Urban Bourbon Half Marathon & 5K
Louisville, KY
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a 13.1‑mile experiential destination race that celebrates more than 200 years of Louisville and Kentucky’s distilling heritage. Starting and finishing in downtown Louisville, the course winds through the vibrant fall foliage of Cherokee Park, one of the city’s most scenic landmarks. Walkers are welcome … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 17):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 75 | 63 | 56 | 56 | 70 |
| L (°F) | 48 | 37 | 51 | 42 | 45 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Definitely 5 stars!
Almost everything about this race makes it one of my favorites of my 25 states so far. The price, the communication, pre and post race options (hint, the theme is … MORE
Almost everything about this race makes it one of my favorites of my 25 states so far. The price, the communication, pre and post race options (hint, the theme is BOURBON!), post race food of soup, pizza, beer etc, bourbon tastings if you like, but mostly for the band afterwards! The band had everybody moving and celebrating, and it was in a great semi-covered location downtown. Packet pick up was super easy; the swag probably my favorite combo of a long sleeve T-shirt, and huge metal. If you’re looking to add Kentucky to your list, this should be the race for you!
would move here!
I looked forward to this race ALL YEAR LONG! I kept joking that I hoped they had bourbon at the aid stations (they did not...but thankfully one of the neighborhood … MORE
I looked forward to this race ALL YEAR LONG! I kept joking that I hoped they had bourbon at the aid stations (they did not…but thankfully one of the neighborhood houses represented! out & back!). The race was actually surprisingly pretty, going through a little park (with some hills…). But of course the after-party was the absolute best part with 10 local distilleries represented. AND THEN, that evening, several local bars had a “treasure hunt”-style deal where if you bought anything from the bar, you’d get a pin for your medal – I was totally into that. Love love loved this city, would 100% move here.
Fun and Well Organized
This is a great race. It's big enough to have good production value, but not so big that you feel you are in a sea of people. It has a … MORE
This is a great race. It’s big enough to have good production value, but not so big that you feel you are in a sea of people. It has a few hills that are not for the faint of heart, but if you can get past that, it’s a fun one. We went in early and really enjoyed exploring Louisville. We also attended a bourbon tasting organized by the race. Overall, I definitely recommend!
Great after race party!
A fun time for sure. Although there were hills, this Florida girl thought they were not so bad. The scenery running through Cherokee Park was beautiful! The after party was … MORE
A fun time for sure. Although there were hills, this Florida girl thought they were not so bad. The scenery running through Cherokee Park was beautiful! The after party was a real good time too! Great weather too!
Hills and Bourbon
Flew into Louisville, Ky., took an uber to the hotel which was downtown Louisville. The expo, start and finish line were all within a mile of the hotel. The expo … MORE
Flew into Louisville, Ky., took an uber to the hotel which was downtown Louisville. The expo, start and finish line were all within a mile of the hotel. The expo was inside of the minor league baseball field house; it was small but nice vendors.
Perfect weather race morning, miles 4 -9 were inside of Cherokee Park… very hilly coming from the low country. The post-race party was held at 4th street live, what a bourbon party!
Chasing the Bourbon
Best post race party I have been to! Lots of bourbon samples and great band! Course was hilly but manageable! Collecting the post race pins at different bars around town … MORE
Best post race party I have been to! Lots of bourbon samples and great band! Course was hilly but manageable! Collecting the post race pins at different bars around town was also unique!!
PR = Poured Right
Great logistics and swag for this race - the medal is huge and heavy. The 2025 shirt is a quality tech shirt and the design is very representative of Kentucky … MORE
Great logistics and swag for this race – the medal is huge and heavy. The 2025 shirt is a quality tech shirt and the design is very representative of Kentucky with various bourbons named in the shape of the state. Course was well supported with water stations and cheering squads. Very hilly (my Garmin tracked 1,741 ft in total ascent), but through fall foliage scenic Cherokee Park.
Lots of options for hotels near packet pick up, start and finish lines (all 3 are within a mile of each other at most) and the airport is a 15 minute drive.
If you’re a bourbon connoisseur, the after party is your place to be! Lots of bourbon samples, great live music, and food. I understand now why some people told me they’ve ran the race several times just for the after party!
Scenic, hilly, bourbon-filled run
The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a fun but challenging race through Louisville. Heads up: Cherokee Park and its tough hills hit after the halfway point, so pace yourself! The … MORE
The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a fun but challenging race through Louisville. Heads up: Cherokee Park and its tough hills hit after the halfway point, so pace yourself! The crowd support is great overall, but it gets quieter in the park. The finish line at 4th Street Live is the real treat—bourbon and a party vibe make it all worth it. And the medals? They’re awesome, definitely one of my favorites!
Beautiful Run!
It is not a largely populated race, which I loved, but you are never alone! The route is beautiful, a lot of wooded paths. Temperature was perfect, low 50s and … MORE
It is not a largely populated race, which I loved, but you are never alone! The route is beautiful, a lot of wooded paths. Temperature was perfect, low 50s and warmed up to 70s for the after party. Louisville has a great vibe. Would definitely run this race again and go back to Louisville. Very little fuel on the course. Not many spectators. Unfortunate hill right at the very end. A lot of great effort into the afterparty! So fun.
Loved it!
This was a great Kentucky race, so much fun! The theme of the race is fantastic, the scenery was wonderful, the weather was great, and the hospitality of the city … MORE
This was a great Kentucky race, so much fun! The theme of the race is fantastic, the scenery was wonderful, the weather was great, and the hospitality of the city is inviting. The packet pickup was a bit lack luster, not much going on, although we did appreciate one bourbon tasting there. I loved the start of the race and the Kentucky derby anthem being played, the course is has many rolling hills, but its gorgeous. The after party was like no other race. Highly recommend this memorable race.
One of the best races I’ve done!
What a race!!! My second half marathon, first Urban Bourbon. I had SO much fun even when I was fighting for my life going up those hills. I am 100% … MORE
What a race!!! My second half marathon, first Urban Bourbon. I had SO much fun even when I was fighting for my life going up those hills. I am 100% running this race again next year. The crowd, the course, the after party… everything from start to finish was awesome. If you’re in doubt about signing up next year… this is it. That’s your sign. Go for it, you will not regret it!!
Great for First-Timers
The UBHM was my first ever race and I thought it was perfect for that. The course was just rigorous enough to be a challenge but also steady enough to … MORE
The UBHM was my first ever race and I thought it was perfect for that. The course was just rigorous enough to be a challenge but also steady enough to not be discouraging. The water stations were placed well. The pacers were SO kind, and incredibly encouraging.
Too Hilly!
This course is considered the tough one to run because it is all hilly in every miles. And some roads are not flat as they are little curve. MORE
This course is considered the tough one to run because it is all hilly in every miles. And some roads are not flat as they are little curve.
Love this course and the after party.
Love the course as it runs through Cherokee park. Race is well run. The after party is amazing. Lots of bourbon. And the Louisville Crashers are the chefs kiss!! MORE
Love the course as it runs through Cherokee park. Race is well run. The after party is amazing. Lots of bourbon. And the Louisville Crashers are the chefs kiss!!
Definitely one of the best
Lovely broad asphalt course through lots of tree- lined areas. Could use a gel station, but no problems otherwise. Ample potties. And yes, one of my top 3 after parties! … MORE
Lovely broad asphalt course through lots of tree- lined areas. Could use a gel station, but no problems otherwise. Ample potties. And yes, one of my top 3 after parties! Best band, nothing ran out, plenty of drinks.
Great afterparty
Overall I really enjoyed this race. The expo is very small which was surprising. I wish they would have had more vendors. Packet pickup was very easy. The course was … MORE
Overall I really enjoyed this race. The expo is very small which was surprising. I wish they would have had more vendors. Packet pickup was very easy. The course was not difficult and enjoyed the scenery. The medal is very nice. The highlight of this race is the afterparty. The band was amazing and very engaging! There was plenty of bourbon to try and the pizza was good. The location of afterparty was great within walking distance of race hotel.
Scenic race in beautiful Louisville!
This is the perfect time in run in Louisville and celebrate Kentucky bourbon! The course is beautiful, but tough while in the parks. Train on hills and you can do … MORE
This is the perfect time in run in Louisville and celebrate Kentucky bourbon! The course is beautiful, but tough while in the parks. Train on hills and you can do it!
Bourbon, Party, and Hills
A great race with great support along the route. Like hills? Many, many hills in this race plus a final steep climb to the finish. The scenery through Cherokee Park … MORE
A great race with great support along the route. Like hills? Many, many hills in this race plus a final steep climb to the finish. The scenery through Cherokee Park is beautiful with wide paved roads to run through. Shots of fireball from spectators along the way to keep you going! The after party with free pizza, beer, bourbon and more was excellent! This is now one of my favorite Louisville races!
Great event - top notch
Overall an excellent race from packet pickup to the post party. The start is first class with the bugler that plays the call to post for the Kentucky Derby playing … MORE
Overall an excellent race from packet pickup to the post party. The start is first class with the bugler that plays the call to post for the Kentucky Derby playing that, My Old Kentucky Home, and the National Anthem. The course is scenic for a large city. The post party is best seen to date. This was my fourth time running & I plan to continue running it. A++
Best Run
I love this race. I travel from Ohio to do this run. The swag and the post race adventure makes it my favorite run. I have done this race 2 … MORE
I love this race. I travel from Ohio to do this run. The swag and the post race adventure makes it my favorite run. I have done this race 2 years and it is going to be a yearly tradition for me.