Great Runs in Cincinnati
Settled on the north side of the Ohio River, Cincinnati offers runners miles of riverfront running routes. Bridges from Downtown Cincinnati span the Ohio River across to Covington and Newport in Northern Kentucky. Downtown Cincinnati is marked by Fountain Square, at the heart of the Central Business District. Kroger, Macy’s, The E.W. Scripps Company, Fifth Third Bank and Proctor & Gamble are all headquartered downtown. Cincinnati is compact. This offers runners many iconic runs along the river and over the bridges all accessible without renting a car. Further afield, visitors can access larger parks with great views as well as explore the University of Cincinnati area. There is a reasonably good bus system in Cincinnati, but anything outside of downtown will generally require a car.
Summers are warm to hot and humid, with decent rainfall in each month. Winters are cold and can be snowy. On average, Cincinnati receives 22.1 inches of snowfall. Thunderstorms are common in the warmer months, and tornadoes, while infrequent, are not unknown. Make sure to be prepared for the weather.
The Iconic Routes
- Eden Park Loop
- Stadiums Loop
- Friendship Park Out and Back
- Bridge Loops
- Newport Waterfront
The Routes
Eden Park Loop
4.6 mile RT. Start: Fountain Square. Numerous options for longer route. MAP
Home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park is one of the most popular of the Cincinnati Parks. If you’re too sweaty, stop in the Art Museum and Conservatory. Landmarks within the park include Hinkle Magnolia Garden, which features a picturesque gazebo, memorial tree groves and paths, Mirror Lake and the Bettman Fountain. Our route starts at centrally located Fountain Square. Head North on Vine Street and turn right on Reading Road to the main entrance of Eden Park. After you enter, you will pass the Art Museum and Mirror Lake on your right.To lengthen your route, add a .25 mile loop around Mirror Lake or follow the paths to Twin Lakes, which adds another 0.5 miles or so.
Stadiums Loop
3.3 mile RT Start: Great American Ball Park. MAP
Cincinnati is home to two major sports teams.The Cincinnati Reds, the oldest franchise in Major League Baseball, play at the Great American Ball Park. The Paul Brown Stadium is home to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. The two relatively new stadiums are connected by a nice park/path along the waterfront, which makes for a nice ‘stadium loop’ with great river views. The route begins at the the Great American Ball Park located near the waterfront. Continue your tour around the ball park to Smale Riverfront Park. Run along the water past the Paul Brown Stadium until you take a sharp right onto W. Pete Rose Way. This road takes you back toward the Bengals Stadium which you can wind around back to the starting point.
Theodore M Berry International Friendship Park
4.3 miles Out and Back. Start: Fountain Square. MAP
A 20-acre park located on the riverfront serves as a lasting tribute to world unity and global understanding. Walkways guide visitors through gardens of the continents with scenic river views. This out and back is the longest route directly along the river. From downtown, head to Smale Riverfront Park. Enjoy pedestrian paths along the riverfront through Yeatmans Cove Park and Friendship Park. On your return, take a right directly before Yeatmans Cove and pass the Taft Art Museum on your way into downtown. To add some distance, do a loop around Eden Park, which adds ~1 miles.
Bridge Loops
Two options:
- 2 Bridge Loop: 3.8 mile RT Start: Fountain Square. MAP
- 4 Bridge Loop: 5.5 mile RT Start: Fountain Square. MAP
The bridges connecting Cincinnati to Newport are a quintessential part of the city and offer great views of the skyline. The Taylor-Southgate, Purple People, Suspension and CW Bailey Bridge are all runner friendly. Visit Newport, KY and get great views of the Cincinnati skyline with either Bridge Loop. Newport has an aquarium, several fun restaurants, bars, and movie theaters. It’s possible to put together routes of different distances incorporating these bridges and the the riverfront paths on the Cincinnati and Newport sides.
Newport Waterfront
3.8 miles one-way. Start: Newport Aquarium. MAP
The Newport waterfront offers a 3.8 miles of riverfront running, mostly on a dedicated pedestrian trail, with some occasional road connections. Follow it from just west of the Newport Aquarium, east to the intersection with Rt. 8. All or parts of this trail can be combined with the Cincinnati riverfront and the four main bridges connecting Cincinnati and Newport.
Further Afield
- Devou Park
- Lunken Airport/Otto Armleder Park
- Winton Woods
- University of Cincinnati
Devou Park
4.4 mile RT Start: Devou Park Parking Lot Quarry St, Covington, KY MAP
Devou Park is located in Covington, KY, across the river from Cincinnati and only 4 miles from downtown. It is the closest route to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. This hilltop park’s overlooks offer panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River valley below. Parking is available on Quarry Street. This route winds through the park passing the Behringer- Crawford Museum, Prisoner’s Lake and the scenic overlook — the view is pictured in our title photo.
Lunken Airport/Otto Armleder Park
Lunken Airport Bike Path MAP
The Lunken Airport Bike Path, 6 miles east of downtoan, is a 5-mile loop trail that circles Lunken’s airport. The paved path is wide and affords many nice views of the airport, for those plane-spotters, as well as the Little Miami River.
Otto Armleder Memorial Park MAP
Otto Armleder Memorial Park is located about 1 mile to the north of Lunken Airport. If you want to add additional mileage to your running route, check out the 2 mile loop in “The Otto”. On this path enjoy a peaceful park setting and views of the Little Miami River.
Winton Woods
Located 20 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati, offers a nice pine grove oasis. Winton Woods spans more than 2,500 acres and is located in Hamilton County. Take a long route around the Greenhills neighborhood (MAP) or enjoy the Harbor Loop Trail (1.7 mile route) around Winton Woods Lake (MAP).
University of Cincinnati
6.3 mile RT Start: Nippert Stadium MAP
Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati. This is a great route for those visiting the university area. The buildings are a mix of gothic architecture, stone and art-deco designs. The route wanders through campus, nearby Burnet Woods, and through the Cincinnati Zoo, as well as Botanical Gardens.
Stay
Cincinnati’s downtown area is focused near the Ohio River. Most of the hotels are in the central business district clustered around fountain square. Eden Park, Stadium, Friendship Park, and Bridge runs are all accessible from downtown hotels. A few hotels are located near University of Cincinnati. The University of Cincinnati route is accessible from all the hotels in the University area.
Stores and Group Runs
See this map for store locations. Green icons have group runs. Click on it for location, directions, details on group runs.
Stores
Bob Roncker’s Running Spot Multiple Locations: Newport, Glendale, O’Bryonville, Loveland.
Fleet Feet Sports Monday Night Pub Run, relaxing run followed by great drinks, socializing, and food
Tri-State Running Company Multiple Locations: Edgewood and Mariemont
Mojo Running West Chester, OH
Groups
Frontrunners of Cincinnati Meet three times a week for non-competitive social runs.
Running Club of Greater Cincinnati Located in Oakley Center and Blue Ash
Events
Cincinnati has running events seemingly all week long. There’s almost always something.
Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2
Some of the major events are:
Flying Pigs Marathon May. Also a half marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Hudepohl September. 14K or 7K Brewery Run kicks off Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Munich.
Hyde Park Blast. June. 4 Mile Run/Walk. Big event, race weekend, etc.
Heart Mini Half &15K March. Largest Road race in Cincinnati
W&S Thanksgiving Day 10 K Popular Thanksgiving Day race.
Queen Bee Half Marathon October. Also a 4 miler
