Guide
Tips for Running and Racing in Cincinnati
Running in Cincinnati is easy to do year-round. Check out these tips to run strong all year long in Cincinnati.
Running in Cincinnati is easy to do year-round. The Cincinnati area has four distinct seasons, with warm and humid summers and cold winters with snow. It’s worth noting that the weather in Cincinnati can change quickly, so it’s smart to check the forecast before heading out.
Looking to run a race in Cincinnati? Cincinnati is home to many popular races in every season. Whether you’re training at home or here in town for one of Cincinnati’s many races, these are our tips to help you prepare for running and racing in Cincinnati any time of year.
Spring Running in Cincinnati
Cincinnati hosts a variety of spring festivals and other celebratory events. April is a busy month, with Cincinnati Reds opening day, Cincy On Tap Beer Festival, Cincy Seltzer Fest, Zoo Blooms at the Cincinnati Zoo and more. May ushers in the Buckeye BBQ Festival, Zoo Babies, the International Wine Festival and Taste of Cincinnati, among many others. The city will be busy with locals and tourists, alike.
Spring is a great time to explore Cincinnati on foot. If you don’t mind the strong chance of rain, spring running in Cincinnati is lovely because trees start budding and flowers start blooming. Daily temperatures can see some big swings, so lightweight layers are your best bet for hitting the road or trails prepared.
Spring Races in Cincinnati
The Bockfest 5K in March kicks off Bockfest, a celebration of Cincinnati's German roots and beer-brewing history. Bockfest (Goat Fest) celebrates Bock, a strong, dark beer brewed in the fall and enjoyed in spring. Locals love this race as a shake-out for the Heart Mini-Marathon.
The Heart Mini-Marathon 15K and half marathon is one of the oldest races in Cincinnati, dating all the way back to 1977. Athletes raise more than $3 million every year for the American Heart Association’s life-saving research. This local favorite is for a great cause, on a great course, and is a great opportunity for people to test themselves in March while training for Flying Pig.
Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon is an annual 26.2-mile race run the first Sunday of May. The name “Flying Pig” was inspired by Cincinnati’s history in the meat-packing industry. First held in 1999, the Flying Pig Marathon is frequently a first-time marathon for athletes looking to tackle the distance, and it’s one of the largest marathons in the United States outside of the World Majors. Fun fact: The course runs through two states: Ohio and Kentucky! This race even made it onto our list of must-do marathons.
If a trail relay is your idea of a good time, check out the Ragnar Trail Kentucky (formerly known as Kentuckiana). This May event is supported by Fleet Feet and explores the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, just 2.5 hours southwest of Cincinnati in Brandenburg, Kentucky.
Never done a Ragnar Relay before? Learn more about running Ragnar:
Summer Running in Cincinnati
WalletHub rated Cincinnati as Ohio’s top city for foodies in 2022, and even named it one of the top 25 in all of America. So, it stands to reason that the Queen City would host festivals all summer long for BBQ, tacos, bourbon, beer and more. We love hitting up a summer festival and enjoying tasty snacks after a run.
Because Cincinnati can get hot and humid in summer months, lightweight layers that will wick moisture and breathe are ideal for running. Don’t forget to hydrate! The city doesn’t have easy access to water fountains along the various trails and greenways, so bringing your own water is essential. Here are our top 6 accessories for summer running in Cincinnati.
Summer Races in Cincinnati
Included in Fleet Feet Cincinnati’s annual spring training program, the Hyde Park Blast is a four-mile run, walk and ride event in June that raises money for the fight against cancer. Since 2001, more than $600,000 has been donated to Cincinnati’s cancer charities.
If trail running is more your style, check out the Powder Keg Trail Run in nearby Kings Mills, Ohio, just a 35-minute drive northeast of Cincinnati. This race is part of the Dirt Days Trail Series supported by Fleet Feet Cincinnati. The course is approximately 3.5 miles and explores the fun and challenging trails of Carter Park, takes you near the Little Miami River, along the abandoned King Road and even runs past an old dam.
Need more race inspiration? Here are our top 5 summer running events in Cincinnati.
Fall Running in Cincinnati
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Cincinnati is a city with deep German roots and a love for brewing beer. It’s no surprise that a city so proud of its German heritage hosts Oktoberfest Cincinnati, the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Munich. The city and its surrounding neighborhoods also host fall festivals, Halloween events and plenty of pumpkin patches to explore after your run.
Cincinnati’s fall weather tends to be cool and comfortable, making it the perfect time to go for a run. Thanks to the variety of trees and plenty of moisture, Cincinnati is fortunate to enjoy a colorful fall season, with peak foliage colors typically around the end of October. Check out our top five trails to see fall foliage in Cincinnati.
Fall Races in Cincinnati
Also part of the Dirt Days Trail Series, the Glenwood Gardens Night Lights Run in September is a unique racing event. Run 3.2 miles through Glenwood Gardens at night on a course marked with colorful lights!
The Hudepohl 14K/7K Brewery Run (affectionately referred to by locals as the Hudy 14K/7K) kicks off Oktoberfest Cincinnati. The Hudepohl 14K, named after the iconic Cincinnati-brewed beer, and shorter 7K start and end along Cincinnati’s riverfront.
Ladies, this October race is for you. The Queen Bee Half Marathon is on a mission to promote the fun of fitness while raising support and funds for local charities that focus on women. Race weekend includes pampering, swag and fun, and many athletes treat it as a girls’ weekend. Not ready to run 13.1? This event also has a four-miler, and when you’re done you can cheer for half marathon racers as they cross the finish line.
The W&S Thanksgiving Day Race started in 1908, making Greater Cincinnati’s turkey day run the oldest race in the Midwest and sixth-oldest race in America, behind only the Boston Marathon and a handful of other nearly century-old events.
Looking for more fall races? Here are our top 5 fall running events in Cincinnati.
Winter Running in Cincinnati
There’s a ton to do in Cincinnati in winter despite the weather. Tour one of the city’s many museums or breweries, head outside to go tubing, or get in the holiday spirit touring holiday light displays around the city.
Recruit friends and create your own holiday light run through Cincinnati’s neighborhoods. Running Cincinnati in winter can be comfortable if you’re prepared with the right gear! Locals recommend wearing layers and being prepared with a windproof jacket and running gloves in winter months.
Winter Races in Cincinnati
Get festive at the Egg Nog Jog, a December 5K event in Mount Adams, one of Cincinnati’s “Seven Hills,” that tackles a challenging course with spectacular views of the city. This race features separate starts for walkers and runners, and awards for both categories. Make it a holiday tradition!
Hosted in January by the Runners’ Club of Cincinnati, the Winter Wonderland 5K is a run/walk that takes place on the paths and trails in Fernbank Park. It’s a great way to kick off the new year and keep motivation high.
Love is in the air at Fleet Feet Cincinnati’s Chasing Cupid 5K in February. This 5K fun run/walk starts at the Fleet Feet Loveland store and travels along the beautiful Little Miami Bike Trail. Proceeds benefit the American Heart Association's Heart Mini during Heart Month!
Local Resource for Cincinnati Running
When in doubt, ask a local. Stop by any Fleet Feet Cincinnati location for more information about where to run, running clubs and training programs, the area’s best races and all-things running in Cincinnati.
