It’s the largest weekend party in town, and you can be part of it! Whether you’re a runner or walker, whether you want to volunteer or cheer, whether you want to participate for charity, or just for your own satisfaction, we’d love for you to join us. Sign up today …
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It’s the largest weekend party in town, and you can be part of it! Whether you’re a runner or walker, whether you want to volunteer or cheer, whether you want to participate for charity, or just for your own satisfaction, we’d love for you to join us. Sign up today and be part of the Pig Party!
The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon is a beautiful course, which “flies” along the streets of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport, Mariemont, Fairfax and Columbia Township. Our course presents a well-balanced, diverse tour of some the best neighborhoods in the area.
The half marathon starts with the full marathon and relay field and goes through Cincinnati, Newport and Covington. The two groups will run together for approximately nine miles, then the half marathon field will turn back toward downtown and end at the Marathon finish line.
In the celebration of the city of Cincinnati and the Flying Pig Marathon, Skyline Chili is proud to present the 3-Way and 4-Way Challenge in the Flying Pig Marathon weekend of events. (The events’ namesakes are the Skyline 3-Way, a Cincinnati signature dish crafted from chili, spaghetti and cheese; and the Skyline 4-Way, crafted from chili, spaghetti, cheese and onions.) To complete the 3-Way Challenge, a single runner must complete Saturday’s 5K and 10K events, as well as Sunday’s Half Marathon. To complete the 4-Way Challenge, a single runner must complete Saturday’s 5K and 10K events, as well as Sunday’s Full Marathon.
Skyline Chili 3-Way and 4-Way Challenge Finishers will receive an additional 3-Way/4-Way Challenge finisher’s medal and other to be determined premiums. Are you up for the Challenge?
Add some “extra cheese” to your 3-Way or 4-Way by completing the Fifty West Mile on Friday!
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The Pig Doesn't Disappoint!
What a great first experience at the Flying Pig! Expo is HUGE! Tons of vendors, lots of freebies. Parking is a little inconvenient as it is right downtown, but the … MORE
What a great first experience at the Flying Pig!
Expo is HUGE! Tons of vendors, lots of freebies. Parking is a little inconvenient as it is right downtown, but the expo is well worth it!
Swag: The best of the best! T shirt, towel, and poster. Medal leaves a little to be desired, but it is unique to the pig theme with a tail on the back.
Production: Corrals were a little confusing, but nothing hateful. Parking on race day is a nightmare, so plan for plenty of extra time. The garage near the start line filled and I had to park down the street. Organizers do a great job with this race. Only hiccup was speakers for some of the corrals didn’t work.
Course: It’s just as it’s described. It starts with some great views of the skyline as you pass over the two bridges. Throughout the course there are ample aide stations and TONS of crowd support! The middle miles are a big incline. My suggestion is to save some energy to attack these hills. The last 3 miles are straight downhill. I usually pace around 8:15-8:30 and my last 3 miles were done sub-7:30!
Post-race party is great! Right on the river, tons of vendors.
All in all the Flying Pig is as popular as it is for great reason! Can’t wait to run again next year!
Absolutely worth the hype!
I saw all the raving reviews about the race before I registered and they were are 100% correct, this is a great event that was very well organized The expo … MORE
I saw all the raving reviews about the race before I registered and they were are 100% correct, this is a great event that was very well organized
The expo flowed easily and had some great vendors and merchandise. Race day morning was a little bit congested and made it difficult to navigate to your coral so I ended up getting into an earlier one (I heard and saw a lot of people doing the same). The course was great but the run support was even better (except for the Kleenex stations. There were SO MANY used tissues on the course)
The only issue I had was how congested the post finish line area was. It seemed excessively fenced off as they tried to filter runners to the party area. I was just trying to leave and head back to the hotel and it took forever to get through all the people. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t an amazing event. Just something that could have been better
Great race, with a few suggestions
This is a really well-supported race; the city really comes out to support the runners, and you're almost never alone. The only time I really remember it getting quiet was … MORE
This is a really well-supported race; the city really comes out to support the runners, and you’re almost never alone. The only time I really remember it getting quiet was the section you run on U.S. 50 West (mile 20-21 or so), because it’s a highway, and it’s tough for spectators to get to.
Volunteers were great–there are a lot of aid stations with water and Gatorade, and even hours into the race, the volunteers on the course were helpful and supportive.
I can’t speak to previous years’ swag, but the medal is great, it’s double-sided and heavy. They also had a good T-shirt, a poster, and a car towel, and all of those are very nice.
Every other review mentions it, so I feel like I have to: the hills going up to the art museum and the observatory are big, and I wish I had taken it a little easier on those hills and saved a bit more for the back half.
Suggestions:
It didn’t cause me any problems, but there were some long lines for the bathroom early in the race. This got better as the course went on–I stopped to use the bathroom at mile 11 and didn’t have to wait very long.
The start was a little confusing. I was in the very last corral, and it was kind of hard to figure out exactly what was going on. Start time was 6:30, and I figured we’d actually start a little later than that, but I didn’t get across the start line until 7:02. There were also 4 starting countdowns that I heard, which was confusing.
I was one of the later finishers, and it kind of seemed like everything had kind of wound down at the finish area when I arrived (well within the 7-hour course limit). It’s a long day, so I get it, but the finish felt a little anticlimactic.
Bottom line: I had fun, and I’d run it again. I’d probably do it year after year if I were local.
A fun themed race with all of Cincinnati
This race was great for two reasons: 1.) the theme is unique and unforgettable and 2.) the people of Cincinnati show up to support and get in the spirit! The … MORE
This race was great for two reasons: 1.) the theme is unique and unforgettable and 2.) the people of Cincinnati show up to support and get in the spirit! The course starts in Cincinnati, crosses the bridge into Kentucky for a short bit where you run through some neighborhoods (everyone is decked out in pig gear and decor) and then you come back into Ohio to run the majority of the race. There was fun and participatory activities I’ve never seen on a course such as a jello shot station, throwing basketballs into a hoop, dog therapy sessions and fresh bacon served on the course. The finish line was the most spectators I’ve seen for a race. Everyone in the city knows about the race and seems to either be participating as a runner or spectator. The support was unreal. This race is worth traveling to, even if you’re on the other side of the country like me!
Great venue and race!
I highly recommend this race! The pre-race, corral, and post-race logistics are incredibly practical and welcoming for all travelers. The course itself is deceptively challenging but in a good way, … MORE
I highly recommend this race! The pre-race, corral, and post-race logistics are incredibly practical and welcoming for all travelers. The course itself is deceptively challenging but in a good way, boasting great road conditions and high-energy cheering sections. Although there are some narrow spots, the scenery is awesome. A crucial tip for runners: pace yourself and save energy for the second half, especially after the “big climb” to take advantage of the very fast finish. Just be sure to carry your own fuel, as GU gels were only offered at miles 18 and 20, though water stations were plentiful.
Outstanding crowd support!
Pre-race email communications were very good. The expo was typical of races this size. The floor plan has you walking thru the length of the expo to get your shirt: … MORE
Pre-race email communications were very good. The expo was typical of races this size. The floor plan has you walking thru the length of the expo to get your shirt: Not very efficient, but typical. The phone app was ok. Hotel arrangements were made through their third party planner, and that went fine. I stayed at the Marriott across the bridge from the start/finish, and that was very convenient for walking to the expo and start.
Temps for race day started in the upper 30s F and was ~50 degrees when I finished. Gear drop consisted of passing your bag thru a school bus window, which was fine. Those buses were lined up on the west side of the starting area. The corral area was not their typical one (due to construction?). My corral was on the southeast side of the starting area, and to get there I needed to walk through a very congested area with other runners staging for their corral and a few families with strollers. The sound system didn’t work consistently in my corral, and if they sang the national anthem I never heard it.
The half marathoners start with the full. (There were ~5200 full and ~12,500 half finishers.) This led to a mostly crowded course the first 9 miles until the half split off. You needed to watch your footing especially in the downtown area because the roads weren’t in the best condition. The most significant hills were in the first 12 miles, and the rest of the course had undulating terrain. I’d say the course was moderate in difficulty: I’ve run easier and I’ve run harder courses. There were sufficient water stops and porta potties along the course, though there was always a line at the latter. I wished they had flags or plumes announcing water stops were coming up. I was mistaken a few times when I saw crowds of people ahead of me lined up only to find it was people cheering others on. The crowd support was fantastic! They were among the best of the now 47 marathons I’ve run. There were a number of first-time marathoners who wore bibs indicating that on their back. I thought that was a great touch, and upon finding such runners along the course offered encouragement and congratulations.
After the race it was a little bit of a walk to get to the gear bags on the buses, but walking is good for you after a race so I didn’t mind. The post-race snacks were typical and sufficient for a race this size. The celebration in the park was well attended and had a number of vendors. The finisher medal was very nice and the race swag obtained at the expo included a nice T-shirt, a car seat cover (unique and race-branded), and a race poster. Gotta love a race that has a race poster specific to that year!
Not as good as it used to be
This race has either gotten too big for what it can handle or needs a new manager.The expo is huge lines and vendors in no particular order.Although the packet pickup … MORE
This race has either gotten too big for what it can handle or needs a new manager.The expo is huge lines and vendors in no particular order.Although the packet pickup is fairly quick,you have to make your way through the mess and crowds of the expo to get to the back wall where everything was. The start was a chaotic mess. The corrals weren’t marked well,the portojohns were placed right on the sidewalks and there weren’t enough of them,the announcer’s mic was too loud but the words muffled so you couldn’t make out what was being said,and the start had the corrals coming from different directions.
The course was ok. I may have missed them,but I didn’t see a lot of mile markers,and I only saw a timer at the halfway point.
The saving grace of this race is its volunteers and enthusiastic fans most of the course. There was plenty of water, sports drink, and gels,and tissues.This was also the best weather this race has had in all the years I’ve run it.It was perfect!
Mini Pig Weekend
Expo was conveniently located and well organized, lots of vendors and things to see. Race morning was cold but it was buzzing with excitement. The course was nice, crossing the … MORE
Expo was conveniently located and well organized, lots of vendors and things to see. Race morning was cold but it was buzzing with excitement. The course was nice, crossing the Ohio River and gaining elevation to the top in Eden Park to get a view of the river below was worth the climb. I was surprised how fast the race went by but there was a lot to take your mind off the grind. Crowd support was great and there were many handing out special treats from licorice, chocolate kisses or alcohol beverages. Finish line festival was really busy with so many people, always a fun time celebrating the accomplishments and meeting up with family to enjoy the excitement of the day.
Fun race, well supported
Full disclosure: I am a Flying Pig Streaker (means I have run all 28 races), so I may be a bit biased. But there is a reason I come back … MORE
Full disclosure: I am a Flying Pig Streaker (means I have run all 28 races), so I may be a bit biased. But there is a reason I come back every single year. This is a race with a sense of humor, but also one that the community supports and is very well run. Crowd support along the course is always great. The expo is large and fun. Everything ran smoothly this year and race day conditions were near perfect. Looking forward to coming back next year!
Another challenge in the books
I’ve run the 4-way with extra cheese 3 times now and every time has been an absolute treat. Through tired legs and early mornings once the gun went off I … MORE
I’ve run the 4-way with extra cheese 3 times now and every time has been an absolute treat. Through tired legs and early mornings once the gun went off I was locked in. The crowd always feels perfect, motivating in the hardest parts of the race, other competitors always pushing you forward. My favorite part of running the challenge is getting to know the other people doing it over the weekend. All of us up in coral A just getting through the nerves and discussing training and race plans. It’s really a special race, I’ve run the marathon 7 times now and I keep coming back for a reason.
Solid race overall
This was my fourth time participating in the half or full of the Flying Pig - I did the half this year. The course changed this year due to the … MORE
This was my fourth time participating in the half or full of the Flying Pig – I did the half this year. The course changed this year due to the closure of the Fourth Street bridge in Kentucky. I, for one, actually liked the new course – we went deeper into Kentucky than in previous years and I also liked that we ran past Fountain Square. I hope they continue to route the course past Fountain Square in future editions of this race. My one criticism would be that the configuration of the corrals in the start area was somewhat confusing; better signage in the start area indicating where to go for each corral would be appreciated.
Hard, Rewarding, and Worth Every Step
Seven states into my 50-state half marathon journey, the Flying Pig sits at #1 and I don't expect it to move anytime soon. I would absolutely do this race again … MORE
Seven states into my 50-state half marathon journey, the Flying Pig sits at #1 and I don’t expect it to move anytime soon. I would absolutely do this race again — and that’s something I can’t say about most of the others on my list.
The single most memorable thing about this race isn’t the course or the swag — it’s the people of Cincinnati. The local pride for the Flying Pig is unlike anything I’ve experienced at another race. The crowd energy was outstanding from start to finish, and it never felt like a party for its own sake. There was some of that, but it didn’t define the atmosphere. For me, that’s exactly right. This felt like a community showing up for something they genuinely love.
The course is the hardest half I’ve done — 700 feet of elevation gain, three bridges, two states, and more scenic variety than any other race on my list. It starts in the dark, and crossing the first bridge with the moon in the background was one of those moments where you almost forget you’re racing. I nearly stopped for a photo and kept moving only because I had a race to run. That image stuck with me longer than most finish line photos would have. The difficulty is earned throughout — I kept telling myself to just make it to mile 8, because once the hardest climbing was behind me, the final three miles were a pure downhill reward. I flew. After grinding through the first two thirds, those last miles felt like the course was giving something back. That balance of challenge and payoff is what separates a great course from a brutal one.
The expo was the most professionally executed I’ve experienced — Huntsville and Indy were both solid, but Flying Pig had actual brand presence from companies like Asics that elevated it to another level. Indy had better race-specific merchandise for purchase, but for overall professionalism this one wins. I came away with a race towel, shirt, and poster in addition to the standard swag. The medal is my favorite of any race I’ve done — two-sided and genuinely well-designed. The shirt wasn’t quite my style so I passed it along to my wife, but the rest of the swag package is excellent.
A few complaints worth noting. Like Indianapolis and Huntsville, race photos are not included in the entry fee despite a registration cost around $150 — you’ll pay extra for a photo package on top of that. I’ve come to expect this at larger races but it still stings. I also didn’t get my preferred shirt size because I registered just a week before the race — entirely my fault, but worth knowing if you’re a late registrant. The finish ran about 0.15 miles long, which I suspect is the same issue I noticed at Huntsville — when the half shares a course with the full marathon, the finish distance can be hard to dial in exactly.
The finish itself is a mixed experience. It’s tucked under a bridge with crowds cheering from above, which sounds dramatic — and it is — but I genuinely didn’t realize I was approaching the finish until I was almost there. Lots of turns in the final stretch and no clear visual until the race clock came into view. There was no branded backdrop or logo wall for a finish photo, which was a missed opportunity. On the other hand, I ran a surprise PR and got to ring the PR bell, which made up for all of it.
After the finish, the food trucks are set up along the river with the bridge as a backdrop — it’s a genuinely beautiful post-race hangout spot and one of the better settings I’ve seen for a finish area. Worth taking a few minutes to soak it in before you leave. There is also a stunning river overlook around mile 8 that I noted and immediately ignored because I was racing — something to keep in mind for a future run when you’re not chasing a PR. The post-race food was the one weak point: Kroger-brand snacks and pizza that wasn’t worth eating. After a race this well-run, the spread felt like an afterthought.
What makes the Flying Pig great is the combination of things that are hard to manufacture — a challenging and rewarding course, genuine crowd energy, professional execution, and a city that’s worth visiting. Cincinnati is clean, seems to have plenty to do, and left me wishing we’d had more time. I hope to come back someday and actually explore it properly.
If you’re building a 50-state list and haven’t done Ohio, make this your race. It’s the full package.
Amazing race, all time favorite...
this was my 38th marathon in my 28th state. I would have to say it was my favorite of all of them. Awesome production and the most amazing crown support, … MORE
this was my 38th marathon in my 28th state. I would have to say it was my favorite of all of them. Awesome production and the most amazing crown support, it was a party almost the entire race….plenty of aid stations official and unofficial…basically every mile…swag included t-shirt, towel, and poster….The expo was big and one of the better ones i have been to….The course was hilly especially the first half but the weather was perfect…. we ran through alot of neighborhoods and area of Cincinnati and Kentucky…the race started and finished near the baseball and football stadiums ….A unique thing about the race was the flying pig theme…the city sure seem to embrace it ….costumes all over the place….and a bacon aid station topped it off…alot of extra snacks and drinks throughout the course and music as well… the finish line festival the party continued…your basic snack, plus pizza and beer…there was food and drink to purchase as well…plenty of other vendors with give aways…the medal was nice with pig face on front and butt on back…alot of cool things to do in the area with a outstanding zoo..i would recommend this to anyone
The great reputation is deserved
Fantastic production - lots of city pride in this with great crowds and a cool after party along the Ohio river. The course is hilly so can be tough at … MORE
Fantastic production – lots of city pride in this with great crowds and a cool after party along the Ohio river. The course is hilly so can be tough at times. i liked the scenery – nice views from the bridges that connect Kentucky and you get to run through quite a few different neighborhoods. Hotels were packed and runners were everywhere at the bars and restaurants so a fun vibe downtown throughout the weekend. Expo, start, end are all within walking distance and close to the main hotels so that’s always a plus – you don’t need a car if you are visiting. The most swag i think i’ve been handed at an expo- Tshirt, blanket, magnet, and poster along with a cool looking medal at the finish. Would have been cool if the Reds were in town this weekend but that has nothing to do with the race of course. Highly recommend.
Add to your bucket list!
Lived up to is hype and then some. It was unbelievable well organized, the volunteers were amazing and plentiful. Hands down the most hydration stations I have seen at any … MORE
Lived up to is hype and then some. It was unbelievable well organized, the volunteers were amazing and plentiful. Hands down the most hydration stations I have seen at any race. I may not have grabbed the bacon or the twizzlers but lots of people did. Kudos for the several stations of Kleenex! My allergies thank you. I did the challenge with cheese- 1 mile, 10k and 5 K before the half and I am glad I did. I live in Illinois and run on flat trails. I was able to get a good idea from the 10K of the hills and have a game plan before the half . Hills were challenging but do-able. I also had a massage at Inner Peace on Saturday . Highly recommend. Great swag- who can’t use cute t-shirts and an awesome car seat cover! I have never been to Cincinnati. Hidden gem. 5 stars all around
Pigs really do fly
What a fun course. The views were amazing, the volunteers were amazing. The route was amazing. The only thing that caught me off guard was the hills. All in all … MORE
What a fun course. The views were amazing, the volunteers were amazing. The route was amazing. The only thing that caught me off guard was the hills. All in all I would do this every year if I lived close. The expo the day before was great, and the post race party was amazing as well. I got a whole duffel bag full of free stuff throughout the two days. My aunt and I travel every year to a new half marathon and I’m so glad I got to do this.
Lives Up to the Hype
This is a HUGE race. 21,000+ runners on Sunday between the Full and Half. The expo was fairly large and had lots of vendors. I really liked the swag: shirt, … MORE
This is a HUGE race. 21,000+ runners on Sunday between the Full and Half. The expo was fairly large and had lots of vendors. I really liked the swag: shirt, blanket, magnet, and poster. The corrals on race day were very crowded as expected, and the first few miles were shoulder to shoulder. It thinned out slightly after 3 miles, but the entire course was well populated. Yes, there are hills after mile 5, but not horrible. The views were beautiful at the top! The crowd support was great and very consistent throughout the race. The last 3 miles were all downhill, so it made for a fun finish. The post race celebration area was super crowded, but once you got through the families waiting, there was plenty of space in the park. The Skyline chilidog was the highlight for me! Overall, very pleased with this race.
Didn't live up to the hype!
This was my first time doing the Flying PIG marathon I was part of a relay team 13 years ago. I enjoyed the race. It is a slightly hilly course … MORE
This was my first time doing the Flying PIG marathon I was part of a relay team 13 years ago. I enjoyed the race. It is a slightly hilly course early on (5.5 – 8) and the crowds were amazing throughout the whole race.
That said, the number of participants have outgrown the vendors / corporate sponsors and here is what I observed.
1-The Expo was a major let down. I was there first thing Saturday am and there was very little Mens logo’d SWAG. NO 1/4 zips or jackets outside of a 2XL and XS. I did the Indianapolis monumental and they had 10x more logo’d clothing.
The car idea was awesome, but whoever at Toyota decided to just throw all the names on randomly instead of putting them on alphabetically didn’t think it through. And then I was told the 1/2 marathoners get a car magnet, but not the full? That makes ZERO sense! We all should receive one!
RACE DAY
2. Porta potties, There needs to be more porta potties at the start and throughout the race. Lines were long, and that adds unnecessary stress before the race even begins and stress during the race. Increasing availability would make a big difference in pre-race experience.
3- At the end of the race we got a water, a slice of pizza, and Kroger bag with 3 things, a small bag of pretzels, small bag of trail mix and small bag of mini chips ahoy. This was the saddest part of all. The heart Mini gives out more stuff at the end!
All I heard was how many goodies they have at the end. But in reality, I have gotten more at a 5k race!
And this is why the Race organizers need to take a long hard look at sponsorship’s vs costs of putting such a large growing event.
I share this feedback respectfully cause it is a great event, as evidenced by the growth after 28 years. But fixes/changes/improvements need to be addressed otherwise word of mouth will spread and it will decrease in popularity with the running community.
Such a fun weekend -
Ran this as a back to back with Indy Mini so I definitely missed out on some of the fun leading up to race day. Yes, there are a ton … MORE
Ran this as a back to back with Indy Mini so I definitely missed out on some of the fun leading up to race day. Yes, there are a ton of hills on this course but the crowd was awesome and the sun popped out to warm us up! It’s a good one for multiple distances in a weekend or if you’re looking for multiple locations in a weekend. Indy was a reasonable 90 min drive.
My favorite half marathon so far!
Absolutely the most special atmosphere I’ve ever ran in. It was beautiful, well organized and so much excitement all around. The energy made the run seem to pass by quickly. … MORE
Absolutely the most special atmosphere I’ve ever ran in. It was beautiful, well organized and so much excitement all around. The energy made the run seem to pass by quickly. Plenty of aid stations and volunteers. Honestly I don’t know how it could’ve been any better