You'll start downtown on Mehring Way beside the Ohio River early on the first Sunday of May, then cross the Taylor-Southgate Bridge into Kentucky within the first few miles, passing through Newport and Covington before the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge brings you back. The climb out of downtown toward Eden Park and East Walnut Hills is the course's real test, part of roughly 950 feet of gain, so hold back early. From there the route rolls through Hyde Park and Mariemont and drops back toward the river for the finish, with spectators lining nearly every mile and pig-themed everything along the way. The 2026 marathon sold out at 6,202 and the weekend topped 45,000, so it feels big but friendly. Expect mild spring weather and a crowd that stays for the last finisher.
Starts and finishes downtown near the Ohio River, crosses into Newport and Covington, Kentucky, then climbs through Eden Park and East Walnut Hills before rolling through Hyde Park and Mariemont back to the riverfront.
2027 marathon registration details (opening date, prices) could not be found on the official site; past practice was to open the day after the race (2025 registration opened May 6, 2024) via Race Roster. The 2026 marathon reached 100% capacity at 6,202 registrants. A third-party listing says 2027 registration is open until April 28, 2027.
- First held in 1999; the 2026 race was the 28th annual Flying Pig. ↗
- 2026 drew 45,197 registrants over the three-day weekend, and the marathon sold out at 6,202. ↗
- Zach Kreft set the men's course record of 2:17:40 in 2026, 2:44 faster than Cecil Franke's 2006 mark. ↗
- The course crosses the Taylor-Southgate Bridge into Northern Kentucky and returns via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. ↗
- Find My Marathon lists 954 ft of gain and a 4.6% Boston-qualifier rate in 2026. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.