Thousands of runners from 48 states and at least 5 countries will gather at Keeneland this weekend for the fifth annual Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon. The event, the brainchild of Eric Patrick Marr and his LeXenomics Group, has been called the prettiest half-marathon in America with runners traversing several picturesque horse farms near the iconic track.
"There's nothing better than running through all of the serene, peaceful, majestic thoroughbred farms. We often take them for granted because they're so normal to us," Marr told WUKY.
Marr says the race has become a boon for local tourism.
"Lots of tours and events and parties that we schedule around the entire week. People come in and check out our bourbon distilleries and our horse farms and our restaurants and they spend their money here in Lexington," said Marr.
And a lot of that money stays here in the community. This year some of the race proceeds will benefit two local start-ups; SWORD Hydration, and On The Move Art Studio.
The race gets under way Saturday morning at 7:30 at Keeneland.
Additional information is available here.