Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon & Walk
Cincinnati, OH
- Half Marathon, 15K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Heart Mini has always been a great way to get moving while socializing with friends, family and co-workers leading up to and on the day of event. But it’s so much more than a walk. Walking in the Heart Mini boosts your heart health AND mental health while helping … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 15):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 74 | 71 | 59 | 51 | 69 |
| L (°F) | 40 | 57 | 42 | 19 | 41 |
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Great tune up race
This was my first time racing since 2015. So I was incredibly nervous. I had ran 9 and 9.5 miles twice up to this point. This year the race was … MORE
This was my first time racing since 2015. So I was incredibly nervous. I had ran 9 and 9.5 miles twice up to this point. This year the race was delayed an hour due to rain. Maybe there was lighting. The rain did let up but then absolutely dumped on us waiting at the start. There’s no corrals, everyone just lines up. But idk I didn’t really care about that too much. A lot of runners but in my opinion not too much to where it’s overstimulating to be around. First mile was tight but it opens up. Rain stopped maybe around mile 2 and didn’t start again till mile 7 ish I believe. I was soaked so that sucked but whatever. I personally enjoy the scenery. I like Columbia parkway. It was cool to run on it instead of driving and being frightened the whole time because it’s a horrible road to drive on. So I thought running on it was quite nice. The river is right next to you so idk what people mean by no scenery. River is right there. I thought it was pretty. I also don’t mind the out and back. It looks different on the way back! Torrence hill is a lot but I’d been preparing for it with hill reps and long runs on a hilly course. So to me personally it actually wasn’t nearly as bad as I was anticipating. Lot more of a crowd here. The crowd wasn’t too heavy I wonder due to the cold and rainy weather we experienced. Coming down Torrence you can really fly. There’s a few more inclines on the way back. I didn’t really notice them going out but coming back I could feel it more. I liked how the water stations were mini bottles instead of the paper cups. Easier to drink from while running and you can hold onto it longer. I struggle with the paper cups (spilling it on myself or ummm choking?!) the t shirts they give you are not too exciting but it’s a comfy sleep shirt. Also not a big after party but this year it was pouring again by the finish so I was frigid and just got a quick picture and fled to warm car and towels. The cause is nice too. This was my tune up race for the flying pig. It was really nice because I PRed and it gave me confidence for flying pig half. I’m not sure what the half course is like beyond the split since I did 15k. I’ve heard the weather is kind of notoriously bad so that sucks. I probably would run this again. The course is a nice prep for the pig imo. The hills. I run on a hilly route all the time so to me my normal route at home is more challenging than this. I seriously think if you do all types of runs on rolling hills it makes these courses manageable. Race medal was cutie. I would in fact recommend this race. Running the pig for the first time after this gave me perspective on what a REALLY well organized race looks like and I did look back on this one differently. But I would not say it was poorly organized by any means
Crowded
Over the years, I've run every distance of this race and it remains one of my least favorites. The past two years, I have just walked the 5K. It's not … MORE
Over the years, I’ve run every distance of this race and it remains one of my least favorites. The past two years, I have just walked the 5K.
It’s not well organized.
It’s very crowded.
It’s pretty much up hill the entire time, on pavement with little support.
The tshirt is meh.
The weather is always iffy, with a great chance it will be raining or sleeting.
There are many fun races in Cincinnati, do a different one if you’re trying to choose.
Training Race - Not For 1st Time Racers
This race is scheduled perfectly for those training for spring races! Great time to see your training progress and gauge how you will attack the rest of training. Beyond that, … MORE
This race is scheduled perfectly for those training for spring races! Great time to see your training progress and gauge how you will attack the rest of training. Beyond that, the course is not very exciting and the pre/post-race activities are kept to a minimum. I would not recommend this race for first-time racers due to the course, scenery, minimum spectators, and pre/post-race vibes, but if you have raced before, this is a good training race.
Out and back inspirational run.
This run honors heart survivors and patients. It is pretty inspirational to be running next to someone who has received a new heart. As a race, it is really hilly, … MORE
This run honors heart survivors and patients. It is pretty inspirational to be running next to someone who has received a new heart. As a race, it is really hilly, but the major hill is well supported by the crowds and everyone is pushing each other. Great big race that is for a greater purpose.
Hilly out and back
Certainly not my favorite race. Used this as a training run so ran 6 miles prior to the half marathon. Great hill workout but not much scenery. MORE
Certainly not my favorite race. Used this as a training run so ran 6 miles prior to the half marathon. Great hill workout but not much scenery.
Not my favorite
This is an awful race. Little or no course support, they only care about raising money and not putting on a quality event. I wish they would have a better … MORE
This is an awful race. Little or no course support, they only care about raising money and not putting on a quality event. I wish they would have a better course. Course is on Columbia Parkway with rolling hills and not great scenery.
Hardest Half EVER
This half marathon exists entirely to raise money for the American Heart Association, so my expectations were adjusted based on that. First and most importantly, this is NOT a race … MORE
This half marathon exists entirely to raise money for the American Heart Association, so my expectations were adjusted based on that. First and most importantly, this is NOT a race to run if you are looking to PR. It’s just hill after hill after rolling damn hill, with one straight uphill portion around mile 6 that will destroy you for the rest of the run, even if you’ve been running hills for a month in preparation like I’ve been. I still PR’d, but that’s more a testament of my own hard work and training than the course. The Scenery was meh for the first 7-8 miles, it’s just an out and back down a normally busy road, nothing to see really on either side but the number of people running it gets you hyped up (it’s the largest single fundraiser in Cincinnati). Race logistics were mostly smooth, though I found the expo to be lacking in anything really engaging. Swag is good for it being a fundraiser race, their priority is obviously to make money for their cause, so the medal has a cool design but is made of a lower grade metal and the shirt is cotton. I will never run it again because, THOSE DAMN HILLS, but I am glad I did this one time and would recommend everyone do it once!
Rolling course
Challenging rolling course with an initial out and back. Not much scenery but a very popular races so you will have plenty of runners around you. Very congested at the … MORE
Challenging rolling course with an initial out and back. Not much scenery but a very popular races so you will have plenty of runners around you. Very congested at the start line but opens up.
Fun but...
I love doing the heart mini however...there are a LOT of people and they let everyone go at once. Instead of lining people up by speed you’re constantly getting held … MORE
I love doing the heart mini however…there are a LOT of people and they let everyone go at once. Instead of lining people up by speed you’re constantly getting held up by people casually waking, etc and it’s a bit annoying. Other than that, a good time and it’s for a great cause.
A lot of positive energy!
Plenty of water stations and great volunteers! Torrence hill is always a challenge but its great to come back down! Plenty if parking available and close to the finish. The … MORE
Plenty of water stations and great volunteers! Torrence hill is always a challenge but its great to come back down! Plenty if parking available and close to the finish. The post race celebration area is very nice. This is a great fund raising run!
Worst Half marathon ever.
No scenery, no crowd support, nothing but rolling hills with a difficult unnecessary hill climb around mile 6. This event is more worried about raising money for the American Heart … MORE
No scenery, no crowd support, nothing but rolling hills with a difficult unnecessary hill climb around mile 6. This event is more worried about raising money for the American Heart Association than putting on a good event. Medal was awful and you had to hunt for a post race bottle of water with no bananas etc.
Fantastic race with PR time.
Cold weather with great atmosphere for running. With lots of support from the organiser along the race course. Ran up and down Torrence Hill was the highlight of the race. MORE
Cold weather with great atmosphere for running. With lots of support from the organiser along the race course. Ran up and down Torrence Hill was the highlight of the race.
Very hilly course, damn Torrence!
This is a very hilly course. It runs along Columbia Parkway for the majority of miles. It does overlook the Ohio River, but since it is mostly an out and … MORE
This is a very hilly course. It runs along Columbia Parkway for the majority of miles. It does overlook the Ohio River, but since it is mostly an out and back, not as scenic as other races. The Torrence hill in a beast and running across the bridges to and from Kentucky is always a challenge.