Category Archives: Races and Events

The IMM is one of the 20 largest marathons in the US. 2016 brings new sponsor to the race making it the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. I would say this is one of the best races around, especially for a fall marathon on a fast course. Starting and finishing at the Indiana State Capitol, the course highlights landmarks and historical neighborhoods throughout Indianapolis.

Along with a half marathon, 5k, and kids fun run, race weekend is full of events for the entire family. The Monumental Health and Fitness Expo at the Indiana Convention Center kicks off the event with two days of talented expo speakers, vendors, and opportunities to show your monumental spirit.

 

Date: November 5, 2016
Time: 07:00 a.m.
Event: Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - November 5, 2016 - Indianapolis, IN
Sponsor: Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Venue: Indianapolis, IN
Location: Indianapolis, IN
United States
Public: Public
Registration: Click here to register.

The 3rd Annual Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is Oct 22, 2016 in beautiful Louisville, KY. The event, although in its 5th year, was known as the Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon in 2012 and 2013 before becoming the Urban Bourbon Half in 2014. The UBHM is a representation of the strong ties to Kentucky and the bourbon industry.

Date: October 22, 2016
Time: 08:00 a.m.
Event: Urban Bourbon Half Marathon - Oct 22, 2016 - Louisville, KY
Sponsor: Louisville Sports Commission
Location: Louisville, KY
Public: Public
Registration: Click here to register.
More Info: Click here for more information.

If you're looking for a fall marathon that is beautiful and exciting, this is the one for you!

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Review: 2015 Urban Bourbon Half Marathon

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“Disclaimer: I received entry into The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

2015 Urban Bourbon Half Marathon Finisher's Medal
BibRavePros Angie, Josh, Erica, and Jessica with Race Director Michael Clemons

BibRavePros Angie, Josh, Erica, and Jessica with Race Director Michael Clemons

The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a continuation of the Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon that dates back to 2012. In 2014, after merging with Republic Bank Big Hit Half Marathon, the LSC Half Marathon became the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon focusing on a “fallrunathon” series that starts in September with a 5K and 10K before finishing with the 13.1 fall run. This was my second Urban Bourbon Half (2014 Review) and third LSC (2013 Review) produced half.

The weather varies greatly from year to year based on the unpredictable forecast of the Ohio Valley. This year’s weather was a near perfect 65 degrees and cloudy. It did rain a few times throughout the run, but they were usually spot showers and not heavy rain. The temperature made it nice not only during the race but also at the post-race celebration.

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2015 Ky Derby Festival miniMarathon

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2015 KDF mini/Marathon Starting Line

2015 KDF mini/Marathon Starting Line

The 2015 Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) miniMarathon was my second KDF and fifth half-marathon distance race. This race was my first as a @BibRave #bibravepro, although the entry fees were paid 100% in full by me. 

On the first Saturday in May, Louisville, Kentucky hosts the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is commonly referred to as the “fastest two minutes in sports”. If you love Thoroughbred racing, the Derby is something that should be on your bucket list. If you love racing and horses, the KDF mini/Marathon is definitely for you. The two to three weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby is a huge party that encompasses Louisville, the Kentucky Derby Festival. Throughout the KDF, events such as Thunder Over Louisville (North America’s largest fireworks show), Great Steamboat Race, Fest-A-Ville, and of course the KDF mini/Marathon.

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Race Recap: 2015 Anthem 5K

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The 2015 Louisville Triple Crown of Running (LTCOR) kicked off with the Anthem 5K in an all new course that featured a flat, Downtown Louisville map. The course for 2015 returned to Downtown Louisville after a 2014 course that became a logistical nightmare for travel to and from the race. The modified courses are a direct impact from the Ohio River Bridges Project and are expected to continue for at least the 2016 race as well.

Anthem 5K 2015 Logo

Anthem 5K 2015 Logo

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BibRave Pro

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On Thursday I was notified that I had been selected as a #bibravepro, the ambassador program for bibrave.com, hosts of the popular Tuesday night Twitter time #BibChat. To say I was excited is an understatement. When I heard about BibRave last March I immediately joined and began writing reviews. To date I have added almost all of my previous races and plan to add at least four more within the next two weeks.

Bib Rave Pro
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Run for the “L” of it 5K

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The University of Louisville Alumni Association has hosted the Run for the “L” of it 5k for several years. The small turnout of less than 300-400 runners was making it difficult to continue without additional support. In 2014, JAM! Active, a Louisville based race management company took the reigns in partnerships with ULAA and promoted, revamped, and ran an “L” of a race.
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The starting line was at ACC member UofL’s Football Stadium, Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium (the only school owed stadium with ALL bucket seating) and continued through the campus. The sights to be seen included the brand new state of the art Soccer Complex, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Track and Field, and Softball Stadium. Once through the sports complex, the race entered the campus and weaved in and out of buildings that brought back memories of my college days at UofL. (My wife and I went there a the same time but would not meet until after our days at UofL were over). After reminiscing our college days we exited the campus and continued towards the finish line, which was in the outfield of UofL’s baseball stadium.
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The event was awesome. Double the turn out of last year with room to grow. Support was awesome, UofL Police did a great job at closing roadways, blocking other traffic, and supporting the runners. The swag wasn’t too bad either with a nice tech shirt being included (ran a little big) along with some UofL info and a shameless plug from JAM
Active’s other events.

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Will definitely do this one again!

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2014 Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon

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The Kentucky Derby Festival started with the miniMarathon over 30 years ago as an additional event to the Kentucky Derby Festival, a festival of events in the weeks leading up to the infamous Kentucky Derby. This race also hosts a full Marathon as of ten years ago that is now a BQ race, caution though, the full marathon is not a walk in the park.

2014 KDF miniMarathon Finisher's Medal
Jordan Ball (Cousin), me, and Kenny Ball (father)

Jordan Ball (Cousin), me, and Kenny Ball (father)

This was my first Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and by far the largest event in terms of name and number of participants. The amount of parking within a mile of the starting line is amazing and allowed for a quick park and plenty of time to walk to the starting line. Near the corrals there were more than ample restroom facilities near each corral entrance. Corrals went from A – I and were clearly marked. For those more elite athletes in corrals A, B, and C, security was checking corral assignments to ensure the area was saved for those properly assigned.

2014 KDF miniMarathon Tech Shirts

2014 KDF miniMarathon Tech Shirts

Even with all of the racers present, my time from the rear of corral D to the start line was less than 8 minutes and the course cleared out rather easy. The course starts on Main Street in front of the old Belknap Hardware Building that Humana Insurance now occupies and continues down Main Street into West Louisville. Along the first leg, you pass the KFC Yum! Center, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Slugger Museum, and countless historical buildings of Louisville. Throughout the run, different parts of Louisville are seen, including Central Park, the University of Louisville, and entering the legendary host of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs. Once you enter the gates of Churchill Downs, the sheer aura of the historical race track helps generate a second wind. Runners see thoroughbreds in action on the track as they run through tunnels under the track. A lap around the infamous infield (where the party is at on Derby day) and then out onto Central Ave for a split, Marathoneers to the right, halfers to the left. The half marathoners return towards downtown Louisville via 3rd Street and then turn right onto Main Street. The finish line is located next to Louisville Slugger Field, home to the Cincinnati Reds Triple A affiliate the Louisville Bats.

The swag for this event is rather nice. The tech shirts are quality shirt and vary year to year on color and design. The medals are very nice, unique to the race (Marathon runners get a similar, but different medal). Overall, this was a great event and a solid course with years of experience managing the race. The marathon is a BQ event and will test your abilities midway through the run.

2014 KDF miniMarathon Finisher's Medal

2014 KDF miniMarathon Finisher’s Medal

Along the half route there were eight (8) water stops, six (6) Powerade stops, and three (3) Norton’s Healthcare first aid stops. The Runners Unite area included portapots, food, drinks, and a Asics Runner Gear area to buy Asics gear with the KDF logo. Oh and they offer medal engraving!
Read my review here.

We Remember 4.15.13 #bostonstrong

We Remember 4.15.13
#bostonstrong

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LTCOR – Anthem 5K

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The 2014 Louisville Triple Crown of Running’s Anthem 5K was an interesting event. This was my first attempt at a LTCOR event but was not impressed about the experience. First, let me preface the remaining of this post with, due to major road construction in Downtown Louisville (The Ohio River Bridges Project), the location and course for this event had to be changed. The location was in the business park that hosts Anthem’s Louisville headquarters. The area was nice, in a nicer part of town, but it was not designed for that many people. There was over an hour wait from the beginning of the off ramp to the nearest parking lot less than 1 mile in total distance (even I run faster than that), then the parking was inadequate. The race was postponed for 40 minutes and people were still walking to the starting line when I was nearing the one mile mark.

Louisville's Anthem 5K

The course was tough to navigate due to the limitation of two lanes for runners. 6,000 runners on a two lane road means there is absolutely no where for anyone to go. They did their best for what they had to deal with in my opinion. However, the drive out was worse than the one in. No traffic control, just a free for all that resulted in almost two hours in traffic.

My time was no wear near my PR, but I settled for my 30:10 completion after two months of zero running recovering from my November 2013 knee injury in the Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon (read about that here).

Overall, this was most likely a fluke and I will run this event again…if it is in a new location.

To see my #bibrave review of this race, click here.