Name: Kentucky Derby Festival Race Weekend
Start: 2026-04-24
End: 2026-05-25
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

About the Event

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.

Races Offered

KDF Race Challenge 5K & Humana Marathon

Apr 24, 2026

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Distance — KDF Race Challenge 5K & Humana Marathon

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:00

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$105.00

KDF Race Challenge 5K & Humana minMarathon

Apr 24, 2026

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Distance — KDF Race Challenge 5K & Humana minMarathon

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:00

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$95.00

Kentucky Derby Festival 5K Presented by First Urology

Apr 24, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:00

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$45.00

2026 5K Presented by First Urology

Apr 24, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:30

Humana Marathon

Apr 25, 2026

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Distance — 26.2 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$60.00

Humana Marathon Relay

Apr 25, 2026

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Distance — 26.2 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$325.00

Humana Virtual Marathon

Apr 25, 2026

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Distance — 26.2 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$50.00

Humana Virtual miniMarathon

Apr 25, 2026

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Distance — 13.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$50.00

Humana miniMarathon

Apr 25, 2026

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Distance — 13.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

sell

$52.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Louisville.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 8.4° / 19.8°

wb_sunny 5.4° / 16.8°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 12.6 /

water_drop 67.2%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 8.4° / 19.8°

wb_sunny 5.4° / 16.8°

air 12.6 km/h

water_drop 67.2%

About Louisville

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is known for the Kentucky Derby horserace and as the "gateway to the south" from southern Indiana. It's a lively mid-sized city with an excellent dining scene, ample opportunities for bourbon tasting, and interesting public art. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball — the Louisville Slugger.