From Cincinnati to Wright-Patterson to Akron to Cleveland, and more.
Ohio doesn’t mess around with marathons.
You’ll find hills that sneak up on tired legs, flat stretches that tempt a PR, and weather that changes moods halfway through your run. One race takes you past military jets, another hands you a beer after 26.2 miles of pig-themed madness.
These marathons feel different from each other, and that’s the point. From lakefront views to gritty freeway climbs, here are four Ohio races that earn their finish lines.
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What are the Best Marathons in Ohio?
Flying Pig Marathon
Cincinnati, OH | May 3, 2026
Course Type: Hilly
Elevation Gain: 975 feet (297m)
Participants: 4,710 Finishers
Price: $199.68
This one doesn’t tiptoe in – it snorts, squeals, and throws a party on every block. The Flying Pig Marathon is Cincinnati’s hilly love letter to running, complete with pig ears, Elvis impersonators, and more snacks than a gas station aisle. The first 9 miles are a climb-fest through Newport, Covington, and Eden Park, but the views at the top? Worth every step.
It’s a race where aid stations double as block parties. Locals hand out everything from gummy bears to bacon and, yes, beer. There’s cheering pretty much the whole way, and the signs are top-tier ridiculous: “You’re bacon me crazy” shows up more than once.
Weather’s a wild card. Some years it’s cool and breezy, others it’s humid and hot by mile 10. Race organizers come prepared – hoses, cold towels, and more water than you think possible. Just pace smart, especially in the early miles when it’s crowded with half marathoners.
The swag game? Strong. Medals, shirts, posters, gym bags – and if you take on the 3-Way or 4-Way Challenge, even more goodies. It’s not minimal, and that’s the whole vibe.
Flying Pig isn’t the flattest marathon in Ohio, but it’s easily the most personality-packed. Loud, weird, and a total blast.
Air Force Marathon
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH | Sep 20, 2025
Course Type: Mostly Flat
Elevation Gain: 450 feet (137m)
Participants: 1,027 Finishers
Price: $85-$95
If the Flying Pig is a party, the Air Force Marathon is all precision and pride. Staged at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, this race is clean, organized, and quietly powerful. The course is mostly flat, looping through military grounds, past hangars, and under the shadow of aircraft – with occasional flyovers to remind you exactly where you are.
It starts with the national anthem and a cannon blast, then settles into a steady rhythm. The crowd energy is lower-key here, but the volunteers are top-notch and the water stations are dialed in. It’s not flashy, but it runs smooth.
Expect long, open stretches with little shade. September can bring warm sun and lingering humidity, so hydration and pacing matter. There’s a steady climb in the final miles – not steep, but noticeable if you went out too fast.
What makes this one stand out is the atmosphere: uniformed airmen handing you water, jets overhead, and a medal that’s more industrial than flashy. No frills, no chaos, just a solid, grounded race that honors the service behind it.
Quietly tough. Unmistakably respectful. A flat Ohio marathon with a mission stitched into every mile.
Akron Marathon
Akron, OH | Sep 27, 2025
Course Type: Rolling Hills
Elevation Gain: 1001 feet (305m)
Participants: 788 Finishers
Price: $155-$170
There’s a reason Akron paints a literal blue line through the city – it takes its marathon seriously. The course kicks off under the lights at 7 a.m. sharp, right in front of the Akron Art Museum, and sends you weaving through a mix of urban, residential, and parkland sections that somehow feel stitched together with purpose. You’ll hit all the local landmarks: Stan Hywet Hall around mile 9, Highland Square’s chaotic charm at 11, and the shaded Towpath Trail just before things start to hurt.
Elevation? It builds slowly, then smacks you with Heart Rate Hill around mile 22 – a climb that lives up to its name. Sand Run Parkway before that is more gradual but long enough to sap your legs if you haven’t trained for it. The finish at Lock 3 Park is new, replacing the former stadium ending, and brings more crowd energy and easier logistics for runners and spectators alike.
Akron leans hard into race-day precision: free downtown parking, tight course management, and smartly placed hydration stations. The course is USATF-certified and a Boston Qualifier, but it’s not a PR grab unless you’ve done some hill work. Still, there’s plenty of payoff – live music on the course, bubble machines in the neighborhoods, and a race team that sweats the details.
This isn’t a course that flatters under-prep. It’s a runner’s race, with the kind of pacing demands and local pride that make it stick with you longer than your finishing time.
Cleveland Marathon
Cleveland, OH | May 18, 2025
Course Type: Rolling Hills
Elevation Gain: 659 feet (200m)
Participants: 1,715 Finishers
Price: $90-$110
If you’re into city marathons with personality, the Cleveland Marathon doesn’t just show you the town – it parades you past nearly every landmark it can squeeze into 26.2 miles. You’ll run by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Browns stadium, Progressive Field, the Flats, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, all before breakfast. The course is USATF-certified and a Boston Qualifier, but don’t expect a breezy jog. There’s a reason past runners call mile 25 a “bridge-shaped wall” – you climb it once early on, then again when your legs are toast.
Cleveland’s weather in mid-May is a wildcard. It might be cool and breezy off Lake Erie, or it might surprise you with a hot front that turns the Shoreway stretch into a frying pan. Either way, expect rolling hills, especially through the western neighborhoods and again in the last brutal 5K. That part? It’s on an elevated highway with zero shade, so save something in the tank or prepare to mentally grind.
This race wins points for logistics. The start and finish are on St. Clair Ave and West Mall Drive, walking distance from most downtown hotels. The course has 14 water stations, each with University Hospitals aid. One downside? Some years have seen water shortages late in the game, so carry a backup if you’re a back-of-pack runner.
The crowd support is uneven but genuine. The first half has big energy with volunteers, bands, and fans packed into the downtown turns. The second half quiets down, but not entirely – Lakewood and Rocky River bring out cheering squads, and if you’re lucky, a bubble machine or two. Some roads are cracked, some hills unrelenting, but there’s charm in the chaos.
And yes, you get the full big-race perks: tech tee, medal, post-race fuel, and a free Fat Head’s beer at the 26.3 Mile After Party (if you’re 21 or older). Cleveland might not be the flashiest marathon, but it’s sturdy, scrappy, and full of surprise turns.
The Spectator Scene: Where to Plant Your Cheering Section
Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati)
One of the most spectator-friendly races around. The course loops through vibrant neighborhoods, so your cheer squad can see you multiple times without sprinting across town.
📍 Best spots: Mile 10 in Mariemont, the base of Eden Park hill, and anywhere downtown.
Cleveland Marathon
Downtown is ideal early on, especially near the stadiums and Public Square. After that, it gets trickier. Once the full and half split, the west side quiets down.
📍 Best spots: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (early miles), W. 25th in Ohio City, and the finish at Mall B.
Akron Marathon
A winding course through parks, neighborhoods, and city streets makes for varied scenery—but it’s harder to chase runners on foot.
📍 Best spots: Near Highland Square (great energy), Portage Path hill, and Lock 3 for the finish.
Air Force Marathon
The course runs on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, so access is limited for non-military spectators. That said, the finish line area is well-organized and full of action.
📍 Best spot: The Start/Finish zone—arrive early, bring signs, and cheer everyone home.
🧢 Pro tip: Bring snacks, a camp chair, and a loud voice. Bonus points for wearing a ridiculous costume they’ll spot from a mile away.
Beyond the Finish Line: Post-Race Fuel Worth Running For
Cleveland Marathon
You’ll finish near downtown with a free Fat Head’s Brewery beer in hand. Don’t stop there,Cleveland’s food scene delivers.
🍴 Try:
- Barrio for tacos
- Mabel’s BBQ for brisket and mac
- REBoL if you’re into clean eats
Flying Pig (Cincinnati)
Reward yourself the only way Cincy knows how: with chili over spaghetti or a pastry from Findlay Market. It’s weird and wonderful.
🍴 Try:
- Camp Washington Chili for a true local rite of passage
- Findlay Market for snacks and fresh-squeezed juice
- Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey if you’re going all in
Akron Marathon
Post-race carbs await in this underrated food town.
🍴 Try:
- Luigi’s for pizza and loud, greasy glory
- The Lockview for fancy grilled cheese
- Sweet Mary’s Bakery if you’re sprinting toward sugar
Air Force Marathon (Dayton)
More low-key, but there are some gems if you know where to look.
🍴 Try:
- Young’s Jersey Dairy for burgers, fries, and legendary milkshakes
- Warped Wing Brewery to swap race stories over a pint
- Canal Street Arcade & Deli for post-race sandwiches and pinball
🥇 Final tip: No matter where you race, make a dinner reservation if you can. You’ll want to sit down, take your medal off, and eat like you ran 26.2 miles, because you did.
Concluesion
Ohio’s marathon scene covers a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. You’ll run past stadiums, through quiet neighborhoods, across rivers, and sometimes uphill when you least want to. But if you train smart and show up ready, you’ll find races here that stick in your memory, not just your quads. Pick one. Pace yourself. And save some energy for the afterparty.
Row Brown is the founder of Refresh Row. He is a keen marathon runner, his favorite being the London Marathon. He’s now set himself the mission of Running the Entire Length of Spain, which is scheduled for late 2024.
