Flying Pig event schedule, route, watch parties, parking and more

If you've ever used the saying "when pigs fly" to get out of something, then be prepared to eat your words.

The Flying Pig Marathon, one of the best marathons in the country, according to USA TODAY's 10Best Readers’ Choice awards, is this weekend. Starting May 1, thousands of runners, walkers, racers and spectators will take over downtown Cincinnati for the various Flying Pig-related events, from the main-draw marathon to the kiddo-forward Flying Piglet.

Ready to compete in the race or cheer on the brave Flying Pig participants? Here's everything you need to know.

When is the Flying Pig Marathon 2026?

The 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon and Paycor Half Marathon are Sunday, May 3. Both the marathon and half-marathon start at 6:30 a.m. on Rosa Parks Street and end at Mehring Way.

The CityDash 4-Person Relay will also begin at 6:30 a.m. on Rosa Parks Street, and the Michelob Ultra Victory Party will last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smale Riverfront Park.

How to register for the Flying Pig

While the 4-person relay and Skyline Chili 4-Way challenge are sold out, registration is still open for the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, Fifty West Mile, Flying Piglet, 26th mile, PigAbilities, Flying Fur and Skyline Chili 3-Way challenge.

You can register through the Flying Pig's website, www.flyingpigmarathon.com.

Flying Pig Marathon and Paycor Half Marathon 2026 course routes

Changes were made to the course because of the demolition and ongoing construction of the Fourth Street Bridge that connects Newport and Covington. The full courses can be viewed at the Flying Pig website.

The biggest changes to the marathon course are in the first 6 miles and at its eastern-most point in Mariemont.

The 2026 Flying Pig Marathon course, which begins at Rosa Parks Way, will take runners a little further south through Newport and Covington. Participants will view the site of the new Fourth Street Bridge while heading south on Lowell Street, crossing the Licking River via the 11th Street bridge, and turning onto Greenup Street in Covington before heading east on Fourth Street toward the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.

Coming off the bridge, runners and walkers will turn right on Third Street, then make a left to take Vine Street to Seventh Street, passing through Fountain Square just after the 5-mile mark.

From miles 6 to 16, the marathon follows the same course it has in past years.

Coming off of Murray Avenue in Mariemont, participants will make a left turn onto Settle Road, a right turn on Hawthorne Avenue and a left on Southern Avenue before arriving at Wooster Parkway. The final 9 miles of the marathon follow the same route as past years along Columbia Parkway, Eastern Avenue and Kellogg Avenue.

The half-marathon race, presented by Paycor, will follow the same route as the new marathon course until the two split at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Martin Luther King Junior Drive in East Walnut Hills.

The course will then divert from MLK Jr. Drive, taking runners along Victory Parkway, Alms Place, Myrtle Avenue, Park Avenue and William Howard Taft Road before going downhill on Gilbert Avenue.

The final change takes the route directly from Reading Road to Eggleston Avenue after passing Hard Rock Casino, where the course previously continued on Central Avenue before making a 180-degree turn and returning to Eggleston.

Flying Pig weekend schedule 2026

Here's the schedule of events centered around the Flying Pig.

Friday, May 1

• P&G Health & Fitness Expo: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the First Financial Center.
• 50 West Mile: 7 p.m. at the Transit Tunnel.

Saturday, May 2

• Toyota 10K: 7 a.m. at Mehring Way.
• Family Fun Festival: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Smale Riverfront Park.
• Queen City Running 5K: 9 a.m. at Mehring Way.
• First Watch Flying Piglet: 10 a.m. at Smale Riverfront Park.
• P&G Health & Fitness Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First Financial Center.
• Bounce Flying Fur: 11 a.m. at Mehring Way.
• Chiquita 26th Mile: Noon at Freedom Way.
• Goodwill PigAbilities: 1 p.m. at Freedom Way.

Sunday, May 3

• Flying Pig Marathon: 6:30 a.m. on Rosa Parks Street.
• Paycor Half Marathon: 6:30 a.m. on Rosa Parks Street.
• CityDash 4-Person Relay: 6:30 a.m. on Rosa Parks Street.
• Michelob Ultra Victory Party: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smale Riverfront Park.

Flying Pig watch parties 2026

Looking for a Flying Pig watch party? The following restaurants are offering viewing opportunities with specials and entertainment.

• Cincinnati Lager House: Opens at 6 a.m. for a breakfast buffet. Brunch service will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call or visit moerleinlagerhouse.com to make a reservation. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown.
• Fulton Yards Coffeehouse & Spirits: Visit Fulton Yards for a special Flying Pig Latte and live music. 3301 Riverside Drive, East End.
• Streetside Brewery: Located near mile 21.5, Streetside Brewery will open early with live music and food trucks. 4003 Eastern Ave., East End.
• E+O Kitchen: Flying Pig spectators and participants will also receive a 20% discount. 56 W. Freedom Way, The Banks.
• Graeter'sat Fountain Square: Graeter's will open early serving fresh coffee and pastries. 511 Walnut St., Downtown Cincinnati.

The Flying Pig website also has a list of party zones offering complimentary snacks and refreshments for spectators.

Parking for the Flying Pig

Roads around downtown Cincinnati will close the weekend of the Flying Pig, so be sure to take those into account when looking for parking. It will be busy, and traffic will likely be heavy on Sunday morning of the race, so give yourself ample time to travel, find parking, use baggage buses and restrooms, and find your corral (if you're running).

Here are some parking lots and prices if you decide to park near the race:

• Lot A, 226 Central Ave.: Motorists must pay through Metropolis App on Friday. Otherwise, the lot is $5 if you arrive between 5-10 a.m. on Saturday and 4-7 a.m. on Sunday.
• Central Riverfront Garage, 99 E. Second St. (Entrances on Race Street, West Pete Rose Way and Main Street/Joe Nuxhall Way): Operating at normal daily rates on Friday. Otherwise, $5 if you arrive between 5-10 a.m. Saturday and 4-9 a.m. Sunday. Please have a credit card ready and available to use upon entry. The Race Street entrance will close at 6 a.m. Sunday due to event road closures.
• Parking lots on Eggleston Avenue (1.5 miles from the start line) near relay shuttle buses.

To reserve a parking spot, visit spothero.com. Some street parking will also be available around downtown Cincinnati and in Northern Kentucky in Covington and Newport.

Flying Pig packet pickup location

Packet pickup for the in-person event will be held at the P&G Health & Fitness Expo inside the First Financial Center, formerly known as the Duke Energy Convention Center.

There is NO race-day pick up on Sunday for the half-marathon and marathon.

The packet pickup schedule at the First Financial Center, located at 525 Elm Street in downtown Cincinnati, is as follows:

• Friday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Packets will be picked up by bib number, not last name, per the event's website. Bib numbers will be emailed to participants.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Flying Pig Marathon 2026 schedule, route, parking, parties and more