EXERT & EXHALE
One Race, Many Reasons
BY NICHOLAS SIEGEL | PHOTOS BY KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN ROBERTS
IF YOU’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to attend
The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in the
past, you probably know that every participant
has a unique reason for being there. Whether it be
personal growth, community building or running
for a cause they believe in, for these runners, it’s
a lot more than just a race.
One of this year’s participants, Donna Giovenco,
likes to run the marathon because it reminds her
of this time of year. “There is something about this
race that speaks spring to me,” Giovenco said.
“There is something about seeing and feeling the
44 EXTOL : APRIL/MAY 2018
quiet at (Churchill Downs) and the horses out for
their morning workouts that keeps me coming
back.”
For another participant, Heidi Seuling, running
the race over the years has been a great way to
explore her passion of running and to relieve
stress. “It’s very inspiring to see your friends and
fellow runners in the community supporting each
other, supporting fitness, supporting a healthy
lifestyle, supporting happiness and fun at the
same time,” Seuling said. “You’re meeting new
people along the way, you’re encouraging each
other … all of those things together make it such
a positive experience.”
Seuling also touched on the diversity of reasons
for participating. “Someone may be in a time-
period where they need to refocus and get back
in shape. Someone may be in a period where
they are really fast and they’re training to qualify
for something,” she said. “One year, I used it as
a qualifying race for Boston. It was my way of
working up to personal goals.”
Both Giovenco and Seuling are also ambassadors
for the marathon, which means they were chosen