RunRace USA › Ohio › Flying Pig Marathon › The course

One route, three synchronized views

The Flying Pig Marathon course

26.2 miles · about 1380 modeled feet of climb · roughly 483 to 823 ft elevation

Fly the course

The whole course, built from the best available published route trace and an extruded model of Cincinnati. Scrub it, change the camera, or let it play. Nothing here is a video: it is drawing the city live.

Route statusCurrent community course trace cross-checked against the published route. 2026 race GPX matching the new Rosa Parks St start; the official MapMyRun embed predates the 2026 start move

The route line uses the best published course trace available. Public-domain USGS and USDA aerial photography plus USGS 3DEP elevation are baked into RunRace USA, so the flyover makes no paid map API or third-party runtime requests. Buildings, roads, parks and water use OpenStreetMap, ODbL. This is photographic terrain with modeled architecture, not photogrammetry. Bridge approaches, elevations and facade details are approximations; the organizer's published route remains the reference.

Elevation, mile for mile

Marathon elevation26.2 miles · about 1380 ft of climb
440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 700 720 740 760 780 800 820 840 860 Mile 0.0 to 0.2: +1.0% Mile 0.2 to 0.4: +1.8% Mile 0.4 to 0.6: +0.9% Mile 0.6 to 0.8: +3.0% Mile 0.8 to 1.0: -5.1% Mile 1.0 to 1.2: -0.8% Mile 1.2 to 1.4: +0.2% Mile 1.4 to 1.6: +0.5% Mile 1.6 to 1.8: +0.1% Mile 1.8 to 2.0: -0.2% Mile 2.0 to 2.2: +0.7% Mile 2.2 to 2.4: +1.9% Mile 2.4 to 2.6: -1.4% Mile 2.6 to 2.8: +1.6% Mile 2.8 to 3.0: -1.4% Mile 3.0 to 3.2: +0.9% Mile 3.2 to 3.4: -0.3% Mile 3.4 to 3.6: -0.7% Mile 3.6 to 3.8: +0.0% Mile 3.8 to 4.0: +3.7% Mile 4.0 to 4.2: +1.2% Mile 4.2 to 4.4: +0.1% Mile 4.4 to 4.6: -5.3% Mile 4.6 to 4.8: +0.8% Mile 4.8 to 5.0: -0.3% Mile 5.0 to 5.2: +2.8% Mile 5.2 to 5.4: +0.6% Mile 5.4 to 5.6: -0.2% Mile 5.6 to 5.8: -0.4% Mile 5.8 to 6.0: -0.8% Mile 6.0 to 6.2: +1.3% Mile 6.2 to 6.4: +2.6% Mile 6.4 to 6.6: +2.7% Mile 6.6 to 6.8: +3.6% Mile 6.8 to 7.0: +1.2% Mile 7.0 to 7.2: +0.8% Mile 7.2 to 7.4: +4.2% Mile 7.4 to 7.6: +3.6% Mile 7.6 to 7.8: -3.3% Mile 7.8 to 8.0: +4.3% Mile 8.0 to 8.2: +0.4% Mile 8.2 to 8.4: +2.0% Mile 8.4 to 8.6: +1.3% Mile 8.6 to 8.8: -0.2% Mile 8.8 to 9.0: -1.0% Mile 9.0 to 9.2: +0.3% Mile 9.2 to 9.4: -2.6% Mile 9.4 to 9.6: +0.6% Mile 9.6 to 9.8: -2.7% Mile 9.8 to 10.0: +2.3% Mile 10.0 to 10.2: -2.5% Mile 10.2 to 10.4: +1.2% Mile 10.4 to 10.6: -2.9% Mile 10.6 to 10.8: -1.8% Mile 10.8 to 11.0: +0.7% Mile 11.0 to 11.2: -1.7% Mile 11.2 to 11.4: +0.2% Mile 11.4 to 11.6: +2.4% Mile 11.6 to 11.8: +1.4% Mile 11.8 to 12.0: +1.4% Mile 12.0 to 12.2: +0.9% Mile 12.2 to 12.4: -4.2% Mile 12.4 to 12.6: -1.6% Mile 12.6 to 12.8: -1.0% Mile 12.8 to 13.0: -1.1% Mile 13.0 to 13.2: -2.0% Mile 13.2 to 13.4: -3.2% Mile 13.4 to 13.6: -0.9% Mile 13.6 to 13.8: +1.0% Mile 13.8 to 14.0: +3.1% Mile 14.0 to 14.2: -2.2% Mile 14.2 to 14.4: -1.9% Mile 14.4 to 14.6: -0.0% Mile 14.6 to 14.8: +1.5% Mile 14.8 to 15.0: +0.1% Mile 15.0 to 15.2: +0.4% Mile 15.2 to 15.4: -0.1% Mile 15.4 to 15.6: +0.4% Mile 15.6 to 15.8: -0.1% Mile 15.8 to 16.0: -0.1% Mile 16.0 to 16.2: +0.3% Mile 16.2 to 16.4: -0.1% Mile 16.4 to 16.6: -0.0% Mile 16.6 to 16.8: -0.1% Mile 16.8 to 17.0: -1.1% Mile 17.0 to 17.2: +0.3% Mile 17.2 to 17.4: -0.1% Mile 17.4 to 17.6: -2.2% Mile 17.6 to 17.8: -0.6% Mile 17.8 to 18.0: -0.5% Mile 18.0 to 18.2: +1.5% Mile 18.2 to 18.4: -3.0% Mile 18.4 to 18.6: +0.8% Mile 18.6 to 18.8: +0.1% Mile 18.8 to 19.0: -1.3% Mile 19.0 to 19.2: +0.6% Mile 19.2 to 19.4: -0.4% Mile 19.4 to 19.6: +1.4% Mile 19.6 to 19.8: +0.8% Mile 19.8 to 20.0: +0.0% Mile 20.0 to 20.2: +0.2% Mile 20.2 to 20.4: -0.5% Mile 20.4 to 20.6: -1.2% Mile 20.6 to 20.8: -1.4% Mile 20.8 to 21.0: -0.2% Mile 21.0 to 21.2: -0.7% Mile 21.2 to 21.4: +0.1% Mile 21.4 to 21.6: +0.7% Mile 21.6 to 21.8: -0.1% Mile 21.8 to 22.0: -0.1% Mile 22.0 to 22.2: +1.0% Mile 22.2 to 22.4: -0.3% Mile 22.4 to 22.6: +0.0% Mile 22.6 to 22.8: -0.9% Mile 22.8 to 23.0: -0.1% Mile 23.0 to 23.2: -0.4% Mile 23.2 to 23.4: +1.2% Mile 23.4 to 23.6: +0.0% Mile 23.6 to 23.8: +0.1% Mile 23.8 to 24.0: +0.3% Mile 24.0 to 24.2: +1.3% Mile 24.2 to 24.4: -0.9% Mile 24.4 to 24.6: -1.4% Mile 24.6 to 24.8: -0.1% Mile 24.8 to 25.0: +0.3% Mile 25.0 to 25.2: +0.2% Mile 25.2 to 25.4: -1.9% Mile 25.4 to 25.6: +1.1% Mile 25.6 to 25.8: -1.6% Mile 25.8 to 26.0: -0.3% Mile 26.0 to 26.2: +0.1% 5 10 15 20 25 mile Gilbert Avenue climb +236 ft +115 ft +101 ft +82 ft +64 ft
steep up up flat down steep down

This Marathon profile covers 26.2 miles, ranges from roughly 483 to 823 feet, and contains about 1380 feet of modeled climb.

  • Gilbert Avenue climb, mile 5.94 to 7.55: 236 feet up, the steepest part of the roughly 300-foot rise from the river to Eden Park; gradient rarely gets above 6%.
  • , mile 7.72 to 8.67: 115 feet up, 2.3% average.
  • , mile 11.19 to 12.13: 101 feet up, 2.0% average.
  • , mile 3.9 to 5.32: 82 feet up, 1.1% average.
  • , mile 13.61 to 13.98: 64 feet up, 3.2% average.

Click anywhere on the profile to move the flyover to that point. Changing distance in the player changes the profile and plan map with it.

The course on a map

1 5 10 13 15 20 25 26
Marathon route26.2 miles
course featured climb start/finish

Gold is the selected modeled course; route provenance is stated beside the flyover.

The climbs that shape the day

Gilbert Avenue climb

Mile 5.94 to 7.55

236 feet of modeled rise · the steepest part of the roughly 300-foot rise from the river to Eden Park; gradient rarely gets above 6%.

Climb 2

Mile 7.72 to 8.67

115 feet of modeled rise · 2.3% average.

Climb 3

Mile 11.19 to 12.13

101 feet of modeled rise · 2.0% average.

Climb 4

Mile 3.9 to 5.32

82 feet of modeled rise · 1.1% average.

Climb 5

Mile 13.61 to 13.98

64 feet of modeled rise · 3.2% average.

Mile by mile

Every row uses the same modeled route and elevation surface as the player. Net change shows the shape of that mile; the common sparkline scale makes hard and easy sections comparable.

MileShapeModeled netWhat happens
1+7 ftGreat American Ball Park

Out along East Pete Rose Way past Great American Ball Park, then up onto the Taylor-Southgate Bridge and its truss ironwork. The road barely tilts, so the only thing setting your pace here is the pack around you.

2-4 ft

Kentucky side now, through Lowell Street and the numbered grid of West 3rd and West 5th. Level pavement and nothing to think about, which makes it the easiest mile on the course to run too hard.

3+20 ft

The course threads Greenup Street and Brighton with an arch bridge span partway through. The rise is slight, but it is the first time the road asks you for anything.

4+37 ftThe Ascent at Roebling's Bridge

Back east on 4th with The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge alongside. The mile gives elevation back before the first sustained pull begins near its end, so take the free speed while it is on offer.

5-37 ft

The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge carries you over the Ohio River and back into Cincinnati on a steel truss deck. It rises gently the whole way, finishing off a climb that started on the Kentucky side.

6+26 ft

Through downtown on East 7th and Vine, then onto the Gilbert Avenue Viaduct. This is the foot of the Gilbert Avenue climb, 236 feet of it running all the way to mile 7.55, so back off here rather than halfway up.

7+177 ft

Gilbert Avenue and the swing onto Eden Park Drive make this the hardest single mile of the Pig. Run the effort and not the pace: 182 feet of gain will take whatever it wants from your split.

8+62 ftEden Park Stand Pipe

Eden Park Drive past the Stand Pipe, then Lake Drive and Park Avenue. The climbing is not done, with another pitch at better than two percent running past the 8.5 mark before the road finally relents.

9+31 ft

Up Victory Parkway, then Woodburn and East McMillan. The grade is mild next to the last three miles, and it is the last of the sustained uphill before the course turns you loose.

10-38 ft

One long stretch of Madison Road and the first genuine descent of the day. Let it run, but keep your stride underneath you, because this is where the quads start paying for everything above.

11-90 ft

Madison Road into Erie Avenue, falling away harder than the mile before. It is free speed, and the whole trick is not spending all of it in one place.

12+52 ft

Erie Avenue tilts back up, roughly a hundred feet at two percent, topping out just past the 12 mile mark. Short and honest, and over well before you reach the half.

13-121 ft

Still on Erie, and this is the steepest drop anywhere on the course. It is fast if you let the hill carry you and punishing if you brake against it.

14-3 ft

Halfway arrives on Erie before the turn onto Bramble Avenue, and a sharp 64 foot kick at better than three percent hides inside the mile. The net comes out level, so judge this one by feel rather than by the split.

15-28 ft

Bramble to Settle Street and Murray Road, drifting gently down. The hard climbing is behind you and the course has stopped being scenic, which makes this a good mile to find a rhythm.

16+2 ft

Three quiet roads in a row: Murray, Madisonville and Thorndike. Flat ground and no features to mark progress, right about where a marathon starts to feel long.

17-10 ft

Back on Murray, with Hawthorne Avenue and Settle Road. Essentially level and unremarkable, so pick a shirt ahead of you and reel it in.

18-28 ft

Southern Avenue and Hawthorne feed toward Columbia Parkway and the road runs downhill again. Twenty is close enough now to be worth a plan.

19-28 ft

Columbia Parkway hands off to Eastern Avenue, still drifting down, barely. From here you are on the river side of the city and stay there.

20+23 ft

Eastern Avenue turns upward for the first time in a while. It is a small rise on paper, and at mile 20 nothing is small.

21-29 ft

The road tips back down for the length of Eastern Avenue. Five to go on pavement that will not surprise you again.

22-5 ft

Eastern meets Kellogg and Riverside Drive with the water on your right. Flat and straight: this mile tests concentration more than legs.

23-4 ft

Level pavement on Riverside Drive, open and exposed. Nothing steeper than a gentle bump is left between here and downtown.

24+22 ft

A modest rise on Riverside is the last upward tilt of the day. Grind through it and everything after is flat or falling.

25-19 ft

Riverside drops away again toward the city. If you kept anything in reserve, this is the mile you were saving it for.

26-19 ft

Riverside becomes East Mehring Way and East Pete Rose Way, downhill and back where you started. The finish comes up before the mile is out.

The city model is race-specific

Get your bearings with these local landmarks along the course. Their map positions and recorded dimensions guide the 3D models; small architectural details remain approximate.

Scripps Center

Near mile 0.2

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 143 meters.

Great American Tower at Queen City Square

Near mile 0.3

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 151 meters.

Great American Ball Park

Near mile 0.3

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 37 meters.

The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge

Near mile 3.4

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 89 meters.

Fourth and Vine Tower (Union Central / PNC Tower)

Near mile 5.2

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 151 meters.

Carew Tower

Near mile 5.2

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 175 meters.

Eden Park Stand Pipe

Near mile 7.6

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 52 meters.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church

Near mile 9.0

Built into the flyover as a race-specific local landmark. The model rises about 70 meters.

Published course records

Men2:17:40Zach Kreft, 2026
Women2:34:35Tatyana Pozdnyakova, 2002

Record information comes from the race dossier; verify the current record book with the organizer.

Route provenance

Current community course trace cross-checked against the published route. 2026 race GPX matching the new Rosa Parks St start; the official MapMyRun embed predates the 2026 start move

Course lines can change between editions. Confirm late adjustments on the official race site →

Know the line. Run the line.

Register for the 2027 Flying Pig Marathon →on Race Roster

Course geometry provenance is stated beside the player; elevation profiles always use the same route loaded there. City geometry is OpenStreetMap, ODbL. Aerial imagery is from USGS and USDA; other images carry their own source credits. Weather figures use Open-Meteo reanalysis for April 28-May 6 across 2016-2025 at the start line. Schedule, prices and expo hours were checked in August 2026 and are the fields most likely to move: confirm them on flyingpigmarathon.com before you book anything. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.