It's Earth Day and We're Going Green

Starting with the Fix 'Em 5k, all River City Races owned events (Fix 'Em 5k, Downtown Doubler, Pupkin Spice 5k, Reindeer Romp 4k, Frostbite 5k Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler) will be featuring Louisville Water Company Pure Tap Water with 100% biodegradable cups!

Price Increase This Wednesday for the Fix 'Em 5k

Beat the price increase by registering for the Fix 'Em 5k before Wednesday, April 24th at 11:59 p.m.

Five dollars of every entry goes directly to Pet Friendly Services for low cost spay and neuter clinics in Indiana. Don't forget Mother's Day categories, pet categories, free race photography and more! Details and to register, see below or click here.

Volunteers Needed for Fix 'Em 5k

Earn Fleet Feet Bucks and Race Credits!

Water Station and Course Marshal volunteers are needed for the Fix ‘Em 5k, May 11^th at Ashland Park in Clarksville. All volunteers will receive a $10 River City Races event credit (if you have already entered a future race we can refund the credit to you) and a Fix ‘Em 5k race shirt (while they last). Since this race is a benefit for Spay and Neuter Services of Indiana, a 501(c)3 non-profit, anyone needed service hours, this event is eligible.

Also looking volunteers for packet pickup Friday, May 10th at Fleet Feet. Packet pick volunteer will earn $10 per hour in Fleet Feet bucks and a Fix ‘Em 5k short sleeve tech shirt or women’s tank (while they last).

Click here for more details and to sign up.

Runner Spotlight - Ben King

Continuing our features on Run the 502 stars, those who entered and completed all 11 races!

I started running when I started high school in 1967 because I wanted to play basketball. They said they wanted us to run cross country to get in shape for basketball. So I ran cross country. Then after just a day or two of tryouts they cut me from basketball. I was never really given a chance. I was so upset. My uncle who was coach at the University of Louisville at the time called my high school coach and asked him why he cut Ben. I did not know he was going to make that call. They then sent a message to me they wanted me to come back to the basketball team. But after they cut me I was not interested. I fell in love with running, and played basketball in the park. I also ran track in high school. I have probably been running about 15 years total now counting high school, and the past 12 years I have run fairly consistently since I started organized races in May, 2012. I always enjoyed movement though, and I like bike riding. I have a rowing machine I also use so my upper body remembers that it is still there. Running is the perfect sport for my personality anyway so it all worked out good. You just need a good pair of shoes and away you go.

I decided to do the Run the 502 because I like the River City Races runs.

My favorite distance is about 5 or 6 miles. I used to say a 5k but I like a bit more distance now, but not overly long.

My favorite places to practice run are Pope Lick Park, and Skyview Park. If I want hills I run Pope Lick North. If I want relatively flat, I run Pope Lick South. Skyview Park has hills in either direction.

One of the most unique races I ran was the Giant Slayer 5k in Bernheim Forest which was on a varied terrain course. We ran past the giants.

My favorite thing about running is the escapism. The world melts away when I am running. I also feel so much better and more relaxed the whole rest of the day after I have run that morning.

My running walking advice would always be to keep it fun, and don’t worry about finish place or timing. That will come.

I like running River City Races events because they are all conveniently located, and they all have ample parking. All you have to do is show up. It is also a good mix of park runs, and neighborhood runs. It is a well run organization.

The only thing else I would like to share is I have made great new friends since I started doing the organized runs. Most of my friends now are running related, and they are my family.

2024 Run the 502

River City Races is proud and excited to announce the 2024 Run the 502 (medal will be updated and revealed later in the year). Click here to register for the 2024 Run the 502 (there is no charge but you will still need to register for at least six races on the calendar).

This year's edition will have twelve races on the calendar (with the potential of adding more) to pick from. Enter a minimum of six races on the calendar and you will be eligible for the special Run the 502 medal.



For every race you finish, you will receive a bonus finisher's charm with each individual race logo on it to hang off your Run the 502 medal. Medal and charms will be mailed to each participant at the conclusion of the Run the 502 series on February 8th, the Snowman Shuffle.

Please note, you must be registered for the Run the 502 (no additional charge but must enter six race individually) and you are eligible for the medal but only finishers of a race will receive a charm.

Below are the races included in this year's calendar and the Run the 502 medals will be mailed after Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler in February. 

• 5/11/24 - Fix 'Em 5k
• 6/1/24 - The Parklands & WLKY 5k
• 6/22/24 - Louisville Bats 5k
• 7/4/24 - St. Matthews Independence Day 5k
• 7/20/24 - Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler
• 9/14/24 - Bark in the Park 4 Miler
• 9/22/24 - Downtown Doubler 30k/15k/8k/4k
• 10/26/24 - Pupkin Spice 5k Run/Walk
• 12/14/24 - Reindeer Romp 4k Run/Walk*
• 12/21/24 - Santa Sprint and Stroll 5k
• 1/11/25 - Frostbite 5k Run/Walk*
• 2/8/24 - Snowman Shuffle 4 Mile Run/Walk*

*part of the Polar Bear Grand Prix

Louisville Bats 5k

Saturday, June 22nd at Louisville Slugger Field

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to run the Bats 5k, the only race where you finish the last ¼ mile with a lap around the diamond at Louisville Slugger Field! Course will start and finish outside the back gate on Witherspoon with the award ceremony taking place inside the stadium.

Race entry includes:

• Two dateless ticket vouchers, good for any 2024 Louisville Bats home game (vouchers will be in your packet at packet pickup)
• Performance fanny pack with Running Buddy Bat logo
• 2024 Bats 5K Finisher Medal
• Race Photo with Buddy Bat
• Engraved Louisville Slugger Bats for Overall Top 3 male/female finishers

For more details and to register click here.

Back For 2024!

The Bats Grand Slam Doubler Header!

Enter and finish both the Louisville Bats 5k on June 22^nd and the Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler on July 20^th and earn the Bats Grand Slam Double Header Medal! Click here for details and to register for the bundle.

Join the Louisville Bats and the Louisville Bats 5k. Start and finish outside the back gate of Louisville Slugger Field on Witherspoon and run the last 1/4 mile of the race around the baseball field and all entrants receive two dateless vouchers for any Bats home game.



Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler is a four mile run/walk through beautiful Waterfront Park in the morning and a baseball game that evening. What a perfect way to spend a summer Saturday. All registrants receive their choice of a cotton blend, tech or women's tech tank (only pre-registered will be guaranteed a shirt on race day) or get two for an additional $10.

Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler

Saturday, July 20th at Louisville Slugger Field

Just announced, FREE FINISHER PHOTOS with your and time printed on them!

Celebrating it's 21st year, the Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler is a four mile run/walk through beautiful Waterfront Park in the morning and a baseball game that evening. What a perfect way to spend a summer Saturday. All registrants receive their choice of a cotton blend, tech shirt or women's tech tank (only pre-registered will be guaranteed a shirt on race day) or get two for an additional $10. 

Click here for more details and to register.

Downtown Doubler 30k/15k/8k/4k

Sunday, September 22nd at 7:30 a.m. at New Albany Amphitheater

Just announced, FREE FINISHER PHOTOS with your and time printed on them!

The race so nice you can do it twice!

The Downtown Doubler is a 30k/15k/8k/4k that fits great into your fall training schedule whether you're running a half, full or a tri and to have two times more fun we've added an 8k/4k as well as virtual options for all four individual events!



The races will start at 7:30 a.m.and finish at the New Albany Amphitheater and running along the scenic Ohio River Greenway. Each loop is 15K (4k for the 8k), run the course twice to complete 30k. Enjoy views of downtown Louisville (twice if you dare!) as you run along the river. 

Click here for more details and to register.

Santa Sprint and Stroll 5k Run/Walk

Saturday December 16th at 9:00 a.m. at Hogan's Fountain in Cherokee Park

The 28th Annual Santa Sprint & Stroll is right around the corner!

This merry 5k Run/ Walk will benefit the work of United Crescent Hill Ministries and an event that The Courier Journal once called "more festive than the run-of-the-mill 5k," with both serious runners and holiday merrymakers.

Looking forward to some healthy merry-making with you, so don't miss out on meeting SANTA himself—at our 27th Annual Santa Sprint & Stroll on December 21, 2024! 

HO, HO, HOPE to see you there!

Click here for more details and to register.

Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler

Saturday, February 8th at 9:00 a.m. at Hogan's Fountain in Cherokee Park

Just announced, FREE FINISHER PHOTOS with your and time printed on them!

Third and final race of the Polar Bear Grand Prix. Four mile run and walk through scenic Cherokee Park, starts at Hogan's Fountain and winds its way along Beargrass Creek to Big Rock Park and back around the Scenic Loop. Enter just the Snowman Shuffle or make the full commitment to participate in all three races.

Click here for more details and to register.