I've done this race three years running and it has been great every time. The expo is small and well organized. Race day goes smoothly from parking to the start to the party at the finish line. Yes, there are hills are plenty of them but I love a course where they say turn left at the farm with the chickens. If the weather is nice, the fields are full of horses. The medal has been nice every year. Bonus - beer stop at mile 11 and then a full beer (your choice of flavor) at the finish.

If you are doing this race to see Lexington, this race has plenty of tours and Kentucky experiences for the entire family during race weekend.

This was a fantastic race from start to finish. They allow for a friend to pick up your bib (helped me since my flight landed after the expo closed). The start area was well organized with plenty of parking and port-o-johns. The course was beautiful- all run on quiet neighborhood streets that were closed to traffic, and you run past several horse farms. Just be warned that there are hills upon hills in this race. I think someone counted over thirty hills on the half course. And what goes up, doesn't go down on this course, it plateaus then goes up more! The finish area was also well organized, with plenty of post-race treats.

This year was wet... REALLY wet. Rolling hills were no joke and it was hard to enjoy beautiful scenery in the rain. But race communication was stellar. The expo was well done. The race director really cares about his community and supporting local businesses with this race, which was refreshing. I probably won't repeat this one, as I would have preferred a mix of running through Lexington the city and Keenland horse country... but this was a well organized race with loads of personal touches in a real fun city.

Put this race on your bucket list!! Amazing scenery, great bling, and a Race Director that would not give up on making this race happen!!!

We decided to make this very hilly race about the experience and loved it. 33 hills, level only at the finish. We enjoyed the variety of activities they had to offer, and the swag options for purchase were over the top. We loved the medal and the beauty. The after party wasn't worth it, though, and we wished we hadn't purchased that.

yes, there were a LOT of hills. but, we all knew that going in. the weather turned out perfect. a little rain mid-race actually felt pretty good. the scenery was spectacular. the half fanatic team was what was disappointing about this race. we were supposed to get some sort of basket at our tent, but nobody seemed to know anything about them. i only met one other fanatic, and that was on-course. swag was top notch, though.

“America’s Prettiest Half Marathon” is a bold statement. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the title isn’t a gross over-exaggeration. It is a very peaceful, serene, and scenic race. The course is completely on rural backroads amongst the Keeneland race track and surrounding horse breeding farms. Runners get to see many horses in their pastures along the course. It is a hilly course with many rolling hills and some steep, challenging climbs. However, there are plentiful aid stations and many supportive volunteers. Quality finisher medal. Quality expo. And the event is welcoming to all abilities. Before each corral is released, a bugler plays the call to the gate and each wave of runners is ceremoniously counted down and sent off as if they were the initial wave. A fantastic event that belongs on every runner’s to do list.

What an experience!! The race director and all associated with the race deserve a standing ovation. The pre race emails were great. The tours of the farms/distilleries in Lexington set up by the race were Awesome. The expo was excellent. The shirt was very nice. The course was hilly as advertised. Did go on the guided tour of the course on Friday...well worth the $10. The finishing bling was outstanding. The finish line food/party was Awesome. One of my top 5 races. More than just a race. I would HIGHLY recommend this race!!

Beautiful course! Running through horse farms and thoroughbreds was amazing.

Course is hilly but it makes it go fast!

Excellent Expo!

This was my 5th straight Run the Bluegrass. One of my favorite races and I’m already signed up for Year 6

RunTheBluegrass in Lexington KY is a wonderful event put on by very professional people. It's an extremely hilly course, but there are plenty of aid stations and porta potties along the route. There were so many runners on the course, I honestly couldn't tell if the course was well marked. Just followed the group the whole way. There was plenty of beautiful scenery to look at and all the horses. Fun!!

The run was was everything thing it promised it would be 1) beautiful 2) full of hills. The medal was one of my favorite so far (this was half 75 for me and state 26)
My disappointment came with their "add ons". Ordered a shirt (turned out to just be a 2nd race shirt, got a refund). Paid for the Bourbon 101 class after rave reviews from last year (we got 2 little tastings in plastic cups, used typically used for jello shots). NO REFUNDS OFFERED.

This was my first attempt at this beautiful, but challenging course. The 33 hills kicked my butt! I truly enjoyed my experience! Fantastic swag, bourbon, and countryside! Well orchestrated event and many social teams to join. The medal is one of my absolute favorites that I have earned! Looking forward to improving my time for next year, I'm already registered.

Almost no flat spots on the course, but for every uphill, there is a downhill. Well organized and beautiful race. Lots of add ons that you can load up on or ignore. Above average expo. Advice--plan to get to the race early--cars back up trying to get into Keeneland.

From the expo, swag, communications to the beautiful course, this race is a MUST RUN. Take your time on this course and soak in the atmosphere and beauty. Yeah, it is hilly, but that gives you a chance to stop and say hi to the equine spectators.

Loved this race. From the expo to after. The course was very challenging and look forward to trying it again!

This is a great race. The organizers go above and beyond. Took part in a tour and it was awesome. The expo was small, but very good. Keeneland is beautiful and the course is incredible. But train for hills.

Amazing race on the back roads and hills of Kentucky. Challenging race course yet scenic views. The race is well supported and put on by an amazing crew!

From the volunteers to the local hotels to my fellow runners...everyone was so nice and considerate! My sister had an ankle sprain so we took this very easy and did some walking (finishing in just under 3 hours)...and the amenities at the end of the race were still fully stocked. My one ding would be the number of potholes on the course...but having wonderful considerate fellow runners pointing them out made them easy to avoid! I just wish that I had planned to be around for more of the non-race events...but will definitely be back for another crack at this one and can play around then :)

Great, scenic, and rural course past several horse farms. Not many spectators, but great volunteers, lots of horses, and other various types of wildlife. Lots of add-on events before and after the race, nice swag, great medals, good post-race food, great organization.

If you aren't going up you are going down, but it takes your mind off the miles:) The race is very-well organized, with a ton of events surrounding the race. This is a great race to do with a group of people or your family.

This is the 3rd year in a row I have run this race. The course is very challenging with lots and lots of rolling hills, but beautiful scenery! The whole event is very organized, love that the expo is open on race day, and all volunteers are super friendly. Highly recommend adding it to your run list!

This was a beautiful race that I had to stop often to take photos. You will need to do your hill training, since the entire race is hills. The down hill was pretty steep and effected my knees. The weather was perfect a little cold but awesome. Highly recommend this race.

I've done this race four years in a row, even though it's challenging I keep going back. I love the way they treat the runners and make you feel like a member of a family. The venue is absolutely beautiful and I plan to go back year after year if I can.

The event and support were great. I really enjoyed the paid pre-events I attended. They handled any mishap quickly and efficiently. The course is hilly which I was warned about however it is HILLY. There is no flat recover section until the end. I would run this race again and I am glad that I trained as well as I had. Only disappointment was no food at the end. I am a slow runner (2:52:52) and disappointed to find the bananas and donuts already gone by the time I arrived at the finish. I love the free photos but there were none of me at the finish line. All in all very well put together and great volunteers.

Absolutely gorgeous course along rural roads past Thoroughbred farms that rolls with hills the entire way. Nice expo with selection of vendors. Medal and hoodie are great. Friendly volunteers and great post race party. The VIP experience is nice for food before & after the race plus indoor restrooms and gear check.

Great run for a great price. The swag is awesome, bling is even better. The run is well put together from start to finish with good support for runners. Race staff are there to make your experience easy and fun. Beautiful are to visit and run in....one downside.......these are NOT "rolling" hills....they are "MASSIVE" hills!

One of my favorite races.

The race is very well-organized, and well laid out. The course is a very scenic countryside run with horses at most of the farms you go by. About a dozen of us stopped to help a deer that was stuck in a fence. It was so awesome to see so many people just stop running to help an animal in need! the constant uphill and downhill helped the miles run by as you were more focused on your stride that the distance. Great course to run with friends, and I hope to meet more HM folks in future races:)

Even with severe overcast, this race lives up to the tagline of America's prettiest half marathon. The miles go fast but with 29 hills. it is not a fast course - I think this is because of the beauty of the course and excellent corraling that provides good company without crowding. Hospitality tent was a nice touch with a private place to leave your gear and some extra goodies - complementary when you have 25 register as a team. Course goodies included 7 water stops with berry sword, beer at mile 10, craft dougnuts and beer at the finish fine, and free sports massage post race. The race director and chicken from the chicken house are at the finish line to high-five you too! The race app is a useful extra, and the race shirt is a vintage hoodie style that will be eorn often. Well organized with great communication. For a race that caps at 5000, the expo quality and weekend events are better than many larger races. I am already looking firward to 2018!

Run the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY is billed as America's Prettiest Half Marathon. The scenery on the course does not disappoint. The. course starts/finishes at the historic Keeneland Racie Course and winds through several famous thoroughbred horse farms. Visiting Keeneland Race Course is also a treat. The race expo is held in the horse sales pavillion (very nice) and visitors have an opportunity to explore the historic horse racing course grounds during race week.

There are optional events before and after the race. Participation is capped at 5,000, so the experience is not overwhelming. This enables the race team to treat people on personal level. The finisher bling is always pretty nice too!! The race experience is very well done. A bucket list run for sure, especially for horse lovers!

I've done 15 halfs since starting and when asked what is my favorite, this is the race I tell people about. Yes, there's hills, but that means you get to use multiple muscle groups. You run past beautiful vistas of horse farms that just can not be beat. The volunteers and other runners are super nice. The after race is also the best I've ever attended. There were amazing bourbon ball doughnuts last year and chocolate milk right after crossing the finish line. Then when you are ready, there is free local beer and pizza. Massages are inside. The start and finish is at Keeneland Race course, which is also stunning and great for pictures. Half Fanatics have a tent there every year and the race directors provide a gift bag at each team tent. Don't miss out on this race!

everything about this race is well done, expo was great, start and finish areas were well set up with plenty of parking, nice finishing medal and a really comfy lightweight hoodie instead of another race shirt (loved this idea). the weather was on the cool side this year, very windy, but sunshiny. the area is absolutely beautiful and peaceful HOWEVER....in my opinion this is the most difficult course I have ever experienced (and I've ran in 19 states). there is seriously not a flat spot on this course except for the finish chute, everything else is a constant roller-coaster..up and down, up and down! If you are looking for a fast time this is not the race for you, but if (like me) scenery is an important selling point then you definitely want to experience this race!

everything about this race is well done, expo was great, start and finish areas were well set up with plenty of parking, nice finishing medal and a really comfy lightweight hoodie instead of another race shirt (loved this idea). the weather was on the cool side this year, very windy, but sunshiny. the area is absolutely beautiful and peaceful HOWEVER....in my opinion this is the most difficult course I have ever experienced (and I've ran in 19 states). there is seriously not a flat spot on this course except for the finish chute, everything else is a constant roller-coaster..up and down, up and down! If you are looking for a fast time this is not the race for you, but if (like me) scenery is an important selling point then you definitely want to experience this race!