Flying Pig Marathon weekend turned historic as record crowds and record times highlighted the 2026 races across Cincinnati. A 20-year course record fell Sunday when Zach Kreft of Sunbury won the men’s marathon in 2:17:40—nearly three minutes faster than the previous mark set in 2006. Kreft said he aimed for a steady start before pushing late, crediting the crowd energy for helping carry him to the finish. The women’s title went to Katie Hallahan of Cincinnati, who crossed in 2:48:43. A former runner-up in the race, Hallahan called the local running community “special,” pointing to strong support throughout the course’s  neighborhoods. The event also drew its largest field ever, with more than 45,000 participants across the weekend—surpassing the previous record set in 2018. Other top finishers in the marathon included Emerson Wells of Cincinnati and Garang Madut of Dayton in the men’s division, while Daniella Townsend and Morgan Gaskins rounded out the women’s top three. In the Paycor Half Marathon, Simon Heys of Wilmington won the men’s race, while Amanda Zerhusen of Cincinnati claimed the women’s title. Weekend events also included the Toyota 10K, Queen City Running 5K, and Fifty West Mile, all of which reached full capacity—another sign of the event’s continued growth and popularity. Organizers say the combination of elite performances, community participation, and strong local support made 2026 one of the most memorable Flying Pig weekends in the race’s history.

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(Photo Credit: Flying Pig Marathon)