Derby Festival mini & Marathon
Race snapshot
Race Day
46–72°F · Feels mild
Total elevation gain
Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +20 ft
Crowd Rating
Good crowd energy
The Lowdown
The Humana Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon are spring road races in Louisville. The races start together at 7 a.m. on Main Street near Louisville Slugger Field and finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets beside Waterfront Park. Runners visit downtown Louisville, historic Old Louisville and the infield of Churchill Downs; the full marathon also follows Southern Parkway and Iroquois Park. The weekend includes a marathon relay, virtual options and a Friday-evening 5K. Participants can combine the 5K with the half or full marathon in the KDF Race Challenge. The full marathon has a 6-hour limit and a minimum age of 14; walkers are permitted only in the half marathon. Packet pickup is held at Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center, and participants must bring their RunSignup QR code. The organizer offers a one-year deferral option with a fee and an April 12 deadline.
Explore the course
2025 · Marathon
Questions about the Derby Festival mini 2027
When is the Derby Festival mini 2027?
Saturday, April 24, 2027.
Where is the Derby Festival mini?
Louisville, KY, United States.
What time does the Derby Festival mini start?
The race starts at 7:00 AM, local time.
What is the Derby Festival mini time limit?
6 hours.
How do I enter the Derby Festival mini 2027?
Registration is open. Ways in: Online registration through RunSignup.
How much does the Derby Festival mini 2027 cost?
Humana Marathon: $90. Humana miniMarathon: $80. Humana Marathon Relay: $325. Kentucky Derby Festival 5K: $45.
What is the Derby Festival mini elevation gain?
90 m (295 ft) of total elevation gain. Net elevation change: +6 m (20 ft). Relatively flat course.
What is the Derby Festival mini course like?
It passes Louisville Slugger Field, Old Louisville and Churchill Downs. Course map
What is the weather like at the Derby Festival mini?
Race-day temperatures are usually 8–22 °C (46–72 °F). Feels mild.
Where are the Derby Festival mini results?
The official 2026 results are on the organizer's site. Official results
Is the Derby Festival mini a Boston qualifier?
Yes. This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event.
Prepare for This Race
Running this race?
MarathonOS puts your race countdown on your Lock Screen and keeps every race-week checklist on your phone. Checklists and your race report are free for your first race.
Scan to download
Community
Race Day Photos
Share the scenery, finish-line celebrations, and behind-the-scenes snapshots.