LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby Festival announced two big changes for the 2020 race season. The miniMarathon will now take place Saturday, August 22, however, the Marathon and the Marathon Relay are being canceled for this year. 

“This is an unprecedented time for all of us. We know our runners are disappointed that the event is not able to be held in April and we share in that disappointment,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Public health and safety needs to be everyone’s priority right now, and we continue to support that effort. We know we’ll get through this together.”

Cancelations were required because there weren't any available dates for the races to be held. There are already other events taking place and since the Marathon and Relay are longer races, taking more time and needing more road closures, KDF didn't have any other options.

Runners who are already registered for miniMarathon and wish to continue on the new date, don't need to do anything. Those registered for the other races have several options.

  • Transfer to run the miniMarathon. The deadline to switch to the mini is April 25.
  • Run the miniMarathon, Marathon, and Relay Virtually. The allows runners to participate but run on their own time and still receive a medal, shirt, and other perks. Participants can choose this option at their runner profile and have until April 25 to make this choice.
  • Runners can defer their registration to 2021 or 2022. The deadline for deferring is April 25. Runners can select this option on their profile or email minimarathon@kdf.org to request the deferral.
  • Runners can also choose to make their registration fee a donation to KDF.

August usually brings higher temperatures and humidity so the start time for the race is now 6:30 am. The starting line is the same at Main Street near Slugger Field. Runners will still run through the infield at Churchill Downs and the finish line will be on Adams Street just outside Lynn Family Stadium.

This is the 47th year for the miniMarathon and 19th Marathon. This is the first time the mini has been postponed to a different date and the first time the Marathon has been canceled.