2011 Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon - Official Results

To the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon organizers:
To start, I have to admit, I was not one in favor of the course change for my hometown race, the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon. Iroquois Park has a lot of meaning to me - I grew up in the South End and have many memories at the park. This is the very place I started running and grew so passionate about my hobby. Each year, I have looked forward to those two challenging hills and the thousands of people supporting the "Mini" when entering and exiting Iroquois Park and along Southern Parkway. Now, I will only get to run Iroquois Park when I meet my friend Thomas on Sundays for our long run.
With all that said, I changed my opinion about the "new route" at about 7:15 a.m., Saturday April 30th, on KDF MiniMarathon Day. I have a new memory about my hometown race I will never forget, and a sight I will look forward to every year. As I approached the starting line, about the time the adrenaline starts to flow, I looked back, Eastward on Main Street. Above the runners and through the buildings, floated dozens of hot air balloons!!!!! What a priceless sight to see. Along with Louisville's staple of an "artsy" downtown, the Slugger Museum and Slugger Field, sits a new image - perhaps the prime candidate for next year's race poster - a beautiful backdrop of hot air balloons on a brisk, sunny morning. I would say the sight was breathtaking; however, that would have altered my performance in the race.
In other words, please do not ever change where we start the Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon!

The route:
Although much more quiet than normal, the route was a nice one. I enjoy runs where we are mostly downtown, or close to it. Louisville has many sights to offer in these areas: parks, landmarks, and hundreds of beautiful Victorian mansions. Here is my breakdown of the route and how I felt throughout:

Miles 1-4: I did not feel good at all. I am not a "pace watcher" by any means. I felt like I was at about a 7:30/mi pace through all four miles. I heard people around me talking about a 6:50/mi pace and I thought "no freaking way!" My thighs were not awake at all! We ran west on Main through some less fancy parts of Louisville where it was nice to se a few people out there cheering! Next we came up to Broadway and headed South.

Miles 5-7: Something clicked and I started running! My body started to feel better as the route took us up South 4th toward UofL. There is always good fan support around the campus. I went from doubt and feeling like crap, to getting in my groove and coasting along. I was not certain of my pace because my Garmin measured about 1/10 of a mile more than the posted mile markers. I figure they were off so I focus on my stride more that the time.

Miles 8-10: The first familiar sight based on prior years in this race, Churchill Downs. I was feeling great as we hung a right on Central Avenue and approached historic Churchill Downs. Another great staple of  this race route is running into Churchill, through the tunnel, around the infield, and out another tunnel to exit back onto Central. I always look forward to the guy on the backside of the infield, with the loud speakers, blaring a race being called..."And down the stretch they come!!!!" After exiting the track, runners head back down South 3rd, around the Confederate Monument and toward UofL, to the home stretch. I felt like I had a lot left in me and I continued steady and strong.

Miles 11-13: We continue the northern stretch down South 3rd all the way to Main Street. I told myself to save some energy for the last mile and I stayed true to that intention. I drank Gatorade from my fuel belt and maintained all the way to Main. There is always great crowd support on this stretch to prepare us for the last mile, where the finish awaits. At mile 12, I picked it up and started to run with all I had left. That short stretch of Main Street, past the 2nd Street bridge to Preston Street, seems so freaking long!!!

The Finish: I was running a 6:25/mi pace, my fastest of the race by far. After a left down Preston Street, next to Slugger Field, the downhill led to the finish line. I tried to see the clock at the turn but could not see that far. As I approached, the time became more clear, and another PR was in sight! I dug deep and sprinted as the clock ticked toward 1:30 and I pushed across the line, smiled, and gave a fist pump at another PR. I knew I started a couple seconds back and that I may have just ran my quickest half marathon, sub 1:30......

Here are my official results for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon:

Another PR, by a minute and six seconds, and 3 seconds under 1.5 hours, a time thought would be tough to reach. The course was fast and the weather was near perfect. Thank goodness the PJ Stadium hill on Central was taken out of the course or the time would have been a little slower. While the course was quieter than past years due to the new route, the upcoming years should provide more and more support along the course. Thank you to the organizers for making a good, although unpopular, decision for the new route. That's why you guys get paid the big bucks! Also, to the volunteers and the supporters, you all do great work in helping us finished the race and meet our goals, and we appreciate the assistance!

Tips for the organizers:

There were only a few changes I would like to see made to this event. I did not see any mile markers or time clocks on much of the second half of the course for the Mini Marathoners. Either I was zoned out or they were not there; regardless, this is important. The Mini generates the most entries and the most support, therefore the most money, and I think the markers should reflect this. Rent more timing clocks or include both mile marks on the signage; whatever it takes to put these in place would be much appreciated. Second is the finish area - what a mess. I have the same thoughts as last year - people are trapped in and getting through that mess is a challenge. Sure the downhill finish is great but finishing on Witherspoon in front of the new condos would help out, perhaps where the Susan G. finishes.

People are always going to have opinions and suggestions on ways to change or make an event better and those are mine. Overall, I love the event as a whole. Keep up the great work organizers and we'll keep running!

Running for the KIDS Center has been a pleasure. Our group put forth an excellent effort in raising money for an amazing cause, the kids. I will and our total fundraising efforts as a group when I get the results.

Up next for me is Pittsburgh (PA), Geist (IN), and Downhill @ Dawn (NC).

 

I look forward to more beautiful sights, great races, and quality time spent with my wife. I will definitely post feedback on these races and will have more scheduled soon.

HAPPY RUNNING!!!!!
http://jamesrunsthenation.blogspot.com/