Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

United States flag Lexington, Kentucky, United States

159 days left

Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon runsignup.com
Date 10 Apr, 2027
Races 4 distances
Entry fee $49.00 – $60.00
Runner rating Be the first to rate
Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

About the event

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 country course passing by 50+ Central Kentucky Horse Farms
  • Performance/tech shirts (Men's and Women's cut/sizing)
  • Custom finisher's medals
  • Kentucky Horse Country inspired awards
  • Post Race Stretching
  • Free Race Photos - 2 Photographers
  • 19 Hydration Stations serving water and electrolyte drink (8 stations on half)
  • Race Pacers (Thanks ForWord Running)
  • Convenient location to I-75/64 with 8 Hotels within 3 miles of Start/Finish
  • Virtual option for those who can't join the race in person

Our race will start at 7:30am 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 7:30am 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 3-6PM at J&H Outdoors (189 Moore Drive, Lexington, KY 40503)
  • FRIDAY, 4/9 FROM 2-6PM  at J&H Outdoors (189 Moore Drive, Lexington, KY 40503)
  • SATURDAY (race day), 4/10 FROM 6:00-7:15AM 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.

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, Blue Grass 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.

Also, 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.

 

Races offered

10Apr

Virtual Runner/Walker

Running

Distance
21.1K
Start time
00:00
Entry fee
$60.00
10Apr

Race Volunteer

Running

Distance
Race Volunteer
Start time
06:00
Entry fee
$0.00
10Apr

Half Marathon

Running

Distance
21.1K
Start time
07:30
Entry fee
$49.00
10Apr

Marathon

Running

Distance
42.2K
Start time
07:30
Entry fee
$59.00

Weather history

3-year monthly averages for April in Lexington.

Temperature8.3° / 19.1°
Feels like4.8° / 16.3°
Sunshine hours9h 19m
Rainfall4.9 mm
Snowfall—
Wind13.6 km/h (Gentle breeze)
Humidity68.4%
Max UV indexModerate (5.0)
Sweat lossLow
Course conditionsFirm and slightly soft
Sunrise07:01
Sunset20:14

About Lexington

Learn more about the host city, Lexington.

Scenic view of

Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky, located in the Bluegrass Region. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington has traditionally been dominated by the horse industry and is also heavily influenced by the University of Kentucky, the state's flagship university and the largest employer in the city. The horse industry has greatly influenced Lexington's culture and scenic beauty; the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University contribute to a college town atmosphere with a richer and more diverse culture than some might expect from its size and location. Lexington's compact central downtown district is surrounded by historic neighborhoods. Lexington is in the heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is still home to hundreds of horse farms.

Read more

Hotels & places to stay

Things to do nearby

Tours and activities near Lexington, powered by Viator.

Loading nearby tours and activities…

Runner reviews

Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience with the community!

Suggest an edit

Spotted an error or missing detail about the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon? Help us improve.

Nearby races

Explore other exciting events happening in this same region.

Hand-picked events we think you’ll love.

  • Junior Achievement Chilly Hilly 5k Race / Hike Nov 07, 2026

    Junior Achievement Chilly Hilly 5k Race / Hike

    Join Junior Achievement of West Ky for the Columbia Chilly Hilly 5K on November 1st at Audubon State Park! Each partici…

    Read more about Junior Achievement Chilly Hilly 5k Race / Hike
  • Copperfield Caretaker 5k Nov 07, 2026

    Copperfield Caretaker 5k

    This is our 4th annual 5k for a cause, in the beautiful neighborhood of hilly Copperfield! This year we are honoring th…

    Read more about Copperfield Caretaker 5k
  • Officer Daniel Ellis Memorial 5K Nov 07, 2026

    Officer Daniel Ellis Memorial 5K

    Join us as we run/walk to honor a fallen hero and carry on his legacy! We invite you to join us for the 11th Annual Off…

    Read more about Officer Daniel Ellis Memorial 5K
  • KDVA (Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs) 5K Nov 07, 2026

    KDVA (Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs) 5K

    This years event promises to be better than ever. Your $15 Registration fee will benefit the KDVA Homeless Veterans Pro…

    Read more about KDVA (Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs) 5K
  • Throo the Boo Nov 07, 2026

    Throo the Boo

    Dash over and join us for the SWEETEST Fun Run in Louisville! This unique course doesn’t just go around the Zoo but tak…

    Read more about Throo the Boo
  • The Mocktail Guy Presents a Sip & Run, Walk, or Roll: An All-Abilities 5K and Fun Run Nov 07, 2026

    The Mocktail Guy Presents a Sip & Run, Walk, or Roll: An Al…

    Sip & Run, Walk or Roll — An All-Abilities Fall 5K Run it. Walk it. Roll it. Sip along the way! Join Generations Adult …

    Read more about The Mocktail Guy Presents a Sip & Run, Walk, or Roll: An All-Abilities 5K and Fun Run
  • Turkey Trails Louisville Nov 07, 2026

    Turkey Trails Louisville

    Join us for the annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k/Half Marathon! A fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that is perfect for the who…

    Read more about Turkey Trails Louisville
  • 5Katie Nov 07, 2026

    5Katie

    Welcome to the fifth annual 5Katie! The 5Katie event is a 10K and 5K+ trail run, along with a 2K untimed walk, created …

    Read more about 5Katie

Get race deals and updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for curated race picks and discounts.