This was my first experience with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint!! I did the 4 Way with Extra Cheese Challenge (1 Miler Friday, … MORE
This was my first experience with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint!! I did the 4 Way with Extra Cheese Challenge (1 Miler Friday, 10K and 5K Saturday, Full Marathon Sunday) and it made the trip from NH worth it! Everything from the Expo to the races to the post race parties were so much fun. I felt like I got so much out of the race pricing- soft t-shirts for each event (my preference over the technical shirts), adorable medals, plus a challenge medal, poster, duffel bag, some of the best swag I’ve gotten from a race. I love how they leaned in to the Pig theme (“Pig Pens” vs corrals, “Finish Swine” vs Finish line, etc.), it was whimsical and cute! The marathon course was challenging but beautiful, I stopped several times to take pictures along the way. My goal was to have fun with the race and try a lot of the aid station snacks, they had interesting choices like bacon and girl scout cookies on course. The crowds were fantastic, upwards of 90% of the course was lined with spectators and it made the race go by so fast. If you want to hear more details, check out Episode 107-The Outro of the On The Runs Podcast for a full recap. All in All, logistics were handled very well for this race and I will be headed back to Cincinnati someday soon for another Marathon weekend!
Wonderful Weekend of Flying Pig Events!!
This was my first experience with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint!! I did the 4 Way with Extra Cheese Challenge (1 Miler Friday, … MORE
This was my first experience with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint!! I did the 4 Way with Extra Cheese Challenge (1 Miler Friday, 10K and 5K Saturday, Full Marathon Sunday) and it made the trip from NH worth it! Everything from the Expo to the races to the post race parties were so much fun. I felt like I got so much out of the race pricing- soft t-shirts for each event (my preference over the technical shirts), adorable medals, plus a challenge medal, poster, duffel bag, some of the best swag I’ve gotten from a race. I love how they leaned in to the Pig theme (“Pig Pens” vs corrals, “Finish Swine” vs Finish line, etc.), it was whimsical and cute! The marathon course was challenging but beautiful, I stopped several times to take pictures along the way. My goal was to have fun with the race and try a lot of the aid station snacks, they had interesting choices like bacon and girl scout cookies on course. The crowds were fantastic, upwards of 90% of the course was lined with spectators and it made the race go by so fast. If you want to hear more details, check out Episode 107-The Outro of the On The Runs Podcast for a full recap. All in All, logistics were handled very well for this race and I will be headed back to Cincinnati someday soon for another Marathon weekend!
Best.race.ever
Great crowd support and a fantastic course! This race is so much fun, I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for either their first marathon or 50th. You won't … MORE
Great crowd support and a fantastic course! This race is so much fun, I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for either their first marathon or 50th. You won’t be disappointed!
My favorite hometown race
Even though I signed up for the marathon, my left foot kept me from finishing the marathon. I did end up finishing the half marathon and appreciate all the crowd … MORE
Even though I signed up for the marathon, my left foot kept me from finishing the marathon. I did end up finishing the half marathon and appreciate all the crowd support.
I did continue on the marathon course for as far as I could, signed up for next year as I want my 10th Flying Pig marathon finish.
I’ll be back in 2025!
I had an amazing weekend! The expo was everything!! Lots of freebies and great items to purchase. Also lots of opportunities for pics. All the races were well organized with … MORE
I had an amazing weekend! The expo was everything!! Lots of freebies and great items to purchase. Also lots of opportunities for pics.
All the races were well organized with sufficient crowd support along the way. A few hills in the 10K and a lot more in the half but if you train for hills, you will be fine. The view on the way to and at mile 7 is beautiful. It was pretty much downhill after mile 7. That was the biggest incline. The recovery area had a lot of post race fuel, photo opportunities and spots to just hang out. It was great having access to the post race hotel shuttles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the race weekend.
One of the best
My expectations were high coming into this race, because I have heard about it for years. It did not disappoint. When I arrived at the CVG airport, there was a … MORE
My expectations were high coming into this race, because I have heard about it for years. It did not disappoint.
When I arrived at the CVG airport, there was a lady dressed in an oversized pig outfit taking pictures with race participants and handing out goody bags. I knew this would be a fun one. The expo had the pig-theme throughout, it was large and had a lot of merch. I have to say that the official race merch through Asics was way too expensive, but it didn’t stop me from buying something.
Race Day in 2024 was beautiful, if slightly warm (in the 60s from the start). The course is hilly throughout, with all of the elevation gain the first 14 miles. Try to hold back as long as possible because your legs will start crying at 20 miles.
The volunteers and spectator support in the race is phenomenal. There were aid stations almost every mile it seems, and people cheering almost the entire course. This support comes close to the Majors, as I’ve done them all. There were various people dressed in pig attire throughout, and it just felt like running through a fun party, although admittedly the course and temperature can wear you down a little.
The after-party is large with many food and drink options.
Definitely a must-do for marathon lovers!
sweaty but slayed!!
this was my first ever marathon!! For starters, it’s a hilly but fun course going through the city. it was super hot this year and given that training went through … MORE
this was my first ever marathon!! For starters, it’s a hilly but fun course going through the city. it was super hot this year and given that training went through the winter, I didn’t have many hot training runs. HOWEVER, the race was organized and prepared for the heat! water/gatorade at every mile, passing out cold towels, hose showers to cool us down. the course was red flagged for heat so that definitely slowed us down but the that did not stop the city. crowd support was excellent throughout the course, the energy kept me going!!! overall, I would 11/10 recommend this race. It’s voted the best marathon for a reason. the entire weekend from the expo to the actual race there was a special energy and buzz around the city. I definitely felt like I was a part of something special, and you can’t beat the feeling of being a part of a marathon like this. I will 100% be back to race again!
Cincy for the win
Those hills don't stop so train hard. That crowd support didn't stop either, what a city! I enjoyed every step of this race so much that I never hit "the … MORE
Those hills don’t stop so train hard. That crowd support didn’t stop either, what a city! I enjoyed every step of this race so much that I never hit “the wall”! Im so glad I trained hard, I needed it to finish well.
All uphill, but full of fun.
Spend half of the training on uphill workouts, and bring plenty of water and fuel. It is a very popular race, so get to the corrals early - meaning be … MORE
Spend half of the training on uphill workouts, and bring plenty of water and fuel. It is a very popular race, so get to the corrals early – meaning be downtown and parking an hour before the start. Everyone there is to have fun, and it a course to have fun in – not as much as going for time. It will push you to great lengths, but definitely worth every second.
Super fun but hard
This was my first BIG half marathon race. The day was hot l, humid and sunny. The course difficulty was up there because of the hills and humidity. The spectators … MORE
This was my first BIG half marathon race. The day was hot l, humid and sunny. The course difficulty was up there because of the hills and humidity. The spectators and volunteers were fantastic. It seemed like the whole city came out to cheer everyone on. The finish SWINE was great. Big party. Lots of food and water. Great photo opportunities as well. We drove 6 hours to participate in this event and it was definitely worth it. I’d try to run the marathon in a few years for sure! Great event Cincinnati!
Best race I’ve ever done
This was not my first marathon, but I wish it had been. Hands down the best experience I have ever had. Everything from expo, logistics, course support, atmosphere, swag, and … MORE
This was not my first marathon, but I wish it had been. Hands down the best experience I have ever had. Everything from expo, logistics, course support, atmosphere, swag, and post race party was amazing! There’s a reason this race got named best in the country. I am definitely going to do this race again! I even brought my dog for Flying Fur! We both had a great time!
Make the Pig your Time to Fly
I fell in love with this race doing the relay in 2008. I worked my way up to being able to run 26.2 in 2014 . It will continue to … MORE
I fell in love with this race doing the relay in 2008. I worked my way up to being able to run 26.2 in 2014 . It will continue to be my favorite of all time. The entire weekend is so fun. From the Diaper Dash to the Flying Fur, 1 mile to 26.2, Pig Works has opportunities for everyone at every level to participate. The race is organized and efficiently managed, the crowd support is amazing and very spectator-friendly. It is a challenging course but it takes you through the city so you can see so many landmarks and fun neighborhoods. The media, the volunteers, cheerleaders, first responders keeping us safe and especially the runners will convince you that this is a race you want to come back for every year. Pig Works helps everyone to fly high and reach the Finish Swine 🐷💕🐽
Great first 13.1 experience
I loved this race, I see why it is #1. It is VERY hilly though and I would not recommend if a brand new runner. I have ran for years … MORE
I loved this race, I see why it is #1. It is VERY hilly though and I would not recommend if a brand new runner. I have ran for years and I think this course is the most I’ve ever been challenged. But the spectators and officials/volunteers were so great and it helped push me through to the end. I would definitely do this race again, with more training on hills next time:)
Best possible first marathon!
I have participated in other Flying Pig weekend events before, but never the marathon. This was my first ever marathon and I really couldn't have asked for a better first … MORE
I have participated in other Flying Pig weekend events before, but never the marathon. This was my first ever marathon and I really couldn’t have asked for a better first marathon! You get to see so many beautiful sites around the city and the course is challenging but not overwhelming. It was very hot and humid on race day, but the race officials and volunteers were top tier with the on-course support. Cannot wait for my next Flying Pig Marathon!!
Cincinnati
The expo, the swag and the race were all around amazing. I wasn't prepared for the elevation changes or the heat but I would still highly recommend this course. I … MORE
The expo, the swag and the race were all around amazing. I wasn’t prepared for the elevation changes or the heat but I would still highly recommend this course. I will be back.
Great day for a race!
You can't believe the crowd support through out the entire course. Once you climb the hill past the Krohns Conservatory you have fantastic views of the Ohio River Valley. The … MORE
You can’t believe the crowd support through out the entire course. Once you climb the hill past the Krohns Conservatory you have fantastic views of the Ohio River Valley. The water stations were many and entertaining with many local schools manning and cheering you along.
The final stretch to the Finish Swine is not to be missed. Great weekend of racing.
The Best Around
I had heard for years how good the Flying Pig Race Weekend was. I found out firsthand, everyone was right! We got in on Friday and spent nearly 2 hours … MORE
I had heard for years how good the Flying Pig Race Weekend was. I found out firsthand, everyone was right!
We got in on Friday and spent nearly 2 hours at the massive race expo. On top of my half on Sunday, my wife, son, and I were all signed up for the 5K Saturday morning. They got to enjoy the expo as runners as well. We stayed in the hotel across the street from the expo and about 3 blocks from the start lines- VERY convenient but also VERY VERY expensive.
Sunday’s races (half and full) start at 630. It is still dark at as you’re heading down to the start line with over 15,000 of your new best friends. Dawn was just breaking as we started. (It took about 3 miles for me to not be crowded running and I was in corral B. I can’t image how crowded it is the further back you are.)
The course starts next to Paycor Stadium (home of the Bengals) and runs through downtown before quickly heading over a bridge into Kentucky. You run through Kentucky briefly, with its own bridge, before crossing another bigger bridge back into Ohio. This is all in the first 3.5 miles. As a pacer said before the start, the bridges are silently hilly. Yep! The Kentucky side of the race did have great crown support.
Now, the forecast for this race was low 60s. I thought being at dawn and low 60s, perfect weather, right? Well, the humidity was about 96% during the race. The bridge hills and the mugginess broke me off pretty quick.
After you’re back in Ohio, you come around to 7th street which runs through more of the downtown area for a couple of miles. Big time crown support as you cruise down this relatively flat section of the course. Then, about mile 5.5, you get to forget about all of your relaxing running. Here come the hills. From 5 and a half to the end of 8, it is a mental gut check as you climb to the top of the city. About half way through that climb, however, as you are coming out of a really nice park next to the Cincinatti Art Museum, you get spectacular views of the sun coming up over the river and the Kentucky hill side on the horizon: beautiful.
At the end of mile 8 you come through a nice, older part of town. The crown support here is insane! Its also where the half and full split. Miles 9 and 10 have some more hills but they even out with some downhills as well. And then the fun part- mile 11 is nearly all down hill! I was able to open my stride and really move, and it felt great on my muscles after all that hill climbing. 12 and 13 are slightly downhill and mostly flat, but mile 11 got me moving and I ran my fastest 5k of the race in the last 5k of the race (normally I’m dying on the last 5k of a race).
Coming down the big hill, at about mile 10.5, you are on the same road where folks are running up the hill headed out (their mile 6). The crowd of thousands working their way up the hill as you are cruising down the hill is a site to see! And I would be lying if I said I didn’t think to myself I am glad I was headed down the hill and through those hills they were all starting.
The finish “swine” is awesome. The post race party is huge. You finish in the park next to the river right by the stadium again.
It felt like there were water stations nearly every mile. And every station had plenty of Gatorade and water. The volunteers are amazing. I had to run past 10-15 Gatorade folks just to get to the 10-15 water folks at every station. And I drank water at EVERY station due to the heat index. I saw lots of porta johns but am not sure how often they were.
The finisher medal is pretty much the same every year. The shirts are cool. You get a bag, magnet, and poster as well if you are doing the half or full.
Pictures are NOT free. But they take a lot. I think there are 60 photos of me if I choose to purchase them for $65, versus the 8 photos of my son in the 5k that I can purchase for $65. 🙂
Great race, devastating hills. Not a race designed for a PR, but a race that will test you mentally and have you enjoying the last few miles better than I have in most other races.
Atmosphere is amazing
The spectators/volunteers are what make this race amazing and why it’s #1. Cincinnati is known for hills and it sure is real come race day even with all the practice … MORE
The spectators/volunteers are what make this race amazing and why it’s #1. Cincinnati is known for hills and it sure is real come race day even with all the practice on them I had done. The flying pig is a must race and I wouldn’t have imagined anywhere else for my first marathon.
Amazing and exciting race
The race has an amazing reputation and for a great reason. You feel the crowd support through all 13.1 miles. The city comes alive for this race. The hills are … MORE
The race has an amazing reputation and for a great reason. You feel the crowd support through all 13.1 miles. The city comes alive for this race. The hills are challenging but mile 11 is the most fun I’ve ever had during a race and makes you forget all the other uphill miles. The climb is steady and the decline is fast and fun. The scenery is beautiful and the race is a great way to see the city.
Pigtastic!
Lots of crowd support, beautiful scenery and promises of course support were kept!! The expo is really nice with lots of variety of vendors and fun things to see! If … MORE
Lots of crowd support, beautiful scenery and promises of course support were kept!! The expo is really nice with lots of variety of vendors and fun things to see! If you forgot something coming into the race you can find it at the expo. The swag is the best of any race I have ever done!
First Marathon!
A challenging course, but worth it due to the staff and experience team. The fans are amazing. The environment is fantastic. It was tough, but I wasn’t prepared for the … MORE
A challenging course, but worth it due to the staff and experience team. The fans are amazing. The environment is fantastic. It was tough, but I wasn’t prepared for the heat. I love Cincy. It’s a great area. I’d run the Pig again.