March 9, 2026. Louisville, KY. – It’s all about the bling for Kentucky’s largest day of road racing! The Kentucky Derby Festival is sharing a first look at the finisher’s medals participants will receive after crossing the finish line for the 2026 Humana miniMarathon and Marathon. This year’s medal features a sleek silver horseshoe design that is sure to bring every runner luck.
“There’s nothing quite like the moment a runner crosses the finish line,” said Chris Martini, Kentucky Derby Festival Race Director. “The finisher’s medal becomes a lasting reminder of the hard work and determination it takes to complete the race, whether it’s the Humana miniMarathon, Marathon or Relay.”
The miniMarathon, Marathon and Relay medals each feature the race Pegasus and vibrant horseshoe patterned ribbons for each distance. The horseshoe reflects the Kentucky Derby Festival’s overall theme, “Festival on the Move: Celebrating Milestones, Memories and Movement,” while also recognizing 2026 as the Year of the Horse. The Marathon medal also honors a milestone year, featuring a special “25” to celebrate the 25th running in 2026.
Finisher medals were first introduced to the miniMarathon in the late 90s. Over the years, the finisher’s medal has featured everything from the race logo and colors to the city skyline, Louisville landmarks, as well as a horseshoe, the outline of the state of Kentucky and a rose in celebration of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2024.
The Humana miniMarathon and Marathon will start simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, on Main Street, near Louisville Slugger Field. The Finish Line is at Preston and Witherspoon Streets, just outside the Waterfront. Runners in both the miniMarathon and Marathon will enjoy a tour of Louisville’s most iconic sights. The course will wind through downtown, the historic Old Louisville neighborhood, Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby), and parts of the picturesque Olmsted Park System. The full Marathon will showcase Louisville’s South End, featuring a stretch along Southern Parkway and through Iroquois Park.
The Derby Festival races attract over 10,000 participants annually from all 50 states and a dozen countries for the state’s largest annual day of road racing. 2026 marks the 53rd miniMarathon and the 25th Marathon. Runners can register for the Humana miniMarathon and Marathon at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.
Humana is the Title Sponsor of the miniMarathon and Marathon. Official Medical Provider & Training Partner: Norton Sports Health. Contributing Sponsors: Churchill Downs, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville Water Company, Powerade and TEN20 Craft Brewery. Official Nutrition Partner: Publix Super Markets. Official Refuel Partner: Prairie Farms. Official Pace Team Sponsor: Ken Combs Running Store. Official Bourbon: Hartfield & Co. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Timing Partner: Rumpke Waste & Recycling. Official Broadcast Partner: WLKY. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.
