Flying Pig Marathon course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Miles 1 to 5: over the Ohio to Newport and Covington, and back

Over these 5 miles the course climbs 136 feet and drops 126, 7 feet net up. The two climbs: Onto the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge from mile 3.7 (+40 feet over 0.4 mi, 2.2%); Up into downtown from mile 4.5 (+50 feet over 0.8 mi, 1.2%).

The gun goes at 6:30, and the first mile takes you over the Taylor-Southgate Bridge into Kentucky. The loop through Newport and Covington is flat apart from its bridges, and the rise onto the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge back into Cincinnati near mile 4 is the first real climb. Run these miles a touch slower than goal. Most of the course’s climbing comes in the next four miles.

Miles 6 to 9: Fountain Square, Gilbert Avenue and Eden Park

Over these 4 miles the course climbs 341 feet and drops 56, 289 feet net up. The three climbs: Gilbert Avenue from mile 6.0 (+159 feet over 0.9 mi, 3.4%); Through Eden Park from mile 7.0 (+85 feet over 0.5 mi, 3.2%); Victory Parkway from mile 7.7 (+64 feet over 0.8 mi, 1.5%).

This is the Flying Pig’s climb: about 300 feet from mile 6 to the high point near mile 8.5, in three pieces. Gilbert Avenue is the steep one, about 160 feet at better than 3%, then the rollers through Eden Park past the Art Museum, then the gentler rise up Victory Parkway. Run it by effort and let the pace go. Nobody wins this race on Gilbert Avenue, but plenty lose it there.

Miles 10 to 12: O’Bryonville, Hyde Park Square and the Observatory

Over these 3 miles the course climbs 113 feet and drops 209, 86 feet net down. The climb: Erie Avenue to the Observatory from mile 11.0 (+79 feet over 0.9 mi, 1.7%).

Madison Road gives back about 160 feet on the way down to Hyde Park Square, where the crowds are big, and then Erie Avenue climbs about 80 feet to East Hyde Park by the Observatory. Use the descent to recover, not to bank time. The Erie Avenue climb is the last real work of the day.

Miles 13 to 15: down into Madisonville and out Bramble Avenue

Over these 3 miles the course climbs 97 feet and drops 227, 141 feet net down.

The longest downhill on the course drops off East Hyde Park into Madisonville, with a short out-and-back on Murray Road. With the hills behind you, this is where to settle into goal pace for good. Don’t let the descent pull you faster than that.

Miles 16 to 19: Mariemont, Fairfax and Columbia Parkway

Over these 4 miles the course climbs 34 feet and drops 106, 72 feet net down.

Mariemont is the loudest crowd since Hyde Park, and then Wooster Pike and Columbia Parkway drift gently back down toward the river. It’s easy running. Take your fuel here, and run the miles even rather than chasing the downhill.

Miles 20 to 22: Eastern Avenue past Lunken Airport

Over these 3 miles the course climbs 59 feet and drops 83, 23 feet net down.

Eastern Avenue runs flat along the river valley past Lunken Airport and through the East End, and the crowds thin out. This is where the early hills show up in your legs if you overspent on them. Keep the effort honest and count down the miles to the river.

Miles 23 to the finish: Riverside Drive to the Finish Swine

Over these 4.2 miles the course climbs 91 feet and drops 91, about level overall.

The last four miles are nearly flat along the Ohio on Kellogg Avenue, Riverside Drive and Pete Rose Way, with downtown in front of you the whole way. If you held back in the hills, this is where you get it back. Finish on Mehring Way, by the river where you started.