This weekend marks the 15th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. What began with a group of local runners (including Bob Roncker of Bob Roncker’s Running Spot), a dream and a marathon route scrawled on a bar napkin has transformed to a 30,000-some-odd person race and city-wide weekend event as well as a Boston Marathon qualifier (#BostonStrong).
Before the marathon itself, the Flying Pig festivities kick off on Friday with the P&G Health and Fitness Expo at the Duke Energy Convention Center (525 Elm St., Downtown). The Expo (noon-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday) serves as the pick-up location for race bibs, shirts, posters, etc., as well as a volunteer check-in. On Friday night (9 p.m.), there will be a 15th anniversary party celebration near the Christian Moerlein Lager House at The Banks with live music from Foxy Shazam.
Then on Saturday, carbo-load during the Flying Pig Pasta Pig Out.
On Sunday, the Marathon opening ceremony begins at 6:15 a.m. at the starting line on Mehring Way. The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Victory Party will be held near the finish line in Yeatman’s Cove. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., racers and fans will enjoy music by Snidley Whiplash, awards ceremonies, food and fun.
An estimated 150,000 spectators will be lining the streets downtown and in Northern Kentucky, and all streets south of Fourth Street downtown close at 6 a.m.
Also, this year the Pig is offering a Boston Strong technical T-shirt in their estore to benefit the victims of the Boston bombings. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to benefit the One Fund Boston.
Get event details at flyingpigmarathon.com.
