GE APPLIANCES miniMARATHON®/MARATHON

When John Holland ’s big brother asked him to run a 13.1-mile race the next morning, the 15-year-old couldn’t pass up the chance to spend time with his sibling, even though it was a school day.

“I had to get a permission slip from my mom to get out of school,” Holland said. “Of course, we had no idea what we were getting into.”

That was 1974, and it was the first–ever Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon.

Fast forward to 2023, and Holland, now 64, is gearing up to run the 50th miniMarathon. It will be his 49th.

He missed the 11th running due school obligations, and a mother’s note would not have excused him that time. “I was actually there,” Holland said. “I’ve been to all of them, but that year, I had finals in school, and I just didn’t prepare for it.”

Except for 1984, Holland has laced up and hit the pavement, running either by himself or with siblings, and later, with his daughters.

In 1974, the mini started at the top of Iroquois Park and ended on the steps of the Belvedere in downtown Louisville.“That was really brutal,” Holland recalled.

Since then, he has seen many changes to the race, including course alterations, the addition of a full marathon 22 years ago, and an exponential increase in the number of participants. In recent years, more than 10,000 runners have participated in either the miniMarathon or Marathon.

Holland said he’s just grateful to still be a part of it.

“As I’ve gotten older, it does get a little harder to do it, but I can still climb that mountain and still get there,” he said. “It’s really a sense of accomplishment for me. To be fortunate to be able to do it and be a part of it is really important to me.”

Through April 28 Norton Sports Health Kentucky Derby Festival Training Program

15-week training program for the GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon. For more information, log on to DerbyFestivalMarathon. com Sponsor: Norton Sports Health. Contributing Sponsors: GE Appliances, a Haier Company, and Swags Sport Shoes. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.

April 1

Kentucky Derby Festival Racing Louisville Fc Soccer Game

3PM LYNN FAMILY STADIUM

Racing Louisville kicks off the 2023 season at home against Washington Spirit. Join us in celebrating the Kentucky Derby Festival and for an exciting matchup. Don’t miss your chance to purchase a limited-edition Racing Louisville/Kentucky Derby Festival scarf and warmup top! Visit racingloufc.com for tickets!

APRIL 13-23

Stock Yards Bank

Kentucky

DERBY

FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM

April 13-21: 10AM-8:30PM (closed April 22 for Thunder), April 23: 10AM-5PM, semi-finals

6PM SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

$1 per swing. Take a swing at $1 million. Special promotions daily. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000. April 15: Jr. Day – under 18 get 2 swings for $1. April 17: First Responders and Veterans Day –get 2 swings for $1. April 18: Ladies Day – get 2 swings for $1. April 19: College Day – students get 2 swings for $1. Weekdays: Senior Special 10AM-2PM, 62 and up get 2 swings for $1. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 15

JUNIOR DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM

10AM-8:30PM Open daily through April 23. (Closed April 22 for Thunder.)

SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

Under 18 get two swings for $1. Over 18 is $1 per swing. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 16

PNC KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL TOUR de LOUSM

Staggered start based on distance: 62.1 Metric Century –

8AM, 35-mile ride – 8:15AM, 20-mile ride – 8:30AM. Open course cycling event with three distances for beginners to experienced cyclists. Family Adventure Ride – 9:30AM. 2.5mile looped course featuring a scavenger hunt through Waterfront Park. Recommended for children 14 and younger (children riders must be accompanied by an adult).

Entry fees and registration info at KDF.org Sponsor: PNC. Official Medical Provider and Training Partner: Norton Sports Health. Contributing Sponsors: Ten20 Craft Brewery and Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling. Supporting Sponsors: Churchill Downs, Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company. Media Sponsor: ALT 105.1.

APRIL 17

FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM

10AM-8:30PM

SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

First Responders and Veterans get two swings for $1. Other participants pay $1 per swing. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank.

Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 18

LADIES DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM

10AM-8:30PM

SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

Ladies get two swings for $1. Other participants pay $1 per swing. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank.

Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media

Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 19

COLLEGE DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM

10AM-8:30PM

SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

College students get two swings for $1. Other participants pay $1 per swing. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no holein-one): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing

Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 22-30

Kentucky Derby Festival Volleyball Classic

One of the country’s largest outdoor volleyball tournaments. 2023 is 34th annual event. For more information, call The Volleyball Connection (502) 5823530 or visit BaxterJacks.com

Contributing Sponsors: ASICS and Mikasa.

Sand Divisions at Baxter Jacks

APRIL 22-23: 9AM-6PM

APRIL 29-30: 9AM-6PM

Grass Divisions at Seneca Park at the Tennis Courts

APRIL 29-30: 9AM-6PM

APRIL 23

STOCK YARDS BANK

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM SEMI-FINALS

6PM SENECA GOLF COURSE DRIVING RANGE

Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank.

Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media

Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 25

STOCK YARDS BANK

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE CONTESTSM FINALS

6PM SENECA GOLF COURSE, HOLE NO. 8

Free for spectators. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-inone): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing

Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsor: WLKY TV.

APRIL 27-28

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL RACE EXPO AND PACKET PICKUP

KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER, FREEDOM HALL

Two-day Expo where you can see the latest running gear, get nutritional advice and pre-race running tips, and pick up your race packet for the GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon®. Contributing Sponsor: Kentucky Venues. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.

Thursday: 4-8PM Expo and Packet Pickup.

Friday: 11AM-9PM Expo and Packet Pickup

APRIL 28

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL NEIGH-MASTE ON THE WATERFRONT

NOON-1PM KROGER’S FEST-AVILLE ON THE WATERFRONT, GREAT LAWN

Relax and recharge at this yoga event at the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin®. Produced by 502 Power Yoga. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

APRIL 29

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING RUN FOR THE ROPES

5:30-7PM KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT, GREAT LAWN

Special meet-and-greet with OVW stars at 5PM, followed by six big matches, including a special “Every Man for Himself Free-forAll” over the top rope Battle Royal. Admission is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin®. For more information, call (502) 759-7665. Produced by Ohio Valley Wrestling. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

April 29

GE

Appliances

KENTUCKY

Derby

FESTIVAL miniMARATHON®/ MARATHON

7AM

Kentucky’s largest day of road racing with both 13.1-mile and 26.2-mile routes. The miniMarathon marks a major milestone in 2023, as it celebrates its 50th run. Free for spectators. For more information, visit DerbyFestivalMarathon.com

Sponsor: GE Appliances, a Haier Company. Official Race Medical Provider & Training Partner: Norton Sports Health. Official IT Partner: Deloitte. Contributing

Sponsors: Baird, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Louisville Water Company, Powerade and TEN20 Craft Brewery. Official Finish Line

Sponsor: Louisville City FC/ Racing Louisville FC. Official Bourbon Retail Partner: Evergreen Liquors. Official Pace Team: Dick’s Sporting Goods. Official Refuel Partner: Prairie Farms. Official Hotel: The Galt House. Official Broadcast Partner: WLKY. Official Radio Partner: 99.7 DJX.

MAY 1

Jamon Brown Foundation Golf Scramble

NOON SOCIAL HOUR. 1PM SHOTGUN START. UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE GOLF COURSE

The 4th Annual Jamon Brown Foundation Golf Scramble benefiting the Jamon Brown Foundation Empowerment Center in West Louisville. Produced by Jamon Brown Foundation. For more information, contact Danny Mosby, (502) 553-2322 or danny. mosby@gmail.com.