Online registration was simple; inexpensive cost ($25). Registration includes a ticket to that night's Bats baseball game, with additional tickets $3 each. Easy packet pickup the night before at a local running store or that morning. Race start/finish at Slugger Field (AAA ballpark) with ample free parking. Restrooms at Slugger were open so plenty of facilities. The race course zig-zags through Waterfront Park. It's described as scenic, but only if you're really into the different shades of brown that make up the Ohio River. It's mostly concrete path, with a lot of 90 degree turns. The race volunteers were great at directing the runners in the first half, but then they seemed to disappear and some people took a wrong turn towards the end. During the 3rd mile, there's a section of the course that is just the path — about 8-10' wide — and runners are going both ways. (With construction actively going on.) Add a giant puddle into the mix and things got a little tricky. Not a huge fan of the course because of the number of turns, but races in Downtown Louisville are difficult right now because of the ongoing road work (optimistic that will improve).

First place male and female receive a custom Louisville Slugger bat and the opportunity to throw out the game's first pitch that night. All participants can enjoy a pancake and bacon breakfast at Slugger Field after the race, with lots of door prizes raffled off and standard age group awards.

Expect a marathon-style expo the day before at Louisville Slugger Field. You can pick up your bib, purchase official race gear, grab last minute needs from Fleet Feet, and more. The shirt this year was a cotton short sleeve, nothing exciting. Race day parking can be a challenge if you try to get too close. But, with the main downtown stretch all on Broadway, there aren't many street closings. If you're willing to do a little more warm-up/cool-down, you can park on Market near one of the coffee/brunch spots.

There are quite a few port-a-johns at the start but expect a line. Get in it early.

My best piece of advice for this race: Absolutely do not go out fast. Right at the 1-mile marker you're going to hit a hill more than a quarter-mile long and averaging 6% grade. This hill can break you and ruin the rest of your race. Go out on your target pace — and not faster — and ease up the hill. Pick it back up on the flat and downhill that follow. Then there's another hill that deceptively hard, with two or three more small rolling hills later.

Also, be mindful of your tangents. Take a look at the race map ahead of time. There are a lot of S-curves along wide, four-lane roads. Don't waste too much time trying to get from side to side.

When you make the last right back on to Broadway, you've got about nine-tenths of a mile to go. Don't kick too early. There's a clock at the 6 mile marker, on your right, so keep an eye out for that to gauge distance. The finish is farther away than it looks!

This is not the easiest course, but with the Papa John's 10 miler capping off the series, you'll need some hill training anyway.

Perks of this race include cash prizes to the top 5 overall in each gender and top 3 in each age group.

Louisville Lovin’ The Hills is a decade-only trail race that currently includes a 50k, 15 miler and 6 miler. The distances provide options for those wanting to get into trail running, for marathoners-in-training looking for long-run variety, and for ultra runners of all abilities.
This year's race swag included a great long-sleeve shirt with a hood and one of my favorite quotes on the back, and a custom-printed Buff UV Half-Buff. No complaints there. Packet pickup is offered at a local running store the day before.
The sun wasn’t quite up yet when I parked, but it dawn was coming and looking beautiful. Jefferson Memorial Forest is a true gem, just about 30 minutes from Downtown Louisville.
Pre-run secret: there were only two portajohns at the start, but if you run a quarter mile past the start (along the gravel road that the race starts on), there's a few more.
The race course is in, um, a cloverleaf shape … that’s a stretch but it’s the best way to explain it. The first 6 miles were one loop, then you came back past the start/finish area, then there was a straight stretch and another 2 mile loop, then another straight piece and then another 2 mile loop, then you come back. So several out-and-back bits where you got to see the other runners.
After we went through the start area after the first 6 miles, we ran a nice pine-needled stretch and popped out on top of the most beautiful lake. Just gorgeous. Then we had a section that included stone steps down a hill, then a little loop and then back up the stone steps. The steps are probably a half-mile stretch and are in sets of five or six steps with short trail sections between.
You'll also get to check out the GoAPE obstacle course around mile 10.
This year's iteration was 15.38 miles long, which seemed pretty consistent over several GPS readings and in line with what the race directors expected. I recorded 2,400 feet of elevation gain over the course.
The post-race spread was fantastic — homemade food including chill, cookies and chicken salad, plus lots of other snacks and hot chocolate.
Overall, if you’re looking for a longer trail race in the early months, this is a great option. Due to the evolving nature of Jefferson Memorial, the exact course tends to change from year to year but it is always a great event.