LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) -Kentucky’s largest day of road racing is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, April 26, with more than 10,000 runners estimated to take over Louisville streets. The GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon will make its 52nd annual return this weekend, with both races starting simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Main Street, near Slugger Field.

New for 2025, the Finish Line will return to Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside the Waterfront.

Runners will receive their finisher’s medal after they cross the Finish Line. This year’s medal is rose gold and embellished with the Derby Festival’s Pegasus symbol surrounded by a “starburst design.”

“Each year, the finisher’s medal is a unique design to commemorate the hard work of our participants as they cross the finish line,” KDF Race Director Chris Martini said. “This year’s medal celebrates the excitement of the Derby Festival season and the accomplishment of running Kentucky’s largest road race.”

The medals feature signature colors from both the Race (blue) and the Festival (pink). The medal ribbons say “Happy Derby!” and align with the Festival’s “Happy” marketing campaign.

The Race Expo and Packet Pick-Up will be open in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Thursday, April 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Late registration for runners is available this week at the Expo on Thursday, April 24, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday, April 25 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Late registration for the miniMarathon is $135 and $150 for the Marathon.

Listed are the city’s preparations taking place ahead of the race:

Wednesday, April 23:

• Noon – 5 PM: Vendors begin their load-in at the Race Expo and Packet Pick-up in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Thursday, April 24:

• 8 AM – 4 PM: Vendors continue load-in at the Race Expo and Packet Pick-up in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center
• 4 PM – 8 PM: Race Expo and Packet Pick-up opens in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
• 10 AM: Finish Line Set-up begins at Preston and Witherspoon Streets and will continue throughout the day.

Friday, April 25:

• 9 AM: Finish Line Set-up continues at Preston and Witherspoon Streets. Preston Street will be closed to traffic from Main Street to Witherspoon Street. River Road will be closed to traffic from Witherspoon Street and River Road to Preston Street and Witherspoon Street.
• 11AM – 8 PM: Race Expo and Packet Pick-up in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center

Saturday, April 26:

• 6:30 AM: Start Line Programming begins
• 6:45 AM: Call to the Post/National Anthem
• 6:55 AM: Wheelchair Division starts on Main Street at Brook Street.
• 7:00 AM: Both races start on Main Street at Brook Street.
• 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM: First finishers of Wheelchair Division and miniMarathoners expected to cross finish line.
• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: First finishers of Marathon Division expected to cross Finish Line.

LIST: Road Closures

8 am (Friday, April 25, 2025) – 4 pm (Saturday, April 26, 2025)

• Preston Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street

Saturday, April 26, 2025 4 am – 4 pm

• Main Street from Shelby Street to Brook Street
• Hancock Street from Main Street to Franklin Street
• Franklin Street from Hancock Street to Clay Street
• Clay Street from Franklin Street to Witherspoon Street
• Preston Street from Main Street to River Road
• River Road from Witherspoon Street to Edith Lane (local access to Riverpark Place Apts)
• Witherspoon Street from Floyd Street to River Road

6 am – 4 pm

• Iroquois Park
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Southern Parkway
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Main Street

6:30 am – 4 pm

• Main Street from Shelby Street to 20th Street
• 20th Street from Main Street to Market Street
• Market Street from 20th Street to 13th Street
• 18th Street from Main Street to Market Street
• Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 12th Street to 20th Street
• 18th Street form Cedar Street to Magazine Street
• Madison Street from 20th Street to 13th Street
• Chestnut Street from 20th Street to 13th Street
• 13th Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street
• 12th Street from Chestnut Street to Broadway
• Broadway from 15th Street to 2nd Street
• 4th Street from Broadway to Oakdale Avenue
• Park Avenue from 4th Street to 6th Street
• 6th Street from Park Avenue to Magnolia Avenue
• Magnolia Avenue from 4th Street to 6th Street
• Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 2nd Street

7 am – 4 pm

• Southern Parkway from 3rd Street to New Cut Road
• Taylor Boulevard from Huntoon Avenue to Southern Parkway
• New Cut Road from Southern Parkway to Kenwood Drive

For more information, go to DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.

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