The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile experiential destination event that celebrates and promotes 200 years of Louisville and Kentucky distilling history. The race starts and finishes in downtown Louisville and winds through the fall foliage of one of Louisville’s most scenic parks, Cherokee Park. Walkers may participate but must …
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The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile experiential destination event that celebrates and promotes 200 years of Louisville and Kentucky distilling history. The race starts and finishes in downtown Louisville and winds through the fall foliage of one of Louisville’s most scenic parks, Cherokee Park. Walkers may participate but must be able to keep an 18:00 minute per mile pace as the course will close at 12 p.m.
Plus, something new is being poured out this year — introducing the Urban Bourbon 5K, which is a shorter, smoother version of the UBHM.
All UBHM and UB5K participants receive a long-sleeved shirt and unique bourbon-themed medal.
All registered participants are invited to the award-winner post-race Urban Bourbon Bash, with live music by the Louisville Crashers. UBHM registrants receive bourbon samples, beer, pizza and soup as part of their registration. UB5K participants can purchase a discounted wristband for $20 to enjoy the same bourbon samples, beer, pizza and soup.
Since the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon and 5K is meant for those age 21 or older, you must be at least 21 on race day to register.
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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.
Beautiful Scenery
This was my first time running the UBHM. It was a beautiful course, mostly through scenic Cherokee Park. Communication leading up to the race was very clear. The only difficulty … MORE
This was my first time running the UBHM. It was a beautiful course, mostly through scenic Cherokee Park. Communication leading up to the race was very clear. The only difficulty I encountered was parking. The free parking that was mentioned in the pre-race information had been reserved for another event so had to find an alternative. Will definitely be back!
The most fun EVER!
This was one of the best half marathons I have ever done. From the great volunteers at the packet pickup, the VIP experience the night before, the start of the … MORE
This was one of the best half marathons I have ever done. From the great volunteers at the packet pickup, the VIP experience the night before, the start of the race (the bugle call to the races REALLY?), the spectacular race route and the fantastic after party! Oh my gosh, this race was incredible. It rivaled much larger races and the people of Louisville ALL seemed happy to make this a wonderful experience for us!
Great Race with the BEST after party!
Nice scenic course with minimal hills but it has the best after party of any race I’ve ran! The Crashers perform on 4th St. Live! and there is bourbon, beer, … MORE
Nice scenic course with minimal hills but it has the best after party of any race I’ve ran! The Crashers perform on 4th St. Live! and there is bourbon, beer, pizza and burgu at the finish!
Very good
Great all around, just for $85 more than a T-shirt would be nice Bdnsndbxnsnxnxnqncns xnfnsncnchnsncnxncnsnxnvjenxnxnsndjvjznwncnxnwnxncnwnsjvjskmskvksmnfndmckwksm kandicjfbbehahcjjcjwjcjcjcjnwndjcjejp MORE
Great all around, just for $85 more than a T-shirt would be nice
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Beautiful course and awesome after party
The after party for this race is amazing!! Love band, bourbon, beer, food, and a great atmosphere!!! The course does have some hills as it goes thru Cherokee park, but … MORE
The after party for this race is amazing!! Love band, bourbon, beer, food, and a great atmosphere!!!
The course does have some hills as it goes thru Cherokee park, but the beauty of the park definitely makes up for the extra effort.
(Or you can always relax and walk/jog up the hills).
Definitely doing this race again next year!!
The after party was very nice
The after party was fun the band did a great job. The race course was full of hills. The scenery was beyond boring and there wasn’t a lot of crowd … MORE
The after party was fun the band did a great job. The race course was full of hills. The scenery was beyond boring and there wasn’t a lot of crowd support. The packet pickup had bourbon tasting which was nice but I wish they had more vendors. Here is video
https://youtu.be/bZ0M1f_1gNE?si=gsFeLK0cnbddiGJp
Loved this fun race!
I waited for this race for a whole year and signed up as soon as it opened. The race does a great job with communication before, during, and after. I … MORE
I waited for this race for a whole year and signed up as soon as it opened. The race does a great job with communication before, during, and after. I strongly encourage you to follow their Facebook group. The race hotel, The Galt, was close to the start and finish party and most everything else was walkable, plus it is close to the airport. It was very reasonable and I had an awesome view of the Ohio river. The only thing is that they need better food options and a microwave in the room. I did VIP packet pickup but still stopped by the expo. Be sure to check out the Mohammed Ali Center which is walking distance and is a great interactive museum dedicated to The Greatest. Don’t expect a big expo, it’s really packet pickup with a few vendors and of course, bourbon tasting. Louisville takes their bourbon very seriously…lol! I got a wonderful custom shirt made on site that I actually like more than the race shirt, though that is nice as well. You could pick from multiple decals and have them placed on your pick of shirt or sweatshirt. VIP packer pick up was ok. It was at a local bourbon joint and there was….bourbon! lol! and cheese, fruit, and meat platters. It was ok for a one time experience. Race day was wonderful because it started at 8 and was walking distance from hotel. You self seed and that worked out fine. Quite a few people went to the back to start, along with me, a true back of the packer. They started on time and the weather was good running weather, very cool when still but once you get warmed up it was awesome! I rated scenery as tops, but that will depend on if you enjoy running through a couple of parks, one was Cherokee Park, we spent the first few miles on the streets passing the stadium and a few other points of interest. Then, the dreaded hills!! It started in the park area around mile 3 or 4, I think, and lasted through about mile 8 or 9. I decided to walk the hills, so most of the middle of my race was walking. I do run walk intervals as it is. Another runner told me that after those hills end, it would be rolling hills. This ended up being true, except they added a pretty good incline right around mile 13… when I got up that hill, I said to a volunteer, “so they thought that would be funny, huh?” The volunteers did a great job. Water stations about every 2-ish miles, so that helped break things up, and fuel was about every other stop. The route also went through what seemed to be a historic area and in the park, at least I think I was still in the park, there were some very beautiful houses that we passed. The bourbon bash was the after party and it was the best thing ever! You cross the finish and there are bananas and bagels. They also had a place you could get your medal engraved, which my sister got for me. She flew in and got there in time for my finish, which was awesome! Your race bracelet gets you burgoo (a soup), pizza, a beer, and 4, yes 4, small shots of bourbon! The soup was good and the pizza was awesome! Hot, thick and doughy, not that thin, cold, greasy pizza I normally get when it is at races, especially since I am back of the pack. The band was THE BEST! The singer did a wonderful job and came down into the crowd and sang and had people dancing, it was a real experience and I will definitely do this one again. Highly recommend! Even with the hills and me walking them, I still came in around my average time for a half, so that made me very happy as well.