Run the Flying Pig in Cincy!
Are you ready to see pigs fly in Cincy this May? Every year thousands of “pigs” come from near and far to participate in a weekend full of road races, all with the same motivation: reaching the finish swine!
What is the Flying Pig?
The Flying Pig Marathon (a reference to Cincinnati’s historical nickname “Porkopolis”) launched in 1999 as a traditional marathon road race, covering a course that winded through 26.2 challenging miles. Since it's inception, the event has grown into a several-day event with a variety of races fit for all ages and skill levels.
The Flying Pig is one of the top major marathons in the country, with 40,000+ runners participating in its numerous race events. Known for being a particularly challenging course (reminder: this IS a city of seven hills), this race winds through downtown Cincinnati, up to Eden Park, into Walnut Hills and Hyde Park, to Mariemont and back down through Mt. Lookout – eventually crossing the bridge into Northern Kentucky to traverse Newport, Covington and then finish triumphantly back in downtown Cincinnati near Paycor Stadium.
Don’t know what any of that means? That’s fine – simply put, this course will show you a variety of the beautiful and different neighborhoods in the Cincy Region. Over 26 miles worth of them, to be exact!
Don’t let the challenge deter you! Much like most of Cincy’s culture: you’re in for a memorable, quirky and FUN time!
Credit: @runflyingpig on Instagram
Events/Weekend Schedule
Friday, May 3, 2024
- P & G Fitness Expo, Duke Energy Convention Center, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. - pick up your race packet and peruse an expo full of fitness and wellness participants
- 50 West Mile, 7 p.m. - A 1 mile long race that kicks off the weekend events
Saturday, May 4, 2024
- Toyota 10k, 7 a.m. - 6.2 mile long race
- Family Fun Festival, Smale Park, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. - party at Smale Park while you wait on racers to finish, or celebrate your own race with food, drinks and other vendors
- Queen City Running 5k, 9 a.m. - 3.1 mile long race
- First Watch Flying Piglet, Smale Park, 10 a.m. - an adorable "race" for piglets! Sign up your little ones to run a 0.6 mile race for their own medal
- P & G Fitness Expo, Duke Energy Convention Center, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - pick up your race packet and peruse an expo full of fitness and wellness participants
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital 26th Mile, 11 a.m. - Sign your kids up for this feel-good, 1 mile long race!
- Goodwill PigAbilities, 12 p.m. - A race designed for participants (and supporters of participants) to run, walk or roll at their own pace across the official Flying Pig Marathon finish swine
- Bounce Flying Fur, 1 p.m. - A 1.3 mile long race to run with your furry friends
Sunday, May 5, 2024
- P & G Flying Pig Marathon, 6:30 a.m. - The big event, a 26.2 mile long race!
- Paycor Half Marathon, 6:30 a.m. - A classic half marathon, 13.1 mile long race
- CityDash 4 - Person Relay, 6:30 a.m. - An opportunity for teams of four runners to complete all 26.2 miles in shifts
- Michelob Ultra Victory Party, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Celebrate crossing the finish swine, or celebrate with your friends and loved ones who did. Drinks, food and other vendors available
Planning Your Trip
Visiting Cincy for the first time to run The Pig? Let us help you make the most of your trip!
Getting around
Chances are, you flew into CVG Airport. If so, you can easily get downtown via the TANK, one of our public transportation providers. The 2x Airporter route stops at multiple locations in downtown proper, and the fare is only $2.
Once downtown, you can easily access the race start and finish line (and many other attractions!) using the Connector Streetcar. Even better: it's free! Check out the Connector route map. If using a rental car, there are various public lots downtown as well; be sure to prepare ahead of race day as they will be full.
Spectator tips and tricks
Just because you aren't running doesn't mean you can't make the most out of your Flying Pig experience! The race is only as good as the spectators - and your participation truly helps get every runner to the finish swine and create lifelong memories.
Make noise! Clap, cheer, yell out encouragement! Identify positively with individual runners - you never know the impact you can make. If you really want to make a big difference, stake out a particularly difficult part of the course. The hill in Eden Park, or the final stretch before the finish swine would be a great place to give some much needed praise.
Where to carbo-load
If you're feeling like prepping for The Pig like a REAL local, you could always feast on Cincinnati-style chili! This Mediterranean recipe dates back to Greek immigrants settling in Cincinnati, bringing with them a meat sauce featuring notes of cinnamon and yes, chocolate! Served over top noodles and with your choice of "way" (indicating topping), it is then piled high with shredded cheese. Weird? Sure. But don't knock it until you try it! There's a reason why we all eat it and LOVE it.
If standard Italian fare is more your thing, we've got you covered too. Find some of Cincy's best Italian spots on both sides of the river featured below.
