Brad Williams's Staging Area

Great race in the most underrated city in the United States. Good organization throughout the whole process – expo, pre-race, race, post-race. Course is a bit challenging with a significant hill climb starting after mile 5 – mile 7. Scenery is great and the crowd support is strong relatively speaking (not Boston Strong, but good support throughout the majority of the course with Mariemont section (miles 14 – 16) being the best). Weather can be nice and pleasant or on the warmer side (early May in Cincinnati can vary quite a bit). First 8 miles or so are combined with half marathoners and there are A LOT of half marathoners for this race (~5,800 full marathon runners vs 13,000+ half marathoners). Course becomes very spaced out after the split around mile 8. Rejoin with half marathoners for the last mile of the course, but good separation between the two races (marathon on the left, half marathon on the right). Finish line (or “swine”) is phenomenal setting right after the historic Roebling Bridge. Only major complaint is that half marathoners will merge to the left into the marathoner’s post-race recovery area as they make their way to scarf down a free slice of LaRosa’s pizza. I look forward to running the course many more times in the future.