REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2023 ROAD RACES TOMORROW
September 7, 2022, Louisville, KY. – Kentucky’s largest road race will celebrate a major milestone in 2023, as the Derby Festival miniMarathon marks its 50th run. The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon is set for Saturday, April 29, 2023. The annual event began with the miniMarathon and just 301 runners in 1974. Since then, it has grown to add the Marathon and now attracts an average of 10-12,000 runners to Louisville every spring. Runners can register to be part of the landmark race starting Thursday, September 8, at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.
“One of the highlights of the 2023 Festival will be commemorating the 50th running of one of our favorite spring traditions – the miniMarathon,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “Over the years, the support from the local running community has helped make the race what it is today, as it marks the largest day of road racing in Kentucky. We know there’s nothing mini about it and we can’t wait to celebrate this historic run.”
Registration for both the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon will open on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. In honor of the 50th running of the mini, an exclusive promotion lasting for 50 consecutive hours will be offered to runners. Race participants who register for the miniMarathon between 9 a.m. Sept. 8 through 11 a.m. Sept. 10 can sign up for only $50. The cost is $60 for the Marathon.
After 11 a.m. on Sept 10, registration will be $65 for the miniMarathon and $75 for the Marathon. For the 2023 event, in addition to the miniMarathon (half marathon) and the full Marathon, the Derby Festival is also offering a Marathon Relay ($325) and the virtual miniMarathon & Marathon ($50).
The race has become a tradition for many employees at GE Appliances, who returns as title sponsor of the event for the second year in a row to help celebrate the historic race.
“We’re a company that really values health and wellness. Every year, hundreds of our employees run or walk the race as individuals or as GE Appliances teams,” said Kevin Nolan, President & CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier company. “This year is special as we celebrate our 70th anniversary of Appliance Park in Louisville and the 50th running of the Mini. We’ve been a part of the Kentucky Derby Festival since the very beginning, and we’ll have something special planned to celebrate these milestones.”
The in-person races will start simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, on Main Street near Slugger Field and then finish on Adams Street, just outside of the Lynn Family Stadium, the Official Finish Line for both the mini and Marathon.
The courses for both distances will be very similar to the 2022 event. All race participants will get to experience the sights of beautiful downtown Louisville, the historic Old Louisville neighborhood, Churchill Downs, and parts of the scenic Olmsted Park System, among other attractions as they run. Marathoners will again cross the Big Four Bridge to run along the scenic Ohio River Greenway on an out and back course before returning to the finish at Lynn Family Stadium.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Race Expo will also return race week in 2023, as well as the free Norton Sports Health Training Program to help all levels of runners get ready for the spring races.
While 2023 marks the 50th annual miniMarathon, it also signifies the 22nd annual Marathon. More information is available at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com, along with FAQs to help answer questions about the 2023 event.
GE Appliances is the Title Sponsor of the miniMarathon and Marathon. Official Race Medical Provider & Training Partner: Norton Sports Health. Official IT Partner: Deloitte. Contributing Sponsors are Churchill Downs, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Louisville Water Company, Powerade and Vyfy Wellness Club. Official Credit Union: Commonwealth Credit Union. Official Finish Line Sponsor: Louisville City FC/Racing Louisville FC. Official Bourbon: Bardstown Bourbon. Official Tequila: Don Julio. Official Refuel Partner: Prairie Farms. Official Hotel: The Galt House. Official Pace Team: Dick’s Sporting Goods.
