Run The Bluegrass is America’s Prettiest Half-Marathon through Lexington, Kentucky’s majestic Thoroughbred Farms, starting and finishing on Keeneland Race Course’s iconic grounds. Something different in 2023: honoring Kentucky’s historical legacy throughout America – as well as America’s great people, today! Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, grew up about an hour …
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Run The Bluegrass is America’s Prettiest Half-Marathon through Lexington, Kentucky’s majestic Thoroughbred Farms, starting and finishing on Keeneland Race Course’s iconic grounds.
Something different in 2023: honoring Kentucky’s historical legacy throughout America – as well as America’s great people, today! Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, grew up about an hour and a half from Lexington on Knob Creek Farm in small Hodgenville, Kentucky. This running of RunTheBluegrass is going to be filled with all kinds of storylines from America’s greatest President’s life and early upbringing. During race weekend itself, we’ll even be offering tours and visits down to his boyhood home, plus visits to Knob Creek Bourbon Distillery and Independent Stave Company, down near there. Plus, throughout the coming months, the event will be sharing an expose of the great American people. Everyday people like you and us who do extraordinary things, every day of their lives!
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Lots of hills, but beautiful
The scenery was unbelievable on this race, it was all country and we ran past numerous horse farms. The hills were tough, the entire course is up and down hills! … MORE
The scenery was unbelievable on this race, it was all country and we ran past numerous horse farms. The hills were tough, the entire course is up and down hills! I loved the theme of the race, dedicating the race to a specific horse and then having that jockey at the packet pickup. It was a great experience! I just wish I pre-ordered the bourbon!
Do your hill training...
I have had this race on my list "to do" list since I saw the medals. I was excited to run it last year for the 10th anniversary.... but in … MORE
I have had this race on my list “to do” list since I saw the medals. I was excited to run it last year for the 10th anniversary…. but in person was not to be… 🙁
This was a new year looking forward to finally running an in person race. Communication was excellent with emails as was packet pick-up. you scheduled a time for pick up, so as not to be bunched up. As we waited for our turn to enter, there were two ladies answering questions about the race, the area, etc. Pickup was smooth as silk…. Race day… you were assigned a wave before race day with an approximate start time. Something happened that I have never seen at a race before… the waves started a couple a minutes early, usually they start late. Start went off without a hitch. Course directions were easy to to follow. Aid stations were all manned but small… once again not a bad thing. All had bottled water and a porta-john… two thumbs up for that. The course is what it is… beautiful. Don’t expect crowd support, although the volunteers were very encouraging. Finish line was quick, snacks were bagged and handed to you as well as the medal.
Overall, awesome race, word to the wise… DO YOUR HILL TRAINING… the hills are no joke.
Beautiful course
Yes it has hills but they are rolling so you have downs also. The view will take your mind off the hills. Running in the country,awesome. Prepare to take add … MORE
Yes it has hills but they are rolling so you have downs also. The view will take your mind off the hills. Running in the country,awesome. Prepare to take add some time to your race while you stop to take pictures. WELL organized !
Hills hills hills
Can’t emphasize how hilly this course is. None of them are extremely steep, but they are constant for the entire race. Literally. It is tough. Great production, great swag. Fun … MORE
Can’t emphasize how hilly this course is. None of them are extremely steep, but they are constant for the entire race. Literally. It is tough. Great production, great swag. Fun expo. Would recommend, just prepare for hills!
Absolutely America's Prettiest!
Hands down, my favorite half marathon to date. This race is absolutely gorgeous, though beware: SO. MANY. HILLS. I quickly abandoned any hope I had of finishing with a personal … MORE
Hands down, my favorite half marathon to date. This race is absolutely gorgeous, though beware: SO. MANY. HILLS. I quickly abandoned any hope I had of finishing with a personal best and had much more fun as a result. KY is beautiful; there are so many horses alongside the course, and the race organized a fair amount of support (bathrooms, water/first aid, etc.), which was nice. Plus, the medal is one of my favorites too! 100000% recommend running this race – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Watch out for those hills!
Admittedly, I did not train for hills at all (and come from the flatlands of Chicago), so I knew this would be tough, but I really didn't realize just how … MORE
Admittedly, I did not train for hills at all (and come from the flatlands of Chicago), so I knew this would be tough, but I really didn’t realize just how much those hills would take a toll on me! It didn’t help that I forgot my gels, and the aid stations only had water. The scenery was beautiful, but until I can properly hill train, I don’t think I’ll be doing this one again anytime soon!
Good but not bucket list good
I'd read a lot about this race needing to be on any half marathon bucket list. Scratch that. It's a good race, but not that good. I've run several others … MORE
I’d read a lot about this race needing to be on any half marathon bucket list. Scratch that. It’s a good race, but not that good. I’ve run several others that are as good or better. It’s still a good race, go do it… but don’t be disappointed when the scenery fails to impress like the Northern Lights.
Parking is easy, pre-race festival / expo is nice, course is pretty. In the 50+ races that I’ve done this is in the top 10, but not the top 5. Would I do it again? No. Am I glad I checked the box on this race? Yes.
I don’t think this is a PR course, if that’s what you are looking for. There aren’t hotels on site so you’ll have to drive in. There were ample aid stations.
Live's up to its name
A challenging course filled with lots and rolling hills, but some of the prettiest views of million dollar horse farms and scenic countryside. Well supported race, but not many crowds … MORE
A challenging course filled with lots and rolling hills, but some of the prettiest views of million dollar horse farms and scenic countryside. Well supported race, but not many crowds until the end. The finishing medal is classic and the swag is very desirable.
Gorgeous race!
Awesome course, RDs, swag, volunteers. Challenging hilly course but the scenery and the RDs make it well worth it. Plenty of photo ops for those who like those type of … MORE
Awesome course, RDs, swag, volunteers. Challenging hilly course but the scenery and the RDs make it well worth it. Plenty of photo ops for those who like those type of things too. If you are into bourbon and horses, there’s plenty of tours that are organized as well.
Beautiful
It’s a beautiful race and great for a first time half. There’s a lot of rolling hills but they’re not steep. It did not feel like 13.1 miles. For my … MORE
It’s a beautiful race and great for a first time half. There’s a lot of rolling hills but they’re not steep. It did not feel like 13.1 miles. For my first half, I slowly ran and fast walked to take in the scenery. I intend to return next year!
Top notch race
Top notch all around... greatly organized, easy parking/navigating, beautiful course, great post race provisions, and hands down best medals EVER! I ran this as a “fun run” in prep for … MORE
Top notch all around… greatly organized, easy parking/navigating, beautiful course, great post race provisions, and hands down best medals EVER! I ran this as a “fun run” in prep for my full marathon and got to enjoy it! Loved running with the horses with their foals and by amazing farms like Calumet! Also, I loved how easy the corrals were set up. Best damn organized race! Highly recommend!
Gorgeous course and upbeat volunteers
The medal is sparkling and beautiful, the course had mile marker flags that surprised you as you were enjoying each horse farm scene and despite the hills, the miles just … MORE
The medal is sparkling and beautiful, the course had mile marker flags that surprised you as you were enjoying each horse farm scene and despite the hills, the miles just clicked away with ease! The toughest hill has a delightful drumming band at the bottom to pump you up to the top! Just a blast!!!
Hills, Hills and More Hills
Beautiful run in horse country! Loved everything about this race from the expo all the way through to the finish line! The medals were stunning! My only regret is not … MORE
Beautiful run in horse country! Loved everything about this race from the expo all the way through to the finish line! The medals were stunning! My only regret is not being able to get to KY early enough to enjoy some of the Tours. I am on a 50 State quest and I promised my husband I would only do one run per state. I may have to revisit that promise on this State! 🙂
Prettiest half Marathon
Everything I heard about this race was true, it was both beautiful and hilly. I viewed it more as an endurance challenge. The race was very organized, and has may … MORE
Everything I heard about this race was true, it was both beautiful and hilly. I viewed it more as an endurance challenge. The race was very organized, and has may repeat runners. I would recommend bringing along some type of snack or GU since the course only provided drinks. The medal this year was Kentucky Derby triple crown winner Justify and is stunning!
An old favorite
This was my 4th RTB race. While my time wasn’t my best the bling was triple sweet and it’s always enjoyable to run at Keeneland. Already signed up for 2019 … MORE
This was my 4th RTB race. While my time wasn’t my best the bling was triple sweet and it’s always enjoyable to run at Keeneland. Already signed up for 2019
The Prettiest Half EVER!
This should be on EVERYONE'S Half Marathon to do list! From the swag, to the medal, to the organization of this event, to the events associated with this Half that … MORE
This should be on EVERYONE’S Half Marathon to do list!
From the swag, to the medal, to the organization of this event, to the events associated with this Half that you can sign up for, the package pick up, to crossing the finish line with a High 5 from the race director! they even have an APP that you can track your workouts on and get additional goodies at the race. Did I mention the medal! By FAR MY FAVORITE in my collection!
Beautiful race
Very nice well run race. The hills are there but make you stronger. Expo is small but well organized. I loved race swag and option to upgrade to jacket. MORE
Very nice well run race. The hills are there but make you stronger. Expo is small but well organized. I loved race swag and option to upgrade to jacket.
Hills
Very well organized race, no detail is overlooked. Quiet, hilly course through horse country. The best swag with options to upgrade. Awesome medals. Plenty of aid stations on course. MORE
Very well organized race, no detail is overlooked. Quiet, hilly course through horse country. The best swag with options to upgrade. Awesome medals. Plenty of aid stations on course.
Beautiful but Challenging Course!
I thought this was a great race and worth my 6 hour drive to get there. Plenty of emails to keep you informed leading up to the race. Nice app … MORE
I thought this was a great race and worth my 6 hour drive to get there. Plenty of emails to keep you informed leading up to the race. Nice app for tracking purposes. Nice long sleeve hoodie and choice of premium upgrade. And I’m not going to lie, I did it only for the awesome medal!!!! The only thing I did not care for was that they started the shorter race (3.85 I think) first so when the 1st wave started we were running the first mile with walkers and it was packed because the 7 milers also started with the half marathoners. And about 3 miles to go in the half the race merged back with the 7 milers so you had to weave around a lot of walkers.
Loved this race!
I loved this race! It was so cold and rainy but race was still fun regardless. The course has the definition of rolling hills-you run immediately downhill after you run … MORE
I loved this race!
It was so cold and rainy but race was still fun regardless.
The course has the definition of rolling hills-you run immediately downhill after you run up the hill. There is one killer hill at about mile 9.
The course director was in constant contact and was at the finish line to high 5 you as you crossed the finish line-yes cruel joke that the end is uphill as well.
The scenery had rolling green hills and horses out in the fields. Not a ton of spectators but the race was so large, you were never really alone on the course. The race being so large I would say is its only downfall as usually the further into the race you get, the more space you have. This was not the case on this one.
Lexington is a lovely area to visit-great weekend away.
Everything about this race was well done-highly recommend doing it!