Run, walk, cycle or even hike your way over to one of Cincinnati’s family fitness events. Why? Because it’s all for a good cause and it gets the family moving – together.
There are many reasons signing up for a 5K run/walk or 8-mile bike ride is beneficial — it gives you and your family an opportunity to spend quality time together, it promotes a healthy lifestyle for everyone, and it shows the little ones early on how doing something for others can be very rewarding. Plus, seeing your child sprint across the finish line after conquering a kids fun run is absolutely priceless. Introducing “fun” fitness to children can give them a running start toward a healthier life in the future.
Most events are for a good cause, so getting involved with your family can show the kids that staying fit is not only good for your mind and body, it helps others too.
Training for an event becomes more meaningful when it goes toward a good cause – whether it be for disease research, children’s programs, military support, individuals or school programs, it motivates everyone and builds lifelong friendships and relationships in the end. Check out these running events and learn how you can donate and get fit for cause.
Unable to participate in an event but want to help out in other ways? Most of these events are in need of volunteers to help out at the packet pickups, set up, or hand out beverages on the sidelines! You can be a virtual volunteer too! Keep your eyes open for volunteer opportunities while you scan through these events.
Whether you’re a walker, hiker, runner or biker, there is an event for you. Take a leap and enjoy that moment with your family as you all cross the finish line. Here are some energizing fitness events taking place this summer that will get your family moving.
May 4th and 5th- P&G Fitness Expo and Flying Pig Marathon, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, http://flyingpigmarathon.com/. A weekend full of events for everyone, the Flying Pig Marathon is bigger than ever as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary. Events go on all weekend including a Flying Fur Run (run with your dog) 5K run/walk, 10K, Piglet fun run for the wee ones, family run, relays, half and full marathon, a pasta pig out. Come out to the expo Friday and Saturday before the race to get sweet gear and learn about health and wellness. Benefits various charities such as CancerFree Kids and Autism Society Greater Cincinnati. Volunteer: Contact Jeanette Kiely, Volunteer Coordinator at 513-721-PIGS or Jeanette@flyingpigmarathon.com.
May 5 – Promise Walk for Preeclampsia 10 a.m. Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Woodlawn, OH 45215 http://promisewalk.org/locationpage.asp?Branchid=115. Bring your family out and walk for a cause! Benefits the Preeclampsia Foundation. Volunteer: http://promisewalk.org/volunteer.asp?BranchID=115.
May 6th – National Bike Month Group Ride, 1 p.m. Miami Whitewater Forest, Shaker Trace Trail, 9001 Mt. Hope Rd., Crosby Township, OH 45030 https://reservations.greatparks.org/Info.aspx?EventID=3202. What better way to celebrate National Bike Month than to Ride with your friends and family! This is a fun 7.8 mile ride around an easy trail. (Register by May 3). Volunteer: Visit https://www.greatparks.org/get-involved/volunteer.
May 19th – Bike & Hike 10 a.m. Winton Woods/Kingfisher Trail, 10245 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231. Two exhilarating activities in one! Strap on your helmet for a 3.5-mile bike ride then hike 1.1 miles on a gorgeous nature trail. Visit https://reservations.greatparks.org/Info.aspx?EventID=3202 to see more fun rides that Great Parks offers. Volunteer: Visit https://www.greatparks.org/get-involved/volunteer.
May 25 – Night Bike Ride 8 p.m. Miami Whitewater Forest, Shaker Trace Trail, 9001 Mt. Hope Rd., Crosby Township, OH 45030, https://reservations.greatparks.org/Info.aspx?EventID=3202. Experience the park’s “after hours” on a relaxing evening ride! Watch the sunset with your friends and family as you cruise around the trail. Why not take it for another whirl and loop around twice! Volunteer: Visit https://www.greatparks.org/get-involved/volunteer.
May 12 – CASA for Kids 5K Superhero Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Devou Park (Volpenhein Shelter) 1201 Park Dr, Covington, KY 41011, http://www.prokids.org/donate-invest/superhero/. Put your cape on and join in on the 5K, fitness walk and kids fun run. Don’t forget the after-party with free food, bouncy castles, face-painting and more family excitement. Benefits ProKids. Volunteer: Visit http://www.prokids.org/donate-invest/superhero/.
May 18th and 19th – OTR 5K 9 a.m. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. Cincinnati, OH 45202, http://otrchamber.com/pages/GeneralInfo. Now a two-day event! Kids fun run, waffles, bands, kids activities and more! Benefits: Volunteer: http://otrchamber.com/pages/Volunteer.
May 19 – Color Walk/Run 5K & Wellness Festival 9 a.m. Miami Meadows Park, 1546 State Route 131, Milford, OH 45150, http://hsof5k.ezregister.com/. It’s who finishes first, it’s about promoting a healthy lifestyle. Run or walk at the this family-friendly event with flying colors, and stick around for the festival post race to learn more about health and wellness. Benefits Healthsource Foundation. Volunteer: This event is in need of volunteers to throw colors, set up and hand out water! Contact Chelsie Hornsby at 513-707-4035 or chornsby@hsohio.org.
May 19 – A New Kind of Fix 5K Fun Run/Walk 8 p.m. Monroe Community Park, 412 Old St., Monroe, OH 45050, https://journeytorecovery.info/fundraising-events. Kids activities, music and more! Benefits Journey to Recovery. Volunteer: Visit https://journeytorecovery.info/contact-us.
May 19 – Woodland Lakes 5K Trail Run/Walk 10 a.m. Woodland Lakes Christian Camp, 3054 Lindale Mt. Holly Rd., Ameila, OH 45102, https://woodlandlakes.com/woodland-lakes-5k-trail-runwalk/. Enjoy nature and run or walk the trails! Benefits summer camp scholarships. Volunteer: Contact Andrew Johnson at andrew@woodlandlakes.com, or 513-797-5268.
May 19 – Armed Forces Day 5K Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Crescent Springs Community Park, 800 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, KY 41017, https://localraces.com/events/fort-mitchell-ky/armed-forces-day-5k-run-walk. Inactive or active military members can participate in the Military Cup Challenge! Benefits the Kenton County Veterans Memorial.
May 19 – Missy Tufts Hillian Family 5K Walk/Run – 9 a.m. Ross High School Track, Ross High School, 3601 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013, https://localraces.com/events/hamilton-oh/missy-tufts-hillian-family-5k-walk-run. A family-friendly 5K. Benefits charity of the family’s choice. In memory of Missy Tuft Hillian.
May 20 – Heart of a Warrior 5K 8 a.m. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, 4389 Spring Grove Ave. Cincinnati, OH US 45232, https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cincinnati/HeartofaWarrior5k. Benefits the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and Jordan Pieniazek’s family.
May 26 – Memorial Day Family 5K Fun Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Clippard Family YMCA, Colerain High School, 8920 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251. https://localraces.com/events/cincinnati-oh/clippard-ymca-family-5k-run-walk. Join in this family-fun run and cool off at the summer pool party, food and music! Benefits Clippard YMCA Annual Campaign.
May 26 – The Candy Race 5K Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Sawyer Point, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, https://www.thecandyrace.com. How sweet it to get a full bag of candy at the finish line! This race is for anyone who loves candy. Even the little ones can join in – the Jelly Tot Dash immediately follows the 5K – a run for the smaller jelly beans. The first heat is for 4 and under, the second is for 5-6 year olds. Parents are welcome to run with their little jelly’s. Benefits the Dragonfly Foundation. Volunteer: Visit https://dragonfly.org/ for more information.
June 2 – Beast of the East Mud Run 10 a.m. East Fork State Park 3294 Elklick Road, Tate Township, OH 45106, https://www.beastoftheeastfork.com. One of Cincinnati’s most adventurous 3.2-mile mud run and obstacle course. This course is for every kind of athlete and gives you the opportunity to go at your own pace and put your skills to the test. You will go along East Fork State Park and through the woods and hillsides. Concur this mud run solo or sign up as a group with your family. The little beasties in your life can participate in the Little Beast designed for ages 3-6 for free, as many times as they like. Food, raffle prizes, and music after your adventure! Benefits Southeast Cincinnati Young Life’s Scholarship fund. Volunteer: Contact beastoftheeastfork@gmail.com or 513-394-6590.
June 2 – 4K JDRF Walk, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive 8 a.m. Kings Island, OH 45034, walk.jdrf.org/kings island. Join over 5,000 participants and walk to cure Type II Diabetes. Have fun walking with your friends and family and join in on the games, contests, Touch a Truck, DJ and dancing, Cincy Photo Bus and more! Benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Volunteer: Visit http://www.jdrf.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
June 2 – Price Hill Pacer 5k/10K 8 a.m. Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45205, http://pricehillpacer.org/. Includes a 1K and kids fun run. Benefits Santa Maria Community Services and Price Hill Will. Volunteer: Sign up at pricehillpacer.org.
Sun. June 10 – Ride Cincinnati Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, https://www.ridecincinnati.org – Choose your miles – 8, 26, 45, 63 or 100 miles – and help defeat cancer at this two-day event. Bring your toddler along on the 8-mile course, or you can even be a virtual rider if you can’t make the event. Enjoy the opening ceremony with free food and beer, entertainment kids activities and more after the ride. Benefits cancer research at the University of Cincinnati’s Barrett Cancer Center. Volunteer: Visit https://www.ridecincinnati.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventId=512 for volunteer and virtual volunteer details.
June 7 – The Big Run Cincinnati 6:30 p.m. Fleet Feet Sports Blue Ash, 9525 Kenwood Road Cincinnati, OH 45242, http://fleetfeetcincy.com/racing/the-big-run. Coinciding with Global Running Day, this free community mid-week run/walk is for all levels, bringing together other Fleet Feet Sports runners from all over, so you will all be running at the same time! Participate in the 1-mile, 3-mile or 6-mile run/walk, and enjoy a post-run beverage. Benefits various charities such as the American Heart Association and CancerFree Kids. Volunteer: Sign up at http://fleetfeetcincy.com/race/volunteer.
June 10 – Run for the Children 5K 6 p.m. Lunken Airport Playfield, 4740 Playfield Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45226, https://localraces.com/events/cincinnati-oh/run-for-the-children-5k. Run or walk along Lunken Airport bike path and take in the scenic view of the Little Miami River. Benefits the Ida Spence Mission. Volunteer: Contact Celeste Doll at cdoll@kyumc.org.
June 16 – Twisted Twig Mountain Bike Race & Ride 7:30 a.m. Bonnybrook Farms, 3779 State Route 132, Clarksville, OH 45113, http://bonnybrookfarms.com/twisted-twig-mountain-bike-race/. A fun ride for the whole family. Whether you are an experienced mountain biker or just looking for an easy-breezy family cruise with the kids, this fun farm ride won’t let you down. Enjoy the farm activities and farm kitchen too!
June 23 Badin High School Festival 5K 9 a.m. Marcum Park, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton, OH 45011. https://badinhs.org/festival/run/. Grab a light breakfast and beverage post race! Benefits the Badin Cross Country team. Volunteer: Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/OH/Hamilton/BadinHighSchoolFestival5k.
June 29 – LEI 5K Run/Walk 8 p.m. Muhlhauser Barn, 8558 Beckett Road, West Chester, OH 45069, https://www.lei5k.com/. Includes a kids run and fun after party! Benefits Neurosurgery Fitzpatrick Chiari Foundation (NFCF). Volunteer: Visit https://www.lei5k.com/volunteering.
June 30 – The Super Run 5K Galactic Heroes 8 a.m. Sawyer Point, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, http://thesuperrun.com/locations/cincinnati-oh-superhero-5k-run/. Grab your cape, be a hero and fly over to the super run. This 5K run/walk travels all over the U.S., supporting local charities such as The Children’s Heart Foundation and Run for Autism. There will be tons of fun activities for everyone. Can’t be there physically? Be a virtual runner! Go to http://superflyrunning.com/virtual-events/ to learn more. Volunteer: Visit http://thesuperrun.com/volunteer/.
June 30: Hyde Park Blast 7:30 a.m. Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208, http://events.thecurestartsnow.org/hyde-park-blast-2018/. Run, walk or bike – no matter if you are a professional runner/biker or looking for some fun, there is literally something for all levels. The day consists of a kids fun run where the kids run around the square, a 4-mile run, cycling (the largest one day competitive road cycling event in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana), and chariot races. Don’t miss out on the block party and cheer on your favorite teams! Benefits: Cincinnati cancer charities. Volunteer: Contact hpb@thecurestartsnow.org.
June 30 – Donut Dash 5K Run and Walk, 9 a.m. Pioneer Park, Covington, KY 41017. https://localraces.com/events/fort-mitchell-ky/donut-dash-5k-run-and-walk. Run or walk and enjoy refreshments and donuts. Benefits youth summer camps.
July 4 – Edgewood/Tristate Running Independence Day 5K Run/Walk 7:30 a.m. President’s Park, 283 Dudley Rd., Fort Mitchell, KY 41017, https://localraces.com/events/fort-mitchell-ky/edgewood-tri-state-running-company-independence-day-5k-run-walk. Bring in the Fourth of July with a bang! Sign up for a family run/walk, kids fun run and a chance to win a pair of Saucony shoes! Volunteer: Contact Michelle Frisch at mfrisch@edgewoodky.gov.
July 4 – Pray Hope Believe 5K Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Colerain Township Municipal Complex, 4200 Springdale Road, 45251. Flag ceremony precedes the race at 8:15 a.m. https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cincinnati/PrayHopeBelieve5KRunWalk?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK. Includes a Superhero kids fun run, family activities, a memorial balloon release and more. Sign up as a virtual runner on their sign up page listed above. Benefits the Pray Hope Believe Foundation, in memory of Tony Merk. Volunteer: Visit http://prayhopebelieve.org/about/volunteer-opportunities/.
July 14 – Ice Cream 5K Cincinnati 8 a.m. Sawyer Point, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. www.icecream5k.com. 5K run/walk, kids fun run, baby and toddler crawl/walk and dancing, face painting and lots and lots of ice cream at the finish line! Ice cream is included with the registration fee. Benefits Cincinnati Children’s healthcare facilities. Volunteer: Visit https://icecreamrun5k.com/cities/cincinnati/ and receive free ice cream and a t-shirt for volunteering!
July 14 – HERO Club 5K Race/Walk 8 a.m. Pine Hill Lakes Park, 211 Kings Mills Rd, Mason, OH 45040, https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Mason/TheHEROClub5K. Raffles, pizza, music, performances and more after the race! Benefits: The Mayo Clinic for Persistent Postural-Perceptive Dizziness (PPPD) research and awareness.
July 28 – Queen City 5K 8 a.m. Paul Brown Stadium, 501 West Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, http://www.queencity5k.com. A fun run along a scenic route in Downtown Cincinnati. Benefits kids in the Greater Cincinnati area. Volunteer: Visit http://www.queencity5k.com/volunteer.html.
July 29 – Walk of Angels 5k Run/Walk 8 a.m. – 4389 Spring Grove Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223, www.wix.com/walkofangels/3, Benefits Driving Angels, and scholarship funds to competitive soccer players. In memory of Lauren Dietz, Miranda Phelps and Jessica Phillps. Volunteer: Visit http://walkofangels.wix.com/3#!walk-of-angels-2018.
August 4 – Race for Global Water 5K Run and Walk 9 a.m. Water Works Park, 5133 Groh Lane, Fairfield, OH 45014. Free kids fun run, awards ceremony and raffle post race! Benefits Water for People, providing clean water to people all over the world. Volunteer: Visit https://www.waterforpeople.org/get-involved/volunteer.
Aug 18 – Chick-fil-A Let’s Get Moovin 5K 8 a.m. Voice of America Park, 7850 VOA Park Dr West Chester, OH, 45069, https://hhmission.org/5k/. Moove your way over to this unique 5K event with your family! It consists of an unlimited “Lap the Lake” fun run, kids dash, kids activities, awards ceremony and Family FunZone. Dress up in your best Chick-Fil-A SPIRIT costume (cow-related of course) and get entered into the best costume contest! Benefits Hope House Mission. Volunteer: Visit https://hhmission.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
Aug 18 – Scott McDowell Memorial 5K River Run and Walk 9 a.m. Market Street School Building 212 Market Street, New Richmond, OH. Known for it’s flat, fast course, the 5K run/walk route takes you along the scenic Ohio River and down historic Front St. Post-race events include a kids fun run, awards ceremony, festival and breakfast. Benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cincinnati/Clermont County.
Aug. 31 – Dog Days of Summer 5K Run/Walk 1324 Crestwind Ct., Fairfield, OH US 45014, https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Fairfield/DogdaysofSummer2