LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Early Saturday morning, April 27, around 10,000 people in Louisville hit the ground running for the Kentucky Derby Festival's 51st miniMarathon and 23rd marathon. 

What You Need To Know

  • 2024 marked the Kentucky Derby Festival's 51st miniMarathon and the 23rd run of the marathon

  • Around 10,000 people ran in Saturday's races

  • It was the first time in a number of years the races took place fully on the Kentucky side of the Ohio river

  • The Derby Festival website lists the winners of each race

This year marked Erin Lindhurst’s fourth time running the miniMarathon. She said she has been training for a couple of months by running 20 to 30 miles a week.

“I think that’s a pretty typical week, so I didn't change a whole lot," she said. "It didn't feel too bad to be in that routine."

She ran with her fiancé and some of her friends. She said it’s the connections she makes with others that make the sport so fun.

“I think it's a really good community-building group activity, and I just love it," Lindhurst said. "I think it's so fun. I'll probably never stop."

The race attracts several thousand people from nearly all 50 states, and it was the first time in a number of years the races were fully on the Kentucky side of the Ohio river.

Eric Rasinen, 2024 Kentucky Derby Chair, said this year's races were extra special. 

“I love the medals," Rasinen said. "I think the medals are such a tribute to it being Derby 150 and the excitement around this race and around this time of year leading up to that iconic Derby 150. It feels different."

The miniMarathon was only a warmup for Lindhurst. Next weekend, she is tackling a marathon in Cincinnati.

“I’m hoping to take it a little easier this weekend and just get to feeling good so that I can get it done next weekend for the full,” she said.

The Derby Festival website lists the winners of each race.

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