One of the tri-state’s most marquee events is back. Cincinnati’s famous Flying Pig Marathon will take place from April 29 to May 1. The 24th Annual Flying Pig will feature an expected 30,000 participants from 47 out of 50 US states and 15 countries.
The Flying Pig was first run in 1999 after being conceived by Paycor founder Bob Coughlin and other local runners after drawing the concept on a cocktail napkin at O’Bryon’s after a training session. The Flying Pig Marathon, a non-profit, will help over 300 charities raise more than $1 million this year. The marathon has an annual economic impact of $14 million according to a study by Xavier University.
In the Flying Pig Marathon’s “Race Week Notes,” three Northern Kentucky runners were highlighted in the Runners to Watch category for the upcoming races.
Bib 3339, Zac Holtkamp, 29, Alexandria, KY
Zac Holtkamp won this year’s Heart Half Marathon in 1:10:44. At this year’s Mesa Marathon, he finished in second place with a time of 2:22:29, his personal best.
Bib 1796, Tim Kaiser, 38, Union, KY
Tim Kaiser finished second in the 2018 and 2019 Flying Pig Marathons. In 2018, he won the Heart Mini Marathon in a time of 1:12:35.
Bib 990, William Cadwell, 24, Covington, KY
In last October’s Fall Flying Pig weekend, William Cadwell won the Toyota 10K in 34:07. He also won the FCC 3 last July. He won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon in 2021, his first marathon win, in a time of 2:26:34.
Below is the schedule for the weekend of the marathon.
Friday, April 29
P&G Health and Fitness Expo 12–7 p.m.
Packet pick-up for all events – free and open to the public
Duke Energy Convention Center – Halls A-C
Fifty West Mile, second leg of the TQL Beer Series 7 p.m.
Finish on Mehring Way at Smale Riverfront Park
Note: Elite female and male runners will finish in the last heat of the race
Saturday, April 30
Toyota 10K 7 a.m.
Smale Riverfront Park
Note: Expect male champion to finish at 7:34 a.m.
Note: Expect female champion to finish at 7:41 a.m.
Family Fun Festival 7:30 a.m–2 p.m.
Smale Riverfront Park
TriState Running Company 5K 9 a.m.
Mehring Way
Note: Expect male champion to finish at 9:15 a.m.
Note: Expect female champion to finish at 9:18 a.m.
P&G Health and Fitness Expo 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Packet pick-up for Sunday events – free and open to the public
Duke Energy Convention Center (Halls A-C)
Mascot Parade followed by Flying Piglet Kids’ Fun Run
Smale Riverfront Park 10 a.m.
Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile 11 a.m.
Freedom Way
PigAbilities 12 p.m.
Freedom Way
Flying Fur Race 1 p.m.
Mehring Way
Sunday, May 1
Opening Ceremonies 6:15 a.m.
Start Line, Elm Street at Freedom Way
Flying Pig Marathon, powered by P&G 6:30 a.m.
Paycor Half Marathon
City Dash 4-Person Relay
Note: Expect male half marathon champion to finish at 7:35 a.m.
Note: Expect female half marathon champion to finish at 7:50 a.m.
Note: Expect male marathon champion to finish at 8:55 a.m.
Note: Expect female marathon champion to finish at 9:10 a.m.
Michelob Ultra Victory Party 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Smale Riverfront Park
