For 2026, the Flying Pig Marathon is getting one of its most meaningful course tweaks in years, driven by new bridge construction in Northern Kentucky. If you’ve run the Pig before, parts of this course will feel comfortingly familiar. Others will feel subtly, but importantly, different.
Why the Course Changed This Year
The 2026 course redesign is primarily due to the demolition of the Veterans Memorial (Fourth Street) Bridge and ongoing construction tied to the Brent Spence Corridor project. With that bridge unavailable until at least 2028, race organizers had to rework the early Northern Kentucky portion of the course while preserving certification and safety requirements.
The result is a course that goes slightly farther south, uses the 11th Street Bridge over the Licking River, and eliminates the long‑standing Queensgate section on the Cincinnati side.
The Start Line Shift: Small Change, Different Feel
The marathon start moves one block east—from Elm Street to Rosa Parks Street—while the finish remains at West Mehring Way.
From a runner perspective, this doesn’t change distance or elevation in a meaningful way, but it does subtly affect early‑race congestion. Expect:
- Slightly different crowd density in the first half‑mile
- A quicker funnel into rhythm compared to prior years with less time on 2nd street
- No noticeable change to the opening flat, slightly downhill profile
- Corrals further away from Paycor Stadium, typically used for shelter and restrooms before the race.
This is still a fast, adrenaline‑charged opening. The biggest mistake runners will make here remains the same: going out too hard before the bridges.
Northern Kentucky Detour: New Bridges, New Rhythm (Miles 1–6)
What’s New
Instead of crossing the now‑demolished Veterans Memorial Bridge, runners will:
- Cross into Kentucky via the Taylor Southgate Bridge (as before)
- Travel farther south through Newport
- Cross the 11th Street Bridge over the Licking River (also known as the “Girl Scout Bridge”
- Loop back through Covington on Greenup Street
- Re‑enter Cincinnati via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge
Runner Impact
This is the most significant change on the course, and it affects runners in a couple ways:
1. Bridge Load Is More Spread Out
Instead of two major bridge efforts stacked close together, the effort is now more distributed with over an extra mile in Kentucky. The Girl Scout Bridge is not much longer or higher than what you’ve handled before, but it is noticely steeper than the 4th street bridge.
2. Mental Freshness Through New Scenery
Seeing the 11th Street Bridge and the construction site of the future Fourth Street Bridge is new visual stimulus at a point where the race usually feels routine. The race is still fairly crowded at this point so prepare for the added, unfamiliar turns through the new neighborhoods. Greenup is a nice, historical addition to the race that will be appreciated by many.
Downtown Cincinnati Re‑Entry: Goodbye Queensgate
One of the most noticeable omissions in 2026 is Queensgate.
After crossing the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, runners will now turn onto Third Street, then Vine Street, then Seventh Street, passing Fountain Square just after mile 5 before climbing toward Eden Park.
Why This Matters
Queensgate was wide, industrial, and mentally flat—but also quiet and hilly. The new route:
- Adds crowd energy earlier
- Introduces new visual landmarks when runners are still fresh
- Tightens the course feel slightly (more urban, less open)
For runners who feed off spectators, this is a net positive. While you lose some of the long 7th street straightaway, the race still has a similar amount of downtown mileage. For those who prefer quiet miles early, expect more stimulation than before. One note – the turn onto Vine Street does feature a small, new hill as you climb up towards 7th street.
The Hills Haven’t Moved (Miles 6–16)
Here’s the important reassurance for returning runners:
From roughly mile 6 through mile 16, the course is essentially unchanged.
That means:
- The long climb toward Eden Park
- The familiar rollers through Madison Ave & Hyde Park
- The mental grind that defines the middle third of the Pig
Elevation gain remains front‑loaded, with the majority of climbing still happening before halfway. If you’ve trained for the Pig before, your hill prep remains the same through this section.
Mariemont Adjustment: Subtle but Notable
At the easternmost point of the course, runners will now:
- Turn off Murray Avenue
- Use Settle Road → Hawthorne Avenue → Southern Avenue
- Rejoin Wooster Pike without using the bike path
Runner Takeaway
This change removes a brief mental “reset” that the bike path provided. Instead, runners stay on road surfaces, taking a more direct route to the highway.
One notable omission with the course change is no longer having to summit Waterson Hill. This short, very steep hill was never a pleasant experience in the back half of the race.
The Final Miles: Comfortingly Familiar
From Columbia Parkway through Eastern Avenue and Kellogg Avenue, the course is unchanged.
This matters because:
- The Pig is still a net downhill finish with a few rolling hills to consider
- Experienced runners can execute familiar pacing strategies
- The final miles still reward patience earlier in the race
If you’ve practiced negative splits on this course before, nothing about the 2026 course changes that approach.
Big Picture: Is the 2026 Course Faster or Slower?
For most runners, the 2026 Flying Pig Marathon will feel:
- Slightly smoother early
- More engaging mentally
- Just as demanding physically
The hills are still there. The weather variables remain the same. The biggest difference is how the early miles ask you to spend energy.
The 11th street bridge is steeper than the 4th street was but that elevation change will be negated by getting rid of Queensgate and the hill on Waterson at mile 17.
Final Thoughts
The Flying Pig has always been a course that rewards patience and determination. The 2026 changes don’t alter that identity.
If you prepare for the hills, pace the bridges with intention, and soak in the early excitement, this course still offers everything the Pig is known for: challenge, community, and a memorable finish. Catch my course preview from previous years here.
