Course Map
About this Race
The Louisville Marathon is a rolling course through the Kentucky city, winding past the landmarks of bourbon-and-horse country on terrain that undulates through the region's gentle hills. The rises make it more honest than a flat course, requiring measured pacing. Held in the fall, it offers cool autumn conditions well suited to racing. The crowds are friendly and the route showcases the city's distinctive character. It suits runners who want an accessible, characterful Southern course and don't mind the rolling terrain over a flat-out fast time.
Course Insight
Louisville's course loops out from Egg Lawn in Beckley Creek Park along the paved Floyds Fork trail, rolling gently through parkland rather than city streets. The trail surface and tree cover keep it sheltered and scenic, with the gentle rises rewarding a strength-based effort over a fixed pace. November conditions are usually cool and stable. It's a genuine Boston Qualifier course, so pace by effort on the rollers rather than chasing even splits blindly. The loop finish back at Egg Lawn is a pleasant, low-key close.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (300m), tough late hills, lots of turns.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 300m
- Elevation loss
- 297m
- Highest point
- 209m
- Lowest point
- 153m
- Net elevation
- +3m
- Start
- Egg Lawn, Beckley Creek Park (1411 Beckley Creek Parkway, Louisville, KY)
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Race History
The Louisville Marathon is a rolling course through the Kentucky city, winding past the landmarks of bourbon-and-horse country on the region's gentle hills. Its undulating terrain built its character as an honest Southern race. Over the years it drew a steady regional field. Held in autumn, it remains a characterful event in the heart of Kentucky.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Louisville Muhammad Ali (SDF), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the route and full hotels, NuLu on East Market for trendy, characterful stays, and the Highlands for lively, value options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is downtown near Main Street; walk from downtown hotels, running through Churchill Downs.