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Best Places to Cheer for the Flying Pig Marathon

Given its scenic courses and the festive spirit of the “Pig Party,” the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend is a highly anticipated springtime event. As voted by the readers of USA Today, this event also holds the number 2 spot for the best marathons in the United States for 2025. While people travel from all over to participate in the marathon, many local residents enjoy participating and cheering in the many race opportunities and celebratory festivities. Whether you are just in the city for this weekend or live in one of many Cincinnati area locations, check out these ideas about where to cheer and otherwise enjoy the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend!

What is the Flying Pig Marathon?

The Flying Pig Marathon has been taking place in the Cincinnati area for over 25 years, typically during the first weekend in May. On average, more than 140,000 people are involved in this event as volunteers, participants and spectators, as per this event’s FAQ. In addition to the Flying Pig Marathon, this weekend includes many other events such as a half marathon, 10K and 5K races and a 4-person relay. There is even an option for virtual participation. Importantly, in addition to the many active opportunities to enjoy, this weekend also helps raise money for various charities. In fact, over $18 million has been raised since the Flying Pig events began. Whether you are looking for a challenge, community fun or ways to support others, this weekend offers many opportunities for all!

Where to Cheer for the Flying Pig Marathon

Cheering for participants in the Flying Pig Marathon and at the many other events of this weekend is part of the fun! This guide for spectators includes information about official Party Zones and other viewing locations, as well as recommendations for being the best supporter you can be. Additionally, the PigWorks Events mobile app is a great way to monitor participants in longer races, from the 5K to the full marathon. As you are planning for this exciting weekend, here are some of the viewing spots to consider for your observation of this event or active cheering of participants!

1. Choose your own cheering destination! With the help of the course maps like this one for the full marathon, plan the perfect destination to provide encouragement for someone you know or anyone and everyone participating in the event! If there is a particular individual that you are supporting, that person may even be able to tell you which mile is often challenging for them. Then, you can be the extra boost of positivity that they need to keep going!
2. Combine your celebration of the marathon with one of the many other awesome things to do along the race route. While some spectators may move from one spot to another in tracking a friend or family member, others may simply want to show up and support individuals for a small part of the race. In this case, people in need of refreshment after cheering may plan to stop by a nearby dining spot, such as the food court at Newport on the Levee, or visit one of the many attractions or activities in Cincinnati along the course, such as Ault Park or the Cincinnati Observatory.
3. Check out the sponsored spectator spots near you. For example, residents in the Saint Xavier Park apartment communities, such as the Sycamore Place Lofts and Encore Urban Living, might stroll down to the Party Zone on 7th Street and Elm Street. For marathon supporters in the Madisonville and Hyde Park neighborhoods, there is another Party Zone at Hyde Park Square. For apartment dwellers in the Centennial Station community, this celebratory spot is just 3 miles away.
4. See if your favorite coffee place, bar or restaurant has anything happening during the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend. Each year, many locations have viewing parties for this event, complete with specials and even additional entertainment, aside from the race itself. Find possibilities in the official spectator guide or just check in around that week to learn about any similar, if more impromptu, gatherings near your anticipated cheering destination!
5. Find a spot along the waterfront! Smale Riverfront Park is the location of both Saturday’s Family Fun Festival and Sunday’s Victory Party. It’s also located near where the start and finish lines are for some of the events. Consequently, it’s a great meeting point for both cheering and enjoying the other entertainment happening over the weekend.

Events like the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend in Cincinnati are one of the many reasons why this city is such a good place to live. Are you looking for a new apartment in or around Cincinnati? Our leasing experts can assist you in finding the right apartment for you! Contact our team today!