Urban Bourbon Half Marathon presented by Jim Beam
Urban Bourbon Half Marathon presented by Jim Beam
( 89 reviews )-
Louisville,
Kentucky,
United States - October
- 13.1 miles/Half Marathon
- Road Race
- Event Website
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Karen Brady
New Albany, Indiana, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (UBHM) returned in person this year with a new course and high energy! I have always enjoyed this race...but I wasn't sad to see the hills of Cherokee Park go away this year. The course this year ducked over the Big 4 Bridge and into Indiana for a few miles before returning you to Louisville to run through the city, onto a greenway, and then to the waterfront of the Ohio River, before you finish at Party Central (aka: Fourth Street Live)!
The Good: Packet pick-up is a breeze. Held at Slugger Field in a large, open space. There was a merchandise tent and bourbon samples, as always. The energy at the aid stations was amazing. Especially at the last one. They made me feel like a rockstar with 1.5 miles to go. Free race photos (YAY!). And that after party with the beer, bourbon, pizza, burgoo, and live music. I can't eat or drink any of that due to being Celiac...but this race had gluten-free snacks at the finish line that weren't just a banana...so that was nice (and it's rare that happens). Nothing beats the atmosphere of this race and post-race.
The Not So Good: No race shirt. You did get a UBHM buff, that they encouraged you to wear in the start corral (or a mask), but you had to purchase a t-shirt this year. The course was flat new, but I'm over running races in Louisville and ducking over into Indiana via the bridge. I get why they have to do it (COVID), but...eh. I train on that path, I don't want to always race it. I missed running through downtown Louisville. I didn't miss the hills in Cherokee Park...but that part of the race is always so beautiful. The last 3-ish miles on the Waterfront were a bit wonky. Some girls in front of me almost took a wrong turn at a spot that you could go straight or turn...they noticed little arrows on the pathway and figured it out...but there was no one there to direct anyone. The waterfront section was windy and, at times, on some loose gravel. There were LOTS of turns through there too. AND...I won an age group award, but had errands to run so didn't hang out at the afterparty to get it...and this year it wasn't a bourbon themed award, it was a gift certificate to the merchandise booth. That's fine. I was complaining about no t-shirt. Except I am STILL waiting on the company to contact me back about collecting my award. UBHM forwarded my email...so they did their part. It's a bit of a disappointment. I do love a medal or award rather than a gift certificate that I may or may not actually receive.
Overall, I love this race and whenever I can I often use it as an indicator of where I am heading into my fall marathon. This was no different and the route mimicked my upcoming marathon better than the original route. For a fun atmosphere and a great afterparty....this is the race for you.