LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Attention runners. Registration is officially open for the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon.

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky Derby Festival's miniMarathon and Marathon are set for April 26, 2005

  • Registration is open for both races and special rates are in place

  • Runners can go to the Kentucky Derby Festival's website to sign up

  • 2025 marks the 52nd annual miniMarathon and the 24th Marathon

Kentucky’s largest day of road racing takes place Saturday, April 26, 2005. Over 10,000 runners hit the streets of Louisville for the event every spring.

“The GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon have become bucket list races, drawing thousands of runners from around the country and the world to Louisville each spring,” said Chris Martini, Kentucky Derby Festival Race Director.

The Kentucky Derby Festival is offering a three-day promotional special featuring reduced registration fees. Registration for the miniMarathon is $55 and $65 for the Marathon. Fees will go up $5 every 24 hours until the promotion ends on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Martini added, “We’re opening registration with special early-bird pricing, so this is the perfect opportunity for participants to get the best deal of the season for the 2025 races.”

After the initial sale special end, registration fees for the miniMarathon will be $65 and $75 for the Marathon. KDF is also has a Marathon Relay. It’s $325 for teams of three to five runners and the virtual miniMarathon and Marathon option for $50. It’s for runners wanting to go at their own pace.

There is a new, old finish line for the 2025 races. The finish line returns to Preston and Witherspoon streets outside of the Waterfront. It is the first time since 2019 that the races have ended here. The past four years, the finish line was on Adams Street just outside of Lynn Family Stadium. While the finish line is new, the starting point remains the same with runners for both races starting simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, on Main Street, near Slugger Field.

“Participants will be able to celebrate their finish in the heart of Louisville’s scenic and spacious Waterfront,” Martini said. “Runners can look forward to the same vibrant atmosphere and cherished traditions that make this event special.”

KDF has had to change the route slightly to accommodate the new finish line. Runners will still wind through downtown, Old Louisville, Churchill Downs and portions of the Olmsted Park System. The exact courses for both the miniMarathon and the Marathon are being finalized. KDF will release the race map soon.

2025 is the 52nd annual miniMarathon and the 24th Marathon. To register and to have more questions answered, go to the Kentucky Derby Festival’s website.

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