Overall Rating
Overall Rating (376 Reviews)
4.8
(376 Ratings) 🏆 (376 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.6
SCENERY
4.2
PRODUCTION
4.6
SWAG
4.7
Bee-lieve it, girlfriend. There’s a women’s half marathon in Cincinnati. The Queen Bee Half Marathon is on a mission: to promote the fun of fitness while raising support and funds for local charities that focus on women. Race weekend will include plenty of pampering, swag, and fun—the perfect ingredients for … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 11):
  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
 
H (°F)  75  70  74  80  72
L (°F)  44  37  42  61  62
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Recent reviews

    danielle.kearns4 REPEAT RUNNER '24

    The support is awesome, the swag is great, the race is very well organized and well-run. I love being surrounded by mostly women in this race. The first 7 miles … MORE

    The support is awesome, the swag is great, the race is very well organized and well-run. I love being surrounded by mostly women in this race. The first 7 miles of the course are very pretty and exciting, but the last 6 miles are a bit boring and quieter. The aid station spacing was perfect and the weather is typically ideal for a personal best!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    [email protected] REPEAT RUNNER '24

    The first three miles are tough up Eden Park. After that, it's a steady decline for the most part. Great participation from the community all around. The weather was perfect … MORE

    The first three miles are tough up Eden Park. After that, it’s a steady decline for the most part. Great participation from the community all around. The weather was perfect this year.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
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    jdoty314 FIRST-TIMER '24

    Great aid stations + frequent! Most fun I've had running a half! The spectators were fantastic! Beautiful medal and lovely post race food options + fun! Will definitely run this MORE

    Great aid stations + frequent! Most fun I’ve had running a half! The spectators were fantastic! Beautiful medal and lovely post race food options + fun! Will definitely run this again!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
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    angelanstrack REPEAT RUNNER '24

    I do this race every year. The crowd are amazing. My favorite part is the after party. There’s so many vendors there. I do the flying pig too, so I … MORE

    I do this race every year. The crowd are amazing. My favorite part is the after party. There’s so many vendors there. I do the flying pig too, so I get an extra metal. I absolutely love this race and everything that comes with it.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    DianaFazio REPEAT RUNNER '24

    I love this race for women. This is my 3rd time running the Queen Bee and I plan to run it every year. It’s one of my favorites. It is … MORE

    I love this race for women. This is my 3rd time running the Queen Bee and I plan to run it every year. It’s one of my favorites. It is very well organized, has great support along the entire route and the after party is fabulous. Great food and drink and Sunflowers. The Snout and Stinger medal is an added bonus.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    absltgodss REPEAT RUNNER '24

    The course has wonderful spectator support. The snacks provided should satisfy everyone! I love that the big hills are in the beginning so by the end you only have a … MORE

    The course has wonderful spectator support. The snacks provided should satisfy everyone! I love that the big hills are in the beginning so by the end you only have a few small hills.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
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    sarahsizemore FIRST-TIMER '24

    This was absolutely the best course I have run on. The crowd showed up and cheered the whole way!! I was genuinely so happy the entire time. The helpers along … MORE

    This was absolutely the best course I have run on. The crowd showed up and cheered the whole way!! I was genuinely so happy the entire time. The helpers along the course were so sweet and made me feel special as a runner. The course was hilly in the beginning but then became rolling hills for the rest of it. I loved it!! I had a PR of 5 mins on this course. Merch was amazing too!!! Long sleeve asics shirt.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
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    Tarynvest FIRST-TIMER '24

    Loved everything about this race. This was my first real race and my first half marathon, the people running with you were amazing! The workers and people cheering you on … MORE

    Loved everything about this race. This was my first real race and my first half marathon, the people running with you were amazing! The workers and people cheering you on on the sidelines were also amazing, there wasn’t a spot in the race i didn’t feel like smiling and so encouraged. I would recommend this race to anyone, the views the course the organization it was all top tier.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    hgeenalee FIRST-TIMER '24

    Beautiful scenery as you run up hill and see the sun come up over the river. Some hills, yes, but not bad at all and worth the view. Mostly flat … MORE

    Beautiful scenery as you run up hill and see the sun come up over the river. Some hills, yes, but not bad at all and worth the view. Mostly flat after the first few miles. Great supporters along the way.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    ldiebold12 REPEAT RUNNER '24

    After having run the Flying Pig Half 3 times, it finally worked out in my schedule to do the Queen Bee this year! I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life … MORE

    After having run the Flying Pig Half 3 times, it finally worked out in my schedule to do the Queen Bee this year! I’ve lived in Cincinnati my whole life and it’s true when they say the hills here are no joke. However, the queen bee course takes the hardest hill from the flying pig and gets it over with while your legs are fresh. Now this is not to say there aren’t any more hills, there most definitely are, but after about mile 2.5-3, any hills you encounter will be small in comparison to going up Gilbert and Eden Park Dr. Starting and ending in the heart of downtown this race takes you through some of the beautiful sights of the east side of Cincinnati and is almost exactly the 2nd half of the Flying Pig full marathon without going into Mariemont. If you love long straightaway finishes this is most definitely the race for you. Once you cross over to Riverside Dr. around mile 8 that’s where you’re staying until the finish. The last 4-5 miles can get a little boring in terms of scenery, especially if you’re from the area and have already run these areas a few times. The race does do a great job of having aid lots of aid stations along the course to give you something to look forward to each mile as well as lots of volunteers whose job it is to just cheer for all the runners! It helps to keep the more “boring” parts of the race a little more exciting. This race is one I will most definitely be doing again and recommending to all my female runner friends! Pig Works knows how to put on a great race!!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    jpscheidt FIRST-TIMER '24

    October is the perfect time of year for this race; just cool enough to keep you comfortable while running. Going through Eden park and seeing the sunrise was such a … MORE

    October is the perfect time of year for this race; just cool enough to keep you comfortable while running. Going through Eden park and seeing the sunrise was such a beautiful thing to see at the start of the race! Most of the hills are at the beginning, which was nice to get them out of the way. The expo was very organized, the race swag and post-race snacks and goodies were wonderful!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    tzamarripa REPEAT RUNNER '24

    The course, similar to Flying Pig has a 3 mile climb and a 3 mile “rolling” hills. Unlike the Pig, you start in your climb which is great for those … MORE

    The course, similar to Flying Pig has a 3 mile climb and a 3 mile “rolling” hills. Unlike the Pig, you start in your climb which is great for those that struggle to pace.

    Swag is always stellar. Parking is easy. The crowd is fabulous and the flat course along the river is good deal. After party on the river is top notch – especially with medal engraving and free pancakes!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5
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    Pho19 FIRST-TIMER '24

    Registered for this race when we missed the window for Flying Pig. I was absolutely blown away by how FUN it was!!! Great crowd support throughout the entire course including … MORE

    Registered for this race when we missed the window for Flying Pig. I was absolutely blown away by how FUN it was!!! Great crowd support throughout the entire course including fabulous musicians, peppy cheer leaders, tons of food offerings (candy, oranges, Stinger gummies and gel, cookies, etc). 10+ aid stations along the half
    marathon route. Nice expo and swag, again with lots of offerings. Fun after party where runners each got a sunflower, which was such a special touch! Course had some hills but lots to look at. The biggest negative I would have to say is the expo ending at 6pm EST.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    Evelyn_Guzman REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Queen Bee is always one of my favorite races! Well organized, great atmosphere, and awesome medals! I highly recommend doing the Queen Bee! MORE

    Queen Bee is always one of my favorite races! Well organized, great atmosphere, and awesome medals! I highly recommend doing the Queen Bee!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    mcb573 FIRST-TIMER '23

    This race is well organized and has tons of crowd support. The signs and cheers and smiles help keep you going, even on the tough hills. Lots of people warned … MORE

    This race is well organized and has tons of crowd support. The signs and cheers and smiles help keep you going, even on the tough hills. Lots of people warned me against the hills and I was a little worried, but they ended up not being totally killer. Make sure you do plenty of hill training and they’ll be doable, especially when the big inclines taper off in the second half of the race. Even with the hills I managed to knock 24 minutes off my previous half marathon PR.

    I don’t typically like repeat a course, but I’ll definitely be back to the Queen Bee again one day! The atmosphere, the swag, and the supportive of all the women there is unbeatable.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
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    kkrugerwallace REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Hilly. Best water/food and cheer stops especially the cheer group at about 6.5 miles. Swag was cool with real medals. They partner with Pigs Fly so you can get a … MORE

    Hilly. Best water/food and cheer stops especially the cheer group at about 6.5 miles. Swag was cool with real medals. They partner with Pigs Fly so you can get a stinger/snout metal! Weather just about perfect. Supports women charities!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    angie.lucas313 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Time of year is perfect, weather was amazing! Really love this course, definitely has some hills but the crowd support is awesome. Love the support of charities that focus on … MORE

    Time of year is perfect, weather was amazing!
    Really love this course, definitely has some hills but the crowd support is awesome. Love the support of charities that focus on women too.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    tryingtorun REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Great aid stations - 9 or 10 water stops! Constant crowd support and cheering along the way. Good course with some nice views and a challenging hill climb at the MORE

    Great aid stations – 9 or 10 water stops! Constant crowd support and cheering along the way. Good course with some nice views and a challenging hill climb at the start

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Very hilly. Love the swag, expo could have been better this year. Weather wasn't too bad, a little chilly at the start. Not best time but did finish. MORE

    Very hilly. Love the swag, expo could have been better this year. Weather wasn’t too bad, a little chilly at the start. Not best time but did finish.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    2
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    bolandpl REPEAT RUNNER '23

    The best Ladies only half marathon I have ever done. From keeping runners informed before the race, during and finish. Questions no worries they will respond quickly. Love the support … MORE

    The best Ladies only half marathon I have ever done. From keeping runners informed before the race, during and finish. Questions no worries they will respond quickly. Love the support along the way. Never a disappointment with Pig Works they think of every detail.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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