January 8, 2025. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival is adding another race to its spring lineup! A new 5K race will debut on Friday evening, April 25, kicking off a full weekend of racing with the traditional GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon on Saturday, April 26. Registration for the inaugural 5K opens at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 9 at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.
“The Kentucky Derby Festival 5K will offer a unique experience race weekend with an evening run over the Ohio River just before sunset,” said Chris Martini, Kentucky Derby Festival Race Director. “Festival fans and families at all fitness levels can participate. It’s also an opportunity for runners to get a warm-up in ahead of their half or full the next day.”
The 5K is open to participants age 10 and up. Runners who complete both the 5K race and the GE Appliances minimarathon or Marathon will receive a special, one-of-a-kind Challenge Medal to commemorate their experience.
The 5K will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25. Participants will run a looped course that starts and finishes at Harbor Lawn in Waterfront Park and includes a lap on the Big Four Bridge. The registration fee is $45. All 5K Participants will receive a medal and shirt.
COVERAGE NOTE:
The kick-off event for the Norton Sports Health FREE Training Program is TOMORROW – Thursday, Jan. 9 – from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Ave.
Participants of the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon will be on-site to pick up their Official Training Plan and meet with race experts.
Other highlights include: A sneak peek of the 2025 mini & Marathon race medals and a preview of the course map, as well as photo opportunities and the chance to see Official Race Gear.
To coordinate coverage, contact the KDF Press Office: (502) 741-7442.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
2025 marks the 70th year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
