It's almost back!
After Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon and Queen Bee Half Marathon were postponed earlier this year, the annual event is counting down the days to kick off. Flying Pig Marathon organizers held the event fully virtually in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The headlining marathon and half marathon for the 23rd annual event will be extra spooky this year, with the race itself happening on Halloween.
Here's everything you need to know.
When is the Flying Pig this year?
The Flying Pig Marathon, Queen Bee Half Marathon and other Pig Works events will be held during the weekend of Oct. 29. The marathon and half marathon will be on Halloween, Oct. 31, kicking off at 7:30 a.m.
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How to register for the Flying Pig
Registration to participate either virtually or in-person as well as for other events is now open. Registration will close once the event is full.
Events, and cost for registration, include:
In-person events:
- Flying Pig Marathon: $125
- Flying Pig Half-Marathon: $100
- Flying Pig 10K: $55
- Flying Pig 5K: $48
- Fifty West Mile: $30
- Flying Pig Open Relay: $320
- Flying Pig Flying Fur: $40
- Skyline Chili 3-Way Challenge: $203
- Skyline Chili 3-Way Challenge with Extra Cheese: $233
- Skyline Chili 4-Way Challenge: $228
- Skyline Chili 4-Way Challenge with Extra Cheese: $258
Virtual events:
- Flying Pig Marathon: $80
- Flying Pig Half-Marathon- $70
- Flying Pig 10K- $30
- Flying Pig 5K- $25
- Fifty West Mile- $25
- Flying Pig Open Relay- $240
- Flying Pig Pigabilities- $15
- Flying Pig Piglet- $10
- Flying Pig Flying Fur- $30
- Flying Pig 26th Mile- $15
- Skyline Chili 3-Way Challenge- $125
- Skyline Chili 3-Way Challenge with Extra Cheese- $150
- Skyline Chili 4-Way Chili- $135
- Skyline Chili 4-Way Chili with Extra Cheese- $160
To register, visit the Flying Pig's website.
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How to register for the Queen Bee Half Marathon
Registration to participate either virtually or in-person in the race is open:
- In-person Queen Bee Half Marathon: $100
- In-person Queen Bee 4 Miler: $50
- Virtual Queen Bee Half Marathon: $80
- Virtual Queen Bee 4 Miler: $35
Marathon and half-marathon course routes
This year, the marathon route begins near the intersection of Elm Street and West Freedom Way in downtown Cincinnati and moves through the streets of Covington, Newport, Mariemont, Fairfax and Columbia Township
The half-marathon starts with the full marathon and goes through Cincinnati, Newport and Covington. The two groups will run together for approximately nine miles before the half-marathon will turn toward downtown and end at the marathon finish line.
The full course route and turn-by-turn directions are available on the Flying Pig's website.
Flying Pig schedule
The full schedule for the weekend is as follows:
Friday, Oct. 29
- Noon to 7 p.m.: P&G Health and Fitness Expo
- 7 p.m.: Fifty West Mile
Saturday, Oct. 30
- 7:30 a.m.: Toyota 10K
- 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party
- 9:30 a.m.: Tri-State Running Company 5K
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: P&G Health and Fitness Expo
- 11 a.m.: Queen Bee Medpace 4 Miler
- 12:30 p.m.: Flying Fur
Sunday, Oct. 31
- 7:30 a.m.: Marathon powered by P&G
- 7:30 a.m.: Paycor Half Marathon
- 7:30 a.m.: CityDash 4-Person Relay
- 7:30 a.m.: Queen Bee Half Marathon
- 8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Michelob Ultra Post Race
The Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile, Piglet, PigAbilities and other youth events will remain virtual this year and will be added back to the schedule in 2022.
What are the COVID-19 restrictions?
All volunteers will be required to wear a mask throughout the weekend, and any volunteers handing food or fluid along the course will be required to wear gloves.
Participants are strongly recommended to wear masks inside corrals and at the start of the line. They can be removed once on the course.
Masks will be required for all attendees while inside the P&G Health and Fitness Expo, on relay buses and in medical tents. Hand sanitizer will also be available at various locations throughout the weekend.
Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications public relations spokesperson for the Flying Pig, told The Enquirer in September that no vaccination cards or test results were mandatory.
How to watch the Flying Pig
The Flying Pig encourages all spectators to support runners as they complete the race. To help keep runners motivated, you can set up a spectator spot on a hill or more challenging section of the course, cheer, make signs, play music and have a party with friends and neighbors if a course travels past your area.
The marathon will move through these neighborhoods and areas:
- Newport
- Covington
- Downtown Cincinnati
- Mt. Adams/Eden Park
- Walnut Hills
- East Walnut Hills
- O'Bryonville
- Hyde Park
- Hyde Park East
- Oakley
- Madisonville
- Mariemont
- Fairfax
- Linwood
- Columbia Tusculum
- East End
Parking and transportation for the Flying Pig
After events on Sunday, yellow First Student Charter UBOAR school buses will be shuttled back to downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, running from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The buses will pick up near the finish line on Elm Street at East Freedom Way, with the first stop at the Hyatt, Milennium, Hilton and Westin hotels.
The buses will make trips to the relay loading zone, Queen City Parking Garage and Residence Inn.
In Northern Kentucky, the buses will drop off at the Hampton Inn and Newport on the Levee parking in Newport. They'll drop off at Embassy Suites, Marriott Rivercenter, Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriott Radisson Hotel and Fourth Street parking lots in Covington.
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