Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

Come Run With The Horses in Lexington in our 12th Annual Horse Cap!

Join us on Saturday, April 10, 2027, for the 12th Annual Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon. Run on one of the most beautiful marathon/half marathon courses in the United States, passing over 50 Central Kentucky horse farms. You will never be out of sight of a horse farm!

Race Features

• Scenic course: Passing by 50+ Central Kentucky horse farms.
• Performance shirts: Men's and women's cut/sizing available.
• Custom medals: Finisher's medals for all participants.
• Awards: Kentucky Horse Country inspired awards.
• Post-race: Stretching available after the race.
• Free race photos: 2 photographers to capture your moments.
• Hydration stations: 19 stations serving water and electrolyte drinks (8 for half).
• Race pacers: Thanks to ForWord Running.
• Convenient location: Near I-75/64 with 8 hotels within 3 miles of Start/Finish.
• Virtual option: For those who can't join in person.

Race Details

Our race will start at 7:30 AM from the Kentucky Horse Park Campground Area. A short section (beginning and end of the race) will be on the Legacy Trail with 98% being in scenic Central Kentucky country roads passing by 50+ Central Kentucky horse farms.

This race will be staged in Lexington, Kentucky, commonly referred to as the Horse Capital of the World. Our Marathon/Half Marathon will begin together at 7:30 AM and will have a 6-hour maximum duration (per our city permit). This means that those competing in the marathon must keep a 14 minute 30 second/mile pace or better to complete the race in time.

Packet Pickup Opportunities

• Thursday, 4/8 from 3-6 PM: at J&H Outdoors (189 Moore Drive, Lexington, KY 40503).
• Friday, 4/9 from 2-6 PM: at J&H Outdoors (189 Moore Drive, Lexington, KY 40503).
• Saturday (race day), 4/10 from 6:00-7:15 AM: at the KY Horse Park Campground Area (race venue) - This PPU is only for out of town, out of state runners.

Pick up for family/friends is fine and encouraged. The more that can pick up on Thursday/Friday the better. No credentials or ID necessary.

Additional Information

All in-person and virtual participants will receive a 12th Annual commemorative performance/technical shirts and finishers' medals and a run through a beautiful, rolling course through Horse County.

Our race benefits Bluegrass Farms Charities who are the "Heart & Hands of Thoroughbred Racing." Founded in 2003, Bluegrass Farms Charities is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing health and human services to people working in Central Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry.

Please follow us on FACEBOOK

MARATHON (26.2) ROUTE (1300 elevation, 19 hydration stations)

HALF MARATHON (13.1) ROUTE (600 elevation, 8 hydration stations)

Hotels Near Race Venue

There are 8-10 hotels located within 3 miles of the Kentucky Horse Park (Including Fairfield Inn, Embassy Suites, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, GLo Hotel, La Quinta Inn, Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, Residence Inn by Marriott). We do not have any room blocks with these hotels as it is horse racing season at Keeneland Racetrack so the hotels don’t enter into those arrangements in April. Here is a HOTEL LIST of these hotels off I-64/i-75 most at Newtown Pike (Exit 115).

GPS Address for the Race

3785 Campground Road, Lexington, KY 40511 (It is NOT 4089 Iron Works Parkway - This address will take you to the KY Horse Park). We are not holding the race inside of the KY Horse Park which is 1/3rd mile EAST of the KY Horse Park Main Entrance.

More Information

For more details, visit our race page: Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon.