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Sun, May 2 · 2027Cincinnati, OHSince 1999

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

The Flying Pig rolls through Cincinnati's hills and riverfronts in early May, asking you to earn every flat stretch before rewarding you with one of the most celebrated finishes on the regional circuit.

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CINCINNATI FLYING PIG · US
Cincinnati Flying Pig
SUN, MAY 2
2027
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Race Overview

EST. 1999

The Flying Pig starts near the Ohio riverfront and immediately reminds you that Cincinnati has hills. This is not a flat, fast city course. You run a multi-loop layout that takes you up and away from the river basin and back down, more than once. The crowds are genuinely good along the course, and the finish area back near the stadium is loud and well-organized. There is a moment coming back into the riverfront stretch where the city opens up and you feel like you might actually pull this off. Don't let it convince you to push too early.

This is a hilly course, full stop. If you are chasing a big PR, you need to respect what the elevation profile asks of you. Be patient on the first loop, especially the climbs. Save something for the back half or the second loop will punish you. It is a Boston qualifier, but the terrain means you have to run smart to hit your standard. Getting in is easy though, open registration through Race Roster with no lottery stress, so the hard part is the training and the hills themselves.

Field size
~5.3k
5,267 finishers
BQ rate
5%
Below national average
Time limit
6:40
Standard cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:17:40
Zach Kreft
2026
Women
2:34:35
Tatyana Pozdnyakova
2002

The Course

1,074 ft total gain
Total ascent
↑1,074 ft
Total descent
—
Net elevation
—
Highest point
822 ft
Lowest point
484 ft
Course shape
Multi loop
Start and finish in one place

The Flying Pig is a multi-loop course with over 1,000 feet of cumulative gain and a net elevation difference that reflects genuine work. Expect rolling hills throughout, with the course climbing from the Ohio River basin up into Cincinnati's hillier terrain before returning. The gap between the lowest and highest points is roughly 340 feet, spread across multiple ascents rather than one isolated climb. Pacing conservatively through the first loop is critical. Runners who go out hard on the early descents often pay for it in the back half. The surface is road throughout. No coasting here, treat every downhill as a reset, not free speed.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO
View official course mapDownload GPXPast results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
46°F
High
70°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

Early May in Cincinnati can be a coin-flip. The morning gun can feel cool enough that you want an extra layer at the start, but by the back half of the race the temperature can climb into the low-to-mid 60s or warmer. Humidity is a factor too, more than the temperature alone suggests. If it's a warm year, the hills will feel harder than they look on paper. Hydrate from mile one and don't let a comfortable start lull you into skipping aid stations.

Entry

OPEN

Runners can register through Race Roster for the marathon with open registration available. Charity partner registration is also offered through the official Flying Pig Marathon website.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
DAY
57 mi
from the start
≈ 90 min transferManageable drive
What to expect

Cincinnati is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), approximately 15 miles south of downtown. Most runners stay downtown for easy walking access to the start and finish lines near Paul Brown Stadium and Mehring Way.

Frequently Asked

7 questions