Sat, Apr 10, 2027

Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

Lexington, KY

Registration openAnnual since at least 2015
MarathonHalf Marathon

Entry is $59 now and rises to $69 after Sep 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $10.

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About the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

The course runs almost entirely on country roads through the horse farms outside Lexington, with only a short stretch on a paved trail at the start and finish. Rolling farmland fills every sight line, and the organizers say you are never out of view of a horse farm. There is a real climb in the mix, more pronounced on the full marathon, with aid stations spread generously across both routes.

Packet pickup runs at an outdoor retailer called J&H Outdoors on the two days before the race. Race-morning pickup at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground start area is reserved for out-of-town runners. Several hotels sit close to the venue off the interstate, though it is a busy time in the area and rooms can be tight.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

13.1 Miles · 2026 results

571finishers
1:10:13winner
2:12:20median
4:35:52cutoff

Top 3: Jackson Watts (1:10:13) · Ross Allen (1:20:35) · Austin Faerber (1:21:29)

26.2 Miles · 2026 results

159finishers
2:47:51winner
4:25:16median
6:36:41cutoff

Top 3: Jon Day (2:47:51) · Will Brewster (2:53:04) · William Sympson (3:04:53)

The Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon has been held every year since at least 2015. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 13.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

26.2 Miles4/10/2027 07:30$69
13.1 Miles4/10/2027 07:30$59
Race Volunteer4/10/2027 06:00Free
13.1 Miles4/10/2027 00:00$60

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Lexington — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon

Will I finish last at the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon?

Almost certainly not. Half the 13.1 Miles field finished slower than 2:12:20, and the last recorded finisher came in around 4:35:52, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon a good first 13.1 Miles?

A field of 571 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 13.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon?

The 13.1 Miles winner ran 1:10:13 while the median finisher took 2:12:20. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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