Baptist Health THE AMERICAN BLUEGRASS CLASSIC
KENTUCKY MARATHON - HALF MARATHON - 4 PERSON RELAY
October 17th, 2026 - 7am, Paducah, KY
OKTOBERFEST WEEKEND
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An Instant CLASSIC - FUN, FAST and FLAT
The Gem of the Bluegrass State
The Race You've Been Looking For
The Race You've Been Looking For
Nestled at the confluence of the Ohio River and Tennessee River, Paducah is more than just a race destination—it’s a weekend experience unlike anything else on the calendar.
Timed alongside the city’s high-energy Paducah Oktoberfest - Race weekend blends live music, local craft beer, and a downtown atmosphere that carries from the start line to well past the finish. It’s the rare chance to chase a PR in the morning and celebrate like you just won one by the afternoon.
Add in Paducah’s unexpected international pedigree as a UNESCO Creative City with a thriving arts scene and you’ve got a destination that punches far above its weight!
Just steps from the course, you’ll find standout dining such as Freight House, led by Sara Bradley of Top Chef fame. This is just of the iconic restaurants that compliment Paducah's scenic riverfront views, historic charm, and the kind of authentic hospitality you don’t find at big-city races.
Paducah's commitment to tourism gives you plenty to choose from with lodging, shopping and entertainment without the big city prices and traffic. Making it the perfect race destination weekend!
For more information and great things to do in Paducah click the button below to visit Paducah Travel website!
The Race You've Been Looking For
The Race You've Been Looking For
The Race You've Been Looking For
What truly separates this race, though, is the course itself. In a state known for rolling hills, this route stands out as one of the flattest and most runnable marathon courses in Kentucky. Built for rhythm, consistency, and fast times - this is the kind of course you can chase your next PR or get your official Boston Qualifying time.
For runners chasing the 50 States Marathon Club, this race turns that Kentucky checkbox into a destination you’ll actually want to come back to. Big atmosphere. Fast course. Real character.
The course runs through historic Downtown Paducah, the Lowertown Arts District and our coveted Midtown neighborhood. This is a flat multi-looped course designed to maintain fast times and optimize the spectators experience.
Marathon runners will run 4 loops, half-marathoners will run 2 loops, and relay runners will run 1 loop (which is slightly longer than a 10K). The race will start and finish in our Historic Downtown.
Destination Race Weekend
Go big without having to go home! After the race enjoy two great events in Historic Downtown Paducah.
Our yearly Oktoberfest and Cars and Guitars event bring a big fall festival atmosphere to accompany all the great shopping and dinning Paducah is known for!
