Derby Race Festival Releases Details

This year’s Kentucky Derby Festival is set for Saturday, April 28, and is the largest annual day of road racing in Kentucky.

Runners participating in this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon Presented by Humana will receive a historic finisher’s medal to take home with them. Derby Festival Officials unveiled the 2018 race medal tonight at Drake’s in St. Matthews. It’s the first time the design of the medal has featured Churchill Downs’ iconic Twin Spires, alongside the Festival’s Pegasus emblem.

“We wanted this year’s medal to commemorate what has become a highlight of running our miniMarathon and Marathon,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “We appreciate Churchill Downs collaborating with us on the design and their long partnership on the event.”

2018 will be the 45^th year for the miniMarathon and 17^th year for the marathon. Over the years the medal has featured various designs from the race logo and colors to the city skyline, as well as a horseshoe, the outline of the state of Kentucky and even the course map. Runners have been going through the infield at Churchill Downs since the course changed in 2006. 

“Watching all of the participants run past Churchill Downs’ historic Twin Spires each year is an exciting part of the tradition of first day of Kentucky Derby Week,” said Kristin Warfield, VP Sales and Partnerships for Churchill Downs, Inc. “It’s clearly a special experience for many of the runners, and with this year’s one-of-a-kind race medal they’ll be able take that memory home with them.”

Runners can also personalize their medals. On the back of each medal the phrase “I Ran Through Churchill Downs” is engraved with space for runners to add their name and official time. They’ll be able to personalize it after finishing the race with Finish Line Engravers inside Runners’ Reunite area. 

In addition to the new medal there are other enhancements for this year’s race: 

• Runners can upgrade to the new VIP Experience Presented by ZEGGZ, which includes: early access to the Race Expo & Packet Pick-up; reserved parking at the Start/Finish Line; private changing area and restrooms at the Finish Line; Finish Line hospitality featuring ZEGGZ chef-on-demand and a signature cocktail by Jim Beam; complimentary runner recovery stretching by ProRehab Physical Therapy; and unique photo opportunities. (Limited tickets available.)

• There is also a new Race Referral Program. After registering, each runner receives a special link to share on social media. If their friends register using that link, the runner will earn credit back toward their registration fee at a rate of $25 per 5 runner referrals (up to $75 maximum refund). 

Again in 2018, both races will start simultaneously at 7:30 am on Main Street near Slugger Field and will finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets. Registration is open online at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com. 

Humana is Presenting Sponsor of the miniMarathon and Marathon. The Official Race Medical Partner is Norton Sports Health and Contributing Sponsors are BB&T, Churchill Downs, Louisville Water Company, Powerade, and The Courier-Journal. Official Bourbon: Jim Beam®. Official Hotel: The Galt House.