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Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 362 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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Derek Opperman from South Bend, Indiana
(5/4/2006)
 "A GREAT Marathon to run." (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first KDF Marathon and I really enjoyed it! The course was great. Challenging hills in the two city parks, Churchill Downs was exciting to run through (not to mention to see the horses running too) and I really enjoyed the 2nd Street bridge over the Ohio River into Indiana. I traveled from out of town and stayed at the host hotel (Galt House). The only negative about the whole race weekend was that our check-out time was at noon. The race started at 7:30 a.m. and that did not allow runners who were slower than 3:30 to get back into the hotel room to clean up after the race. The hotel did not allow any late check-outs, even for marathoners. Outside of that, the race is great to run the first half with the half-marathoners and then break away from them at the 12-mile mark. The fans made all of us who split to run the marathon feel great as they cheered us on. Fan support was great, the police did a SUPERB job with traffic and all aid stations were awesome! Keep handing out those water bottles instead of cups. Way to go KDF Marathon, I really enjoyed your race and I know other runners will enjoy it again next year. This is a great race to do, so consider it for one of your next spring marathons. | |
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J. Z. from Michigan, USA
(5/4/2006)
 "Marathon worth running" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I made the 6+ hour drive from Michigan to run this, and I am glad I made the trip. The expo was kind of small (I thought it would be much larger), but the pasta dinner that night was good. Catching the buses in the morning to the start line went smoothly. I was actually glad there was a light rain through most of the race, as it kept the temperatures down. The race started on time and it didn't take too long to get to the start line. The first 12 miles are crowded with a lot of 1/2 marathoners, but not so much that this slowed you down. There were a lot of hills in both parks, but I didn't mind, as it lets your legs use some different muscles. I enjoyed the challenge of the hills. The run through Churchill Downs was great - my favorite part of the race. Everyone was so quiet running this section; we were all soaking in the history and atmosphere of the track. At mile 12, I was warned that when the 1/2 marathon turned off the crowds would be sparse, but it did feel like I made a wrong turn. Not many spectators but the volunteers and spectators that were there were great. Going over the bridge towards near the end was challenging. The finish line went smoothly, lots of bagels, bananas, etc. The medals were kind of disappointing - kind of small and not very colorful. But overall, I really enjoyed the race and set a PR by over 5 minutes. | |
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john allanson from oakland, california
(5/3/2006)
"excellent" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You don't need to enter CD. I really couldn't see anything. On a rainy day a LOT of the wonderful people of Louisville came out. (I did the half.) | |
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M. F. from Vine Grove, Ky
(5/2/2006)
"Very well-organized, fun marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 9th marathon and first Derby Marathon. The Louisville Police Department did an outstanding job blocking off roads, giving encouragement to the runners, and monitoring the course. You won't find better protection for runners at your mega marathons. Spectators were very enthusiastic and stood out in the rain to support the runners. Some hills on the course, especially in miles 3-5 and 15-18, but they were not too tough. The big negative of the course is having to cross the 2nd Street Bridge at 22 miles. The bridge has a loooong incline, but the worst part is that it is made of concrete, so my legs definitely felt that. The finish is in the heart of Louisville with great crowd support. Just watch out for walkers finishing up the half marathon, or you may literally run into one the last 600 meters. This marathon is a keeper. For 50-stater wannabes, this is the Kentucky marathon for you. | |
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S. K. from Jeffersonville, IN
(5/2/2006)
"Good prelude to the KY Derby" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run several marathons before this, and 2 KY Derby Mini-Marathons. I had held off running the KY Derby Marathon because so many people run the mini, and so few run the full marathon. However, the route now goes through Churchill Downs, and with the out-and-back into southern Indiana, I gave it a try. I was very pleased with the route, and I never felt alone, even after the mini-runners split off around mile 12. There was never a lack of support, and the police did a great job of keeping the cars away. The organizers had several EMS riding on bicycles that kept a constant check on us. | |
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Shawn McCarty from Prospect, KY
(5/2/2006)
"Much improved!!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The new course was a winner!!! PR'ed by 8 minutes even with the bridge at the end. It's nice to have the descent off the bridge at mile 24.5. Have run all the the KDF Marathons and will continue to do so as long as I can!!! | |
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B. W. from St. Louis, MO
(5/2/2006)
 "Great First-Time Experience" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I was totally blown away. I had the time of my life. I felt the crowd support was extremely helpful, and the police made it seem there wasn't a vehicle in KY. The number of refreshment/energy stands was more then enough, and the volunteers had encouraging words. I even met some great runners during the course. Ross, if you're out there, thanks for helping me on my first marathon. I'm still on a high from such a great experience, and would highly recommend this marathon. | |
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D. N. from Eastern Iowa
(5/2/2006)
"Great organization, great city, would recommend." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The only reason I gave the course four stars was because I did not like the climb for the bridge at the end of the race. I thought the hills in the parks were quite tolerable. I gave the spectators four stars for the lack of spectators after the half-marathon split. We were pleasantly suprised at the cleanliness of the downtown area. It's definitely a destination to consider other than specifically Derby time. Awesome organization. Seeing the horses on the track as we ran through Churchill Downs was a great lift and positive experience. Good job, Louisville! | |
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M. G. from Boston, MA
(5/1/2006)
 "derby dash" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 112 marathon, so I think I have it down. The Saturday race is great; there is plenty of company when you combine the relay, half and marathon. The expo was ok, the pasta dinner was worth the $9, and the shirts where ok too. The course was a tour through Louiville and we got to see the many different neighborhoods. The race started with hills and then really it was a very fast course from there. NOW for the finish. I must say the beer sargent was out, as they took my one ticket for my one beer. Hell, I just ran a marathon and all the half marathoners got to it first; more attention for the distance runners is needed. As for the water stops... well, handing out 8 oz. plastic water bottles was a waste, not to mention that the caps ended up all over the streets. Other than that, I love LOUIS, and I would go back if I did not have a lot of running left to do. | |
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Kara Messmore from Louisville, KY
(5/1/2006)
"First Marathon - Awesome Course" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First marathon - great experience! Course change made it tougher - did not really care for Churchill Downs and trucking up Second Street Bridge just to run a mile in Indiana was really, really taxing - nonetheless it was a change of scenery. The course was so beautiful and if it hadn't rained I believe that many more spectators would have been out. Those who did watch were wonderful and I appreciate the volunteers who were so helpful at the water stops. It was nice at times to run alone in the quiet where I could monitor my breathing better and just listen. I completed the course in 5 hours and although it was a little tough to watch traffic be ushered back and forth in the intersections before I arrived, it was nice to have the police stop the traffic so I could run through. I wasn't alone and usually always had at least two or three runners in front and in back of me that I could see. Excellent course!! Friendly police... though I would have liked the finish to be a little bit fuller. But hey, the mini-marathon still takes the cake in this town - maybe that will change as we get more people to participate. Keep coming!!! |
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