The Pig Brings Home the Bacon
The 2025 Flying Pig Marathon continues to prove why it stands among the premier destination races in the country. A new Economic Impact Study released by the Center for Research and Data at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber reports that this year’s event generated an impressive $45.9 million in total economic impact throughout Greater Cincinnati. The study reinforces the long-held belief that the Flying Pig is not only a civic tradition but a regional economic engine that powers jobs, tourism, and local business growth.
Now in its twenty-seventh year, the Flying Pig Marathon weekend has evolved into one of Cincinnati’s most celebrated large-scale gatherings. The 2025 event welcomed more than 51,000 participants across its race roster. Nearly 17,000 runners traveled from outside the region, which placed significant attention on the hospitality and tourism sector. Hotels across downtown and Uptown saw sharp increases in occupancy. Restaurants and bars reported a surge in pre-race traffic from Friday through Sunday and local retail saw higher foot traffic from visiting runners looking for gear, merchandise, and memorabilia.
The Chamber analysis, supported by more than 3,000 Burke, Inc. participant surveys, revealed that nonlocal runners accounted for close to sixteen million dollars in direct spending. This included lodging, meals, transportation, entertainment, and shopping. Local participants contributed more than eight million dollars in spending that stayed within the community. This combination delivered a sizable infusion of dollars that supported six hundred seventy-one regional jobs and produced more than fifteen million dollars in wages for residents.
Race weekend continues to be viewed as a moment that strengthens the community as much as it supports the economy. Doug Olberding, President and CEO of Pig Works, noted that the event brings people together around health, achievement, and local identity while creating tangible financial benefits for Greater Cincinnati. He described the Pig as a celebration of spirit and connection that reaches far beyond the racecourse.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval pointed to the marathon’s ability to elevate Cincinnati’s national profile. He emphasized how city neighborhoods, small businesses, and the hospitality community play key roles in shaping the Flying Pig experience for runners and spectators. The mayor also highlighted how the marathon showcases the Queen City’s strengths which range from its scenic riverfront to its urban neighborhoods to its growing reputation as a top-tier host city for public events.
The Flying Pig Marathon has long earned national admiration. USA Today previously recognized it as the number one marathon in the United States through a nationwide voting process. Its success has created a ripple effect that expanded Pig Works into a year-round portfolio of events including the Queen Bee Half Marathon, the TQL Beer Series, and the FCC3. Pig Works also commits significant resources to youth and accessibility initiatives. PigAbilities continues to grow as an inclusive race experience for athletes of all abilities, and the Pig Works Community Scholars Program awards twenty-four scholarships of twenty thousand dollars each year to local students.
The recognition continued earlier this year when the Flying Pig Marathon was named a 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management. Only a handful of large-scale athletic events receive this honor annually. This acknowledgment placed Cincinnati alongside major national sports destinations while validating the marathon’s long-term influence on tourism, community health, and economic vitality. The Champions of Economic Impact feature is available to read on the Sports Destination Management website.
The complete 2025 Economic Impact of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Report is available upon request for those who want deeper insight into methodology, visitor profiles, and long-term economic trends.