Thanks so much for throwing such a wonderful event. I would especially like to thank all the volunteers. This was a well orgaznized event, which had great premiums.
Patrick S. Finerty
Chicago, IL

I had a wonderful time running the inaugural marathon. The neighborhoods around the highlands and Cherokee Park were beautiful and the choir in Cherokee Park was a great boost!
Andy McGarvey
Cincinnati, OH

Ah, there is nothing like Louisville in the spring! I'm a graduate of the University of Louisville Dental School and have run the mini for over 20 years. I have run marathons in Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, the Boston and New York marathons as well as others. There is always something special about coming home to Louisville to run the mini. Having run the inaugural marathon, I hope the directors of this race work hard to promote it to the level that this proud city deserves. There is certainly no finer course than the settings of Louisville's municipal parks. The music and atmosphere in Cherokee Park will be one I will always cherish. See you in 2003.
Jeffrey T Taylor, DMD
Enumclaw, WA

As always, the Loisville mini-marathon is a tribute to the fine people of the city of Louisville. Your hospitality and support is one of a kind. I had a blast! Thank you for all the fond memories, especially the exit of Cherokee Park- the yelling and the cheering brought tears to my eyes. Thank you all.
Anne Priddy
Tallahassee, Fl

This is my first! My cousin, who is 28, threw down the gauntlet for this 44 year old who has been a recreational runner. I am looking forward to running my first marathon.
David Balthrop
Murray, KY

This will be my 28 Derby Festival Mini in a roll. It has always been the main race of the year for me. I love getting to the start early to see all the action that takes place before the race. I don't run anymore because of a foot injury, but I still walk the races. Keep up the good work!
Sam Noble
Louisville

This is my first mini. I am a graduating Senior at the University of Louisville and am going to be on of the walkers in this great event. I need to also do this event for extra credit in Rhythm and Dance class. Wish me Luck!!!
Ava Marie Bemiss
Frankfort, KY

I am bringing a class of 21 students from Ball State University who are all first time marathoners. Look for the people in the bright yellow t-shirts and give them your support, will you? Thanks.
david whitsett
muncie, indiana

Hello! I am very excited to run the mini-marathon this year. It will be my very first. Before this year, I had only run 5K’s. My boyfriend, an avid runner, has tried and tried to get me to run a 10K. I always thought over 6 miles, mind you anything over 3.1 miles, NO WAY! I finally gave in to his persistent suggestion this year and decided to sign up for the Rodes City Run. I started training for the 10K in January with the goal of being able to run 6 miles at least by the week before the City Run. I reached my goal much earlier than I had planned being able to run over a whole hour! I thought hey, I can keep going and maybe run the whole thing. I had actually signed up for the entire triple crown, thinking well I could run at least 6 miles of the 10 miler and the mini. So I had already set myself up for running all the races. My boyfriend was shocked when I told him my new plan to run the entire triple crown. He said that if I could run the 10- miler, I could probably do the mini. The 10 miler has come and gone and I am still going strong. Mini-marathon here I come! I may not be fast, but I will definitely finish! Good luck to everyone!
Jenny
Louisville, KY

The three members of Team California Pizza Kitchen are ready to take on the hills of the Mini. Good luck and say "hi" as you pass me.
Bryan Kidd
Louisville

I am a Louisville native and a 1985 graduate of Fairdale H.S. Since graduating from WKU in 1989 I have lived in Washington D.C., back in Louisville, and currently in S.C. This year I will run the mini for the eleventh time dating back to 1982. I have run full marathons all over the country including New York and Chicago but the mini is the only half marathon I have ever run. I love the course, the crowd and it provides for great homecoming for my wife, Suzanne, and our family each year. I am looking forward to the 30th running this year. The committee should consider a 5/10/15/20+ year club to recognize the many repeat runners. Keep up the good work!
Darrell Clark
Lexington, SC

Here's what I recommend: do the mini (my seventh in a row - great event!), shower up, then head to Ernesto's for some fine Mexican food. Then catch the Bats Saturday night. Perfect day!
Kevin Krantz
Nolensville, TN

Last year I lived in Lexington, KY and ran in the Mini Marathon. That was the best time of my life. I was so amazed that the other runners were so nice to me and you always had some one to talk to. Even though I didn't make it to KY this year ill be there next spring.
Larry FElton
Pawleys Island, SC

I thought the race course was excellent in it’s topography. It was a good course to run.
Duane Ridenhour
Union Grove, AL

Thanks for putting on such a great race! It was wonderful and I will be back!
Bethany Johnson
Rockford, IL

I would like to thank you for another great race. Your organization puts on a top-notch race that I’m very proud to run.
Thomas Popp
Jeffersonville, IN

I want you to know that my KDF Marathon experience was absolutely wonderful! Keep up the good work!
Mike Lynch
Frankfort, KY

I'm 42 years old and this was my 27th mini. Have been doing them since I was 15. I've gotten slower over the years, running from the 1:20s all the way to my current level of around 2 hours. This mini was extra special for me. I dedicated this race to my good friend Ron Whelan, whom I developed a friendship with while competing against him in the mile and two-mile back in high school (I ran for Doss High and he for Valley). Ron has run about 15 mini marathons with me over the years but had to bow out this year because he got shipped to the Persian Gulf about 6 weeks ago. Ron is a navigator in the Air Guard. I carried a small American Flag with me during the race and was amazed at the responce I got from the fans along the course when I waved it. It gave me goose bumps when I turned the final corner at Market Street and the crowd went nuts over the flag. Ron, this race was for you buddy. Thanks for protecting us all. My heart (and my 30th anniversary medal) go out to you. Come home safe and hopefully, next year you'll be back on the course kicking my butt next year.
Bubby Hill
Louisville

I have been running the mini marathon since the 10th one, (red t-shirt) making this my 21st in a row. I am wondering if there are other females out there that have run that many? I hear about the men, but not the women. This was my worst time ever, due to leg cramps, but I feel sure that I will be out there again next year.
Maggie Koontz Eden
Simpsonville KY

I came with the Ball State Crew in our bright yellow shirts...I just wanted to thank everyone for their support, our friends, families, and especially our professors! They've helped 21 people reach their dreams! Thanks Dave and Scott!
Sarah Komasinski
Muncie, Indiana

I LOVE the course! I like how you took us thru so much different scenery-the parks, Churchill Downs, waterfront, nice houses, etc. Thanks
Lisa Promenschenkel
(50 stater from Chicago)

The marathon itself was great, very well organized with plenty of volunteers on the course
Marty Winkel
Titusville, FL

I’m a long time runner, competing in races, 10 of them marathons, all over the southeast, but yours stood above the rest.
Molly Maloney
West Palm Beach, FL

Looking forward to my first mini!
Chris Scholl
Omaha, NE

My experience in the 2002 mini was wonderful! The course was beautiful and the crowd and volunteers were terrific. I especially enjoyed the Iroquois Park area. I will be back this year for the marathon and look forward to taking in more of your beautiful city.
Charles Gee
West Columbia, SC

I am 17 years old and I am running my first fulll marathon this year and I am just running it to complete it, not to try and get some great time. I am really excited, but nervous. Any words of encouragement?
Lauren Fanning
Louisville, ky

Running the inaugural marathon was wonderful last year. I loved coming back to city I was born and grew up in. We ran past the hospital I was born in, the college I went to (Spalding) and while the crowds were great, my biggest praise goes to the police officers holding back traffic and the volunteers handing out water! I'm really looking forward to running this second one and celebrating my birthday with everyone in Louisville!
Sandra Lyda
Newberg, Oregon

Thank you so much for the inaugural marathon. This event was my first full marathon. I had a wonderful time. I would also like to thank the residents of Louisville for thier support. I am returning for my fourth full marathon. I hope the weather is nice. BTW. I really love the nice shirt we got last year. PLEASE KEEP THAT UP! I wear it all the time when running in the cold!!! I should have bought an extra one last year as I may end up wearing this one out!!! That was excellent... (and I especially liked that you could see a difference between the full and half shirts!)
Duane Flesburg
Dayton, OH

Last year a friend encouraged me to try the mini-marathon with her. We were just thrilled to try it as we are both recreational runners. This year our teenage daughters are joining us. There is nothing to describe how proud we are that they are joining us. Thanks for the opportunity for some great mother/daughter bonding. The people of Louisville are so warm and welcoming. We can't wait to get there!
Lisa Willis
Barboursville, WV

I amm the British Exhange SGM in Fort Knox and I am running to show the coperation of pur two great nations
IAn Pothecary
Fort Knox

I am the coach for the best long distance endurance program in the United States, the Team In Training program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We had over 40 participants who began training in January and crossed the finish line of the inaugural marathon. The memories these participants encountered throughout their training and during the marathon will last in their minds forever. Thank you for giving them the opportunity to make these memories!!!
Bryan Redick
Louisville, KY

I was close to 300 lbs. and unhealthy. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, a high heart rate, ulcers, and my blood sugar was starting to fluctuate more and more. I decided to lose weight. I lost over 90 lbs with the help of Weight Watchers. Now I'm running, dancing, and I'm more active than I've ever been. The mini is the culmination of nearly 2 years of hard work!
Michael Brame
Louisville

I just completed the miniMarathon this past Saturday (2003). What a great race! It was my first 1/2'er and I loved it. The people of Louisville are great! I worked hard to drop 40 lbs to get ready for the race! It was a bit colder than I would have liked but easily the best run race I have been in! I'll be back!
Joel Gray
Carrollton, GA

Wonderfully managed and supported race. Also, the course through the park was spectacular.
Stuart Lazarus
Columbus, Ohio

This was the first mini marathon I've run. In fact, I'm not really a runner, but I signed up for the triple crown with two great guys who kept me going. As I was running the mini I heard a lady say that this is the only time anyone claps and cheers for her. So, hats off to the Kentucky Derby Festival for helping to build confidence in so many people. It was a great day!
Melissa Mann
Louisville