LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Preparations for the 52nd annual Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and 24th annual Marathon are well underway, with both races set for Saturday, April 26. 

The races will start simultaneously at 7 a.m. on Main Street near Slugger Field, with a new finish line at Preston and Witherspoon streets just outside the Waterfront. All runners will receive a finisher's medal after they complete their respective races, which is rose gold and embellished with the Derby Festival's pegasus symbol surrounded by a starburst design.

The annual Race Expo and packet pickup will take place at Freedom Hall in the Kentucky Exposition Center Thursday, April 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Avid runners or those just looking to break a sweat still have time to register as late registration will be open for runners Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Late miniMarathon registration is $135; late marathon registration is $150.

Here's a look at preparations for the races:

Wednesday, April 23

• Noon to 5 p.m.: Vendors begin their load-in at the Race Expo and packet pickup in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center

Thursday, April 24

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Vendors continue their load-in for the Race Expo and packet pickup
• 10 a.m.: Finish line set-up begins at Preston and Witherspoon streets and will continue throughout the day 
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Race Expo and packet pickup opens 

Friday, April 25

• 9 a.m.: Finish line set-up continues at Preston and Witherspoon streets. Preston Street will be closed to traffic from Main Street to Witherspoon Street. River Road will be closed to traffic from Witherspoon Street and River Road to Preston Street and Witherspoon Street.
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Race Expo and packet pickup continue 

Saturday, April 26

• 6:30 a.m.: Start line programming begins
• 6:45 a.m.: Call to the post/national anthem
• 6:55 a.m.: Wheelchair Division starts on Main Street at Brook Street
• 7 a.m.: Both races start on Main Street at Brook Street
• 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: First finishers of Wheelchair Division and miniMarathon expected to cross finish line
• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.: First finishers of marathon expected to cross finish line 

The Kentucky Derby Festival features more than 70 events leading up to the 151st runnings of the Kentucky Oaks (Friday, May 2) and Kentucky Derby (Saturday, May 3).

To stay informed about everything related to the Derby Festival and both races, check out Spectrum News 1’s special section.