Loved this race...

Expo/Packet Pickup

Expo was held at the Louisville Cardinals Stadium. Picking up packets was easy. We were able to pick up packets for our friends who could not make the expo, but were not able to get there bourbon wristbands because they needed to be there to show ID. Thankfully, they had the option to get their wristbands at the race. The expo was a little small I suppose, but that stuff never really matters to me. The race shirt was nice quality and tasteful.

Pre-Race

Gear check was easy. One of my only complaints for the whole race where is that all the runners entered at the back of the chute instead of being able to enter near your target time. The result was that we had to fight our way through hundreds of runners to get close to the pacers we wanted to follow. The bugler playing My Old Kentucky Home before the national anthem was awesome.

Race

The first 4 miles of the race were fine but fairly unremarkable as far as scenery. They were also probably the flattest miles of the race. Miles five and six had some gentle rolling hills running alongside the outer edge of Cherokee Park. Once you enter Cherokee Park, you have about half a mile before the real hills begin at mile 6.5. The first hill is probably the most aggressive, but some fairly serious hills through mile 9 or 9.5. Cherokee Park is absolutely stunning though, and the hills change up the pace. Being from central Indiana, I am a pretty terrible hill runner, but even I enjoyed it. After you exit the park around mile 10, it’s generally downhill through some gorgeous neighborhoods and stunning old homes. Another minor complaint: the aid station closest to the halfway point, maybe around mile seven, seemed really understaffed. I had to fight through other runners to get my own water from the table. Other than that, all of the volunteers were really truly amazing. The on course entertainment included brass bands, bluegrass bands and others. Really good stuff.

Finish.

At about mile 12.5, you pass the finish line, which is always really challenging for me for whatever reason. So close, yet so far. The post race party and medal were both really cool. Loud, live rock ‘n’ roll on fourth street live. Hard to beat that.

Oh, and bourbon.