The Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon starts at 7:30 AM on April 11, 2026, giving you time to settle in the night before without an extremely early wake-up. The race takes place in Lexington, Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, with both a full marathon (26.2 miles) and half marathon distance available. If you're planning to stay nearby, factor in travel time from your hotel to the venue for a comfortable pre-race arrival. Spring weather in mid-April makes this a reasonable time to race in the region, though you'll want to confirm current course details and any logistics specific to the campground venue.
From the Race Organizer
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.
Course & Travel Notes
The Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon takes place in Lexington, Kentucky on April 10, 2027, with races starting at 6:00 AM—so you'll want to arrive extra early since sunrise isn't until 7:10 AM that morning. You'll fly into Blue Grass Airport, which is conveniently just 9.5 miles from the venue, making your travel logistics pretty straightforward. The elevation sits at 902 feet, so no extreme altitude to worry about, and pack layers for typical spring weather with highs around 67°F and lows around 45°F—though there's about a 43% chance of rain, so definitely bring a rain jacket just in case.
⛰️ 902 ft elevation☀️ Typically 67°F / 45°F · 43% chance of rain✈️ Blue Grass Airport (LEX) — 9.5 mi
Hotels Near This Race
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Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for April 10.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Lexington, KY.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY?
Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY takes place on April 10, 2027. The race is held in Lexington, Kentucky.
Where is Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY held?
Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY is held at Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, Kentucky.
Where can I find hotels near Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 — Lexington, KY?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Lexington. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
