CINCINNATI — It's been more than a year since the last in-person Flying Pig Marathon weekend, but starting Friday that all changes.
What You Need To Know
- Flying Pig Marathon events take place from Friday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 31
- The signature races — the Flying Pig Marathon on Queen Bee Half Marathon — are Sunday morning
- The events, which typically take place in May, were held in a virtual format last year
- Annually, the three-day race weekend has a $14 million economic impact for the region
The Flying Pig Marathon is a Cincinnati institution. Now, in its 22nd year, the weekend of race-related events draws tens of thousands of local and out-of-town racers every year. In a normal year, the weekend has an annual economic impact of more than $14 million.
Events take place from Friday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 31. The signature Flying Pig Marathon and Queen Bee Half Marathon take place at the same time on Sunday.
Registration is open for all events starting Friday at noon. That takes place at the Duke Energy Convention Center, home of the Flying Pig P&G Health and Fitness Expo. Racers can pick up their race-day packet and gear at that time as well.
“The running community has been so loyal to us through these last 18 months and it’s because of them that we’re back with the Queen Bee and Flying Pig Marathons are ready to return," said Iris Simpson Bush, president and CEO of Pig Works, which hosts the Flying Pig.
Jack Randall, the defending marathon champ, said the event is a staple for so many local runners and walkers.
"During the training cycle, I find it incredible how many individuals and groups you see out training all over the city," he said. "It really is the city's biggest party."
The Flying Pig Marathon and Queen Bee Half Marathon were held virtually last year due to COVID-19. The race, which typically takes place in May, was bumped back to October due to lingering concerns about health and safety.
The famed Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathons both took place earlier this month, as did the Columbus Marathon.
"Boston, Chicago, Columbus all ran this month and we’re so thrilled to be able to join them with an in-person event to thank our sponsors, volunteers and participants for their support," Simpson Bush said.
With health and safety or racers and supporters in mind, event organizers decided to reduce capacities for all races this year.
They're also asking staff, volunteers and race participants to take precautions throughout the weekend, that includes requiring masks inside the P&G Health and Fitness Expo, on relay buses and in medical tents.
Race participants are encouraged to wear a mask within their corrals and at the start line, but they may be removed once on the course. All volunteers are required to wear a mask throughout the weekend.
Organizers are hosting several virtual races this year as well. That includes the Flying Pig Marathon, the Queen Bee Half Marathon and the Medpace 4 Miler. Registration for those events closes Saturday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m.
Events for children under 12 have been postponed to 2022.
The 2019 Flying Pig Marathon featured its largest-ever international field, with runners representing 29 countries. The total for all three days of events this year is 42,746 registered participants, just behind 2018's record total participation of 43,127. Registration represented all 50 states.
Organizers don't believe this year's field to be quite as large or international given the ongoing challenges related to pandemic. But they expect a good turnout overall and are just happy to be running again.
“We are thrilled to have so many people back in person. We’re still offering a virtual option, but I think so many of our participants are ready to ‘return to flight,’" Simpson Bush added.
Next year's event is already being planned. It's set for April 29-30, and May 1, 2022.
The Course
The Flying Pig Marathon was first run in 1999. Legend has it that the idea for the route came about after Paycor CEO Bob Coughlin and other runners drew a proposed course on a cocktail napkin at O’Bryon’s on Madison Road after a training run.
Now, 22 years later, the course “flies” along 26.2 miles worth of streets in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
The race starts outside Smale Riverfront Park in downtown Cincinnati before turning south toward Kentucky and winding through parts of Covington and Newport.
The race then comes back across the river and heads through Mariemont, Fairfax and Columbia Township before returning to several Cincinnati neighborhoods and finishing back downtown.
The 26.2-mile course presents what organizers call a "well-balanced, diverse tour of some of the best neighborhoods in the area."
Those interested in watching or cheering on racers can find route locations and parking information on the Flying Pig website. They also list related road closures.
Past winners back in the field
The reigning men's and women's champions — Randall and Anne Flower — are returning to the race field this weekend to defend their titles.
Randall, 26, from Pleasant Ridge, won the 2019 marathon in a time of 2:28:58, almost five minutes faster than his winning time in 2017. Second in 2019 was 35-year-old Tim Kaiser, of Union, Ky., who is a multiple-time runner-up. Alex Gold, 24, of Peebles, came in third.
With a win on Sunday, Randall would move into second all-time in Flying Pig wins. He would surpass Rudolph Jun who won in 2000 and 2001. Sergio Reyes is the all-time winningest male in Flying Pig history. From 2009 to 2016, Reyes won five times, including three times in a row from 2012-14.
"It was really difficult to see the race canceled in 2020, although I completely understand the decision to do so," Randall said. "At the end of the day, I think the pandemic allowed me to reset and really focus on what it is that makes me love this sport, which is the friendships it has allowed me to foster."
Flower, who was also Flying Pig champ in 2016, took home a narrow victory in 2019. During that race she claimed the lead late from Caitlin Keen, the 2018 Flying Pig winner. Keen led most of the way two years ago.
Both racers are expected back in the field this year, as is former champ Kerry Lee, the cross country coach at Anderson High School in Anderson Township. After coming in second or third in the Flying Pig Marathon for six straight years, Lee won the Flying Pig Marathon in her seventh attempt in 2017.
Cecil Franke set the men's Flying Pig Marathon record in 2006, winning in a time of 2:20:25. Tatyana Pozdnyakova is the women's record-holder, setting the mark of 2:34:35 back in 2002.
Flying Pig Marathon weekend schedule
Friday, Oct. 29
Race Registration and P&G Health and Fitness Expo:
Time: Noon to 7 p.m.
Location: Duke Energy Convention Center – Halls A-C
Registration and packet pick-up for all events – free and open to the public
Fifty West Mile:
Time: 7 p.m.
Finish on Mehring Way at Anderson Pavilion
Saturday, Oct. 30
Toyota 10K:
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party:
Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
TriState Running Company 5K:
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
P&G Health and Fitness Expo:
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Duke Energy Convention Center
Registration and packet pick-up for Sunday events – free and open to the public
Queen Bee Medpace 4 Miler:
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
Flying Fur Race:
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
Sunday, Oct. 31
Opening Ceremonies:
Time: 7:15 a.m.
Location: Start Line - Elm Street at Freedom Way
Flying Pig Marathon:
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Other events:
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park
- Paycor Half Marathon
- City Dash 4-Person Relay
- Queen Bee Half Marathon
Michelob Ultra Victory Party:
Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park