LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the country's top 100 road races is back. The 2022 Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon are set to return in 2022 on its traditional Saturday — April 30.

The Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) plans to return to live and in-person events in 2022. The miniMarathon and Marathon attract runners from across the country and around the world and according to KDF it is one of the flattest of the Boston Marathon qualifying races. Registration for the races begins Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. online at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.

“Our goal is to create a unique and memorable experience for all participants,” said Chris Martini, KDF Race Director in a statement to Spectrum News 1. “In 2022, the course for both races will include the sights of beautiful downtown Louisville, historic Old Louisville, Churchill Downs, and parts of the scenic Olmsted parks system, along with other attractions.”

For 2022, KDF is offering multiple options for runners including the miniMarathon (half marathon), the full Marathon, and a Marathon Relay; plus virtual races for both the half and full marathon. Registration is $55 for the miniMarathon, $65 for the Marathon, $325 for the Marathon Relay and $45 for the virtual races. The in-person races will start simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, on Main Street near Slugger Field and then finish on Adams Street, just outside the of Lynn Family Stadium, the Official Finish Line for both the mini and Marathon. 

The course for both distances is still being worked on. KDF says the miniMarathon course will be similar to what was planned for 2020 including a lap inside Churchill Downs. The course for the Marathon will be a combination of the courses for 2020 and 2021. 

GE Appliances is the title sponsor for the races. GE has long been a partner with KDF sponsoring several different festival events since 1956. 

This year as part of the partnership, GE is offering early registrants the chance to win appliances. Everyone who registers within the first week (before midnight Nov. 9) will be entered to win a GE Appliance — a small appliance for those registering for the mini and a full-size appliance for marathon registrants.

Kevin Nolan, president & CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier company said in the statement, “Louisville has been our home for almost 70 years, and our employees have a long history of participating in this race. We’re honored to unite the tradition of our company and this event to bring back the in-person, one-day race and help Louisville emerge from its most recent challenges as a more equitable and more resilient community.”

To help all runners prepare for the race the Dick's Sporting Good Race Expo and the Norton Sports Health Training program are returning. The website will have more information and FAQs to help answer any questions about the 2022 event. 

KDF says it plans to release more 2022 event information in the coming weeks and months.