The Kentucky Derby Marathon and Mini Marathon are the kick-off events to a week of festivities in Louisville that all lead up to the Kentucky Derby. Our only regret with running this race was that we couldn’t stay in town longer and participate in more of what the Derby Festival had to offer.
Thanks to a special runner rate, we booked a stay at the Mini Marathon’s host hotel, the Galt House. Either we arrived for check-in when everyone else did, or Galt House had people checking in constantly, all weekend. After wandering through the hotel’s maze of a parking garage, we entered the building to find a line snaking around the lobby. As we had time to observe those around us, we noticed many fit individuals carrying gallon jugs of water. We began to question whether we had hydrated enough for this race, as neither one of us was carrying around a gallon of water. Things got even more mysterious when we noticed many of these fit individuals seemed more muscular than your typical marathoners. Though running half marathons has certainly taught us that runners come in all shapes and sizes, our host hotel had a large proportion of guests with muscularly large proportions. The mystery was solved when I spotted this sign: "Kentucky Muscle Convention." The Galt House had athletes from two very different sports staying there for the weekend.
Panic over the long line and proper hydration abated when the line moved quickly and our check-in was completed fairly quickly. By lucky request, we were placed in a third floor room, which meant we didn’t have to take an elevator during our entire stay. The Galt House has escalators on its first two floors.
Thanks to a special runner rate, we booked a stay at the Mini Marathon’s host hotel, the Galt House. Either we arrived for check-in when everyone else did, or Galt House had people checking in constantly, all weekend. After wandering through the hotel’s maze of a parking garage, we entered the building to find a line snaking around the lobby. As we had time to observe those around us, we noticed many fit individuals carrying gallon jugs of water. We began to question whether we had hydrated enough for this race, as neither one of us was carrying around a gallon of water. Things got even more mysterious when we noticed many of these fit individuals seemed more muscular than your typical marathoners. Though running half marathons has certainly taught us that runners come in all shapes and sizes, our host hotel had a large proportion of guests with muscularly large proportions. The mystery was solved when I spotted this sign: "Kentucky Muscle Convention." The Galt House had athletes from two very different sports staying there for the weekend.
Panic over the long line and proper hydration abated when the line moved quickly and our check-in was completed fairly quickly. By lucky request, we were placed in a third floor room, which meant we didn’t have to take an elevator during our entire stay. The Galt House has escalators on its first two floors.
We considered our room to be a jackpot, as it was the size of a small apartment. We placed our race morning milk in the room’s mini-fridge and lined our cereal and snacks up on the wet bar before heading out to packet pick-up. The Kentucky International Convention Center was located about two blocks from Galt House, making it super-convenient. An added convenience: Friday’s expo was open till 9 pm, great for anyone working late or arriving in town late that night.
Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon race shirts The race expo began with bib pick-up and t-shirt pick-up. Justin was able to exchange his generously cut size large for a smaller size medium, while I was satisfied with my women’s M. From there, the expo corralled us through vendor booths like Fleet Feet, the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (http://lscmarathon.com/schedule/) and HB Tune hand bands. We snagged some free tech shirts from previous races (The Great Pumpkin 10K and the Fall Runathon) at one vendor’s booth and other freebies like lip balm and stickers at others. When we exited the expo we felt satisfied with all we had accomplished while there, and we had plenty of time left for dinner and an evening of entertainment.
The view from the outfield at Louisville Slugger Stadium Concerned that tickets to the night’s minor league baseball game would sell out, we walked from the expo to Louisville Slugger Field where we bought general admission tickets to a Bats vs. Indians game. We considered walking the ¾ mile back to Galt House to dump our goodies, but couldn’t pass up an opportunity to carb load at a restaurant called Bearno’s. Having seen a line at The Old Spaghetti Factory that looked very similar to the check-in line at Galt House (it snaked outside and around a corner of the building) we seized the opportunity to eat immediately and were not disappointed. We recommend any runners get their pre-race pasta, here. Both Justin and I fueled up on the chicken Parmesan for $8.99 each (and the cost of a beverage).
As the baseball game had already started by the time we finished eating, we walked back to the stadium, feeling reassured that if the temperature dropped, we had plenty of free shirts to layer over what we were already wearing.
Though the Bats lost their game, minor league baseball is always great fun. We recommend checking them out if they are in town during the race. In addition to entertainment in the form of minor league baseball, we also got a great view from the stadium of marathon preparations.
Our night at the Galt House had all of the comforts of home minus the restless animals making every attempt to get our attention at 3 am. We were mostly ready to go when the alarm rang at 6:15, a later wake-up call than usual. It was a quick quarter mile walk to the race start, another point in Galt House’s favor.
As the baseball game had already started by the time we finished eating, we walked back to the stadium, feeling reassured that if the temperature dropped, we had plenty of free shirts to layer over what we were already wearing.
Though the Bats lost their game, minor league baseball is always great fun. We recommend checking them out if they are in town during the race. In addition to entertainment in the form of minor league baseball, we also got a great view from the stadium of marathon preparations.
Our night at the Galt House had all of the comforts of home minus the restless animals making every attempt to get our attention at 3 am. We were mostly ready to go when the alarm rang at 6:15, a later wake-up call than usual. It was a quick quarter mile walk to the race start, another point in Galt House’s favor.
The view from corral B at the start of the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon Justin’s 1:28 projected finish time was fast enough to earn him a spot in corral A, while my 1:50 projected finish put me in corral B. A lovely version of the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by a country singer I wish I could name. Ten minutes later, the starting gun went off, and much to my surprise, that meant everyone started at 7:30! This was no wave start, so corrals A and B were great places to be. The mostly flat course took us through downtown Louisville where we enjoyed music and water stops every mile or two, as well as tons of crowd support. Our run down 4th Street would eventually lead us to Churchill Downs, where we ran on a paved path through the racetrack. I had been waiting for this moment since registering for the race and was not disappointed. How many people can say they’ve run through Churchill Downs?! After exiting, we ran back into town, through more cheering spectators, and ended at the finish line by Louisville Slugger Stadium. I felt like a real champion when a volunteer placed the finisher medal around my neck, especially since I was feeling pretty secure that I had PR’d again. (The rolling hills of Raleigh the previous weekend made this course seem super-easy.)
Derby Festival Mini Marathon finisher medal The eagle-eyed Justin found me at the finish after I had downed at least five cups of water (should have been hydrating like the muscle convention-ers!) I learned he had PR’d by over a minute, as well. Another reason to consider running this race: it is a good place to run a personal best.
We loaded up on granola bars, chocolate milk, pretzels, Powerade, bagels, and peanut butter crackers at the post-race festival. Justin used his beer ticket and mine to enjoy two free Michelob Ultras while we listened to a band play snappy versions of hit songs from the last five decades. As my body temperature dropped, I was extra grateful for the Mylar blanket Justin thought to take at the finish line (I foolishly thought I wouldn’t need one). Sadly, I hadn’t stuffed my credit card in my SPIBelt, so I couldn’t take advantage of the discounted race merchandise available at the party and buy a $20 long-sleeved Asics tech shirt to keep me warm. (Note to runners, bring cash or a credit card so you can buy discounted race merchandise!) With only a thin layer of Mylar to keep me warm, and in spite of sunny skies and near 60 degree temperatures, I shivered through the rest of our time at the festival and our quarter mile walk back to the hotel.
We were allowed to extend hotel check-out by one hour, giving us enough time to enjoy the post-race festivities and get ourselves cleaned up to go home. Score another point for Galt House: it had the best water pressure of any hotel I’ve ever stayed in, and it delivered the best (and warmest) post-race shower, ever. We definitely recommend staying here.
After convincing Justin to return to the post-race party after check-out, I purchased one of those discounted race shirts and we spent some time cheering on some finishing marathoners. Before heading out of town, Justin enjoyed some beer at the Bluegrass Brewing Company, while I felt refreshed with a cold glass of Mello Yello. While the food wasn’t memorable, Justin says the beer is worth stopping in for.
We loaded up on granola bars, chocolate milk, pretzels, Powerade, bagels, and peanut butter crackers at the post-race festival. Justin used his beer ticket and mine to enjoy two free Michelob Ultras while we listened to a band play snappy versions of hit songs from the last five decades. As my body temperature dropped, I was extra grateful for the Mylar blanket Justin thought to take at the finish line (I foolishly thought I wouldn’t need one). Sadly, I hadn’t stuffed my credit card in my SPIBelt, so I couldn’t take advantage of the discounted race merchandise available at the party and buy a $20 long-sleeved Asics tech shirt to keep me warm. (Note to runners, bring cash or a credit card so you can buy discounted race merchandise!) With only a thin layer of Mylar to keep me warm, and in spite of sunny skies and near 60 degree temperatures, I shivered through the rest of our time at the festival and our quarter mile walk back to the hotel.
We were allowed to extend hotel check-out by one hour, giving us enough time to enjoy the post-race festivities and get ourselves cleaned up to go home. Score another point for Galt House: it had the best water pressure of any hotel I’ve ever stayed in, and it delivered the best (and warmest) post-race shower, ever. We definitely recommend staying here.
After convincing Justin to return to the post-race party after check-out, I purchased one of those discounted race shirts and we spent some time cheering on some finishing marathoners. Before heading out of town, Justin enjoyed some beer at the Bluegrass Brewing Company, while I felt refreshed with a cold glass of Mello Yello. While the food wasn’t memorable, Justin says the beer is worth stopping in for.
Final Verdict: Runners will enjoy a mostly flat course and be awed at mile 8 by a short run through the famed Churchill Downs. The Mini Marathon course was loaded with enthusiastic volunteers, spectators, and fans. Post-race, runners will be well-fed and well-entertained, not only by race organizers, but by everything Louisville has to offer.
Tips for a Successful Derby Festival Mini Marathon:
1. Bring cash for discounted merchandise at the post-race party.
2. Stay at the host hotel, the Galt House. It is convenient to many attractions worth seeing and doing in Louisville, and was clean and spacious.
3. Do your best to stay a day or two after the race is over. Apparently we missed one of the best fireworks shows in the United States by leaving Saturday afternoon.
For more information on this race visit http://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/
Tips for a Successful Derby Festival Mini Marathon:
1. Bring cash for discounted merchandise at the post-race party.
2. Stay at the host hotel, the Galt House. It is convenient to many attractions worth seeing and doing in Louisville, and was clean and spacious.
3. Do your best to stay a day or two after the race is over. Apparently we missed one of the best fireworks shows in the United States by leaving Saturday afternoon.
For more information on this race visit http://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/
RSS Feed
