Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend
- Date
- April 23 – May 24, 2027
- Distance
- 5K · Half Marathon · Marathon
- Price
- $45–$325
From the Organizer
The Humana Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon is a long-standing tradition held every spring in Kentucky. It has become the largest annual day of road racing in the state. As 2026 marks the 53rd annual miniMarathon and 25th annual Marathon, the Festival looks forward to another historic event. Participants will start at Louisville Slugger Field in downtown Louisville and run through numerous neighborhoods, experiencing all aspects of our wonderful city, including a run through the infield of historic Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Then cross the finish line where they will be greeted by family and friends for our post-race party!
Back for 2026 is the Kentucky Derby Festival 5K presented by First Urology, taking place on Friday, April 24th at 7pm. This race, which debuted in 2025, is an exciting addition to the Race Weekend and also gives runners the opportunity to complete the KDF Race Challenge by completing the 5K on Friday, then either the mini or Marathon on Saturday for a 3rd medal!
Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in our virtual race, which will allow runners who cannot join us in Louisville to complete the mini or full marathon wherever is convenient for them.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
71°
Typical Low
50°
Chance of Rain
41%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Louisville Mcalpine, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Louisville, KY
City Elevation
537 ft
Nearest Airport
SDF
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport · 3 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
310
Days to train
- Race
- Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend
- Date
- April 23 – May 24, 2027
Coming Up
More Running races near Louisville, KY
New Albany 5000
5K · From $25 · 201 E. Water Street
4 miles away
Race to Cure Sarcoma Louisville
1K · 5K · From $10 · Waterfront Park - Big Four Lawn
4 miles away
Summer Sizzler- Louisville
1 Mile · 10K · From $17 · Cherokee Park
4 miles away
Hope Rescued's 5K For Hope
5K · Other · From $35 · Baringer Hill Overlook Pavilion- Cherokee Park
3 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend?
- Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend is a running race held in Louisville, Kentucky on April 23, 2027. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend?
- Friday, April 23, 2027 in Louisville, Kentucky at City of Louisville. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend
Apr 23, 2027