Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart



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It's Kentucky's Other Big Race

Months of training will be put to the test when runners line up at the start of the Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon on Saturday, April 28, 2012 will be the 39th year for the Derby Festival miniMarathon.  The Marathon will be in its eleventh year, with runners enjoying the scenic Iroquois Park.

Runners in both races will share the same start and finish lines.  Marathon participants will follow the "mini" course until just past the 7-mile marker, where they will split off Central Avenue onto Third Street.  A second race split will be at Third and Breckinridge Streets.  The races will start simultaneously at 7:30 AM.  The 2011 races attracted a record 15,000 registrants.  (Click here for details on changes made to the course in 2011.)

"We're very excited about having one of the most competitive days of racing in the nation," said Race Director Deja Lawson.  "The mini is known nationally for its race organization and volunteers and the Marathon is on target to become one of the top spring marathons in this part of the country.  We hope everyone along the course will come out and support the competitors."

The course will include 16 water stops and 10 Powerade stops, eight of them after runners split off onto the Marathon course, as well as eight scream team locations.  Police will man traffic flow locations; KDF volunteers will manage other areas. All turns will have course marshals.  It includes portions of two city parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, historic Churchill Downs, Louisville's newly designed Waterfront, the Extreme Skate Park and several eclectic neighborhoods.

The Marathon course has been designed to allow improved traffic flow and greater public access to affected neighborhoods.  A course map of both race routes can be found on the race website at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.  The site includes information about road closings and alternate driving routes to popular destinations such as:  Louisville Science Center, Louisville Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center and the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair.  Callers to the Derby Festival Hotline at 584-FEST will also be able to receive traffic information.

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