All You Need to Know - 2023 Queen Bee Weekend

Thank you for registering for the tenth annual Queen Bee Half Marathon Weekend! We are excited to host you for a fun weekend as we celebrate your accomplishments and raise money for our charity partners.   

We've compiled all the details you'll need to know as you get ready for the event next weekend, but first, please note these important details:        

The Half Marathon and 4 Miler start at different times. The Queen Bee Half Marathon, championed by Medpace, starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 4 Miler starts at 8:00 a.m.      

Stay connected by downloading the Pig Works Events app, driven by TQL! It’s the one app that includes all the important race information you need to know, as well as race tracking. Click here for more information on tracking or to download the app!   

SPECTATING? CLICK HERE   

Bee-U-Tique Expo and Packet Pick-up Instructions:    

Date:  Friday, October 13  

Time:  11am-7pm   

Location:   

Duke Energy Convention Center - 3rd Floor  

525 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202  

NEW THIS YEAR: The Expo will take place on the Third Floor of the convention center. Vendors + Packet/Premium Pick Up will be available 11:00 am-6:00 pm. Packet/Premium Pick Up Only will continue to be available 6:00-7:00 pm, but you will not have access to vendors.  

Expo parking options are available here.   

Please bring your photo ID to pick up your packet. Not able to make it and need someone to pick it up for you? Please complete this form. Race day packet pick-up will not be available.    

Don’t forget to pick up your premium items! After picking up your packet, proceed through the expo to the premium area to pick up your race swag.  

Half Marathon Premiums: Half Marathon participants will receive a long sleeve technical shirt, Aruna bag, Sweaty Band and a commemorative Queen Bee poster!   

4 Miler Premiums: 4 Miler participants will receive a long sleeve technical shirt and a commemorative Queen Bee poster! 

Snout & Stinger Challenge, presented by Givaudan: Snout & Stinger Challenge participants will receive a back bib with a tear off tag. Wear the bib on your back on race day and redeem the ticket for your Snout & Stinger medal in the Michelob Ultra Victory Party. The Snout & Stinger Challenge sold out on September 21st. Participants must have been registered before this date to qualify for the Snout & Stinger Challenge and receive a medal. 

Participants who register after the Wednesday, October 4 deadline will be considered “Late Registration” and are not guaranteed their selected shirt size. Late registrants will pick up their race bib and then need to visit the corral assignment booth to get the corral sticker for your expected finish time! Late registrants will pick up their participant shirt at the Late Registration table within the Premium Area of the expo. A shirt exchange table will also be available in the same area for those that wish to exchange their shirt for a different size. Shirt exchanges are available on a first come first served basis and limited sizes may be available.  

Race Day Instructions    

Date: Saturday, October 14th  

Queen Bee Half Marathon: 7:30am   

4 Miler: 8:00am   

Start lines for both races are at the Reading Rd./Pendleton St. intersection near the casino. If you arrive early for the 4 Miler, please stay on Court St., south of the casino, while the half marathon starts.   

DIRECTIONS & PARKING 

All road closures will be reflected in real-time using the Waze navigation app. Waze is similar to Google/Apple maps and is a free download. It’s great for getting around on race day for participants and spectators.  

Participants in the 4 Miler would be wise to arrive before the start of the Half Marathon at 7:30 a.m. to avoid additional road closures.    

We suggest parking closer to the finish line and the Michelob Ultra Victory Party at Sawyer Point. Surface lots on Eggleston Ave. will be closest to the finish line and are approximately .7 miles to the start if you walk north on Eggleston towards the casino. The Sawyer Point parking lot on the south side of Riverside Dr./E. Pete Rose Way will not be open for parking on race day.   

To view a full list of road closures and parking recommendations, click here. 

Gear/Baggage Check:  

Participants in both the Half Marathon and 4 Miler may check a bag near the start line of the race. Yellow school buses will be parked on Court St. just south of the casino the morning of the race beginning at 6 a.m.   

Place all of your items in the clear bag provided at the expo. A tear tag will be provided (detach from your runner bib number) as a means of identification. Attach the tear tag to your bag prior to drop off at the bus.  Please be sure to put your bag on the designated bus(es) for your race.   

Allow plenty of time to get to the Start Line to check any gear and position yourself in your assigned corral. Gear must be placed in the clear bag and checked in by 7:30am for the Half Marathon and 8:00am for the 4 Miler, or it will not be accepted.  

The baggage buses will be transported to Sawyer Point where you can retrieve your bag after the race.  Bags must be picked up by 10 am for the 4 Miler and 12 pm for the Half Marathon.   

Race (Bib) Number Requirements :  

Each participant will receive a Race (Bib) number that must be worn on race day. Please complete emergency information on the back of the bib. Your bib number must be visible, worn on the front and outside of all clothing during the entire race so that it may be clearly seen for runner identification and race photographers on the course. You must wear a bib to receive a medal at the finish line and you will only be given a medal for the race you are registered for.  

Bib numbers are non-transferable and MUST be worn by the runner to whom it is assigned. DO NOT alter your race number in any way.  

"Hive" Start Corrals:   

The assigned Hive for both the Half Marathon and 4 Miler will be indicated on each participant's race bib with both a color and a letter. Our Hives will be structured as follows:   

Please line up next to the feather banner with the color/letter that matches the one indicated on your bib. Please note that the Half Marathon will begin at 7:30am and the 4 Miler will begin at 8:00am. Men participating in either of the races, and any women wishing to run or walk with them, will start in the back (Hive F) for both races. 4 Miler participants, if you arrive early, please wait on Court St. or Eggleston Ave. while the Half Marathon starts to allow adequate space for that race to begin.   

Queen Bee Course     

Participant Rules:   

Please observe the official rules of the Queen Bee Half Marathon: Please NO pets, skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, or any other types of vehicles. Baby joggers and strollers are allowed only on the 4 Miler course and must start at the back. Participants may not run/walk more than two abreast on the course.   

Hydration Stations:   

Half Marathon: There will be Gatorade and water at 11 fluid stations on course with Gatorade always first. 

Click here for the half marathon course pdf.   

4 Miler: There will be Gatorade and water at 2 fluid stations on the 4 Miler course with Gatorade always first.   

Click here for the 4 miler course pdf. 

Participant Experience Zones:   

GU Energy chews and energy gel will be available just before mile 9 of the Half Marathon course.   

There will be a number of participant experience zones on the course that will be giving away items such as Twizzlers, jelly beans, oranges, and other fun items, thanks to our friends at Kroger.  

Portable Restrooms:   

Restrooms at the start line will be located on E. Court St. on the south side of the casino.   

There will be portable restrooms near every fluid station.   

Mile Markers/Digital Clocks:   

A mile marker sign will be placed at the end of each mile. Digital clocks will be placed at the halfway point of the Half Marathon and the finish line. Timing mats will be at the start and finish lines of both races as well as at mile 3 and the halfway point of the Half Marathon.  

Medical Support/Radio Communications:   

Medical Staff members will be ready to assist you at any time. Radio communications personnel will be positioned throughout the course. Volunteers at fluid stations are able to assist in finding a radio communicator at their station. There are four on-course medical locations that will have a tent staffed with medical personnel, courtesy of UC Health. 

The Medical Staff and Marathon officials have the right to withdraw any participant from the race that appears in distress or at risk. There will be a fully equipped Medical Facility at the Finish Line, staffed by a team of professionals until 1:00 p.m. If you have a health or medical problem at the Finish Line, you will be directed to the Medical Area. Please cooperate if you are asked to go for a checkup.    

If you are unable to finish the race for any reason, please notify a race official of your bib number so that medical personnel are aware.   

There will be flags at the on-course medical locations to indicate race conditions. Green flag means good conditions for racing. Yellow flag means moderate risk of heat injury, consider slowing your pace. Red flag means high risk of heat injury or serious environmental conditions such as lightning. Consider greatly reducing pace or discontinuing race. Black flag means the race has been canceled.    

Register for RaceSafe:    

The Queen Bee and RaceSafe have partnered to create a unique standard of care for our running community. As you have probably experienced, many things can happen to our bodies when out in the elements.  

We want to be sure our UC Health medical team can properly treat you if anything should happen while you're on the course. RaceSafe is secure, private, and takes less than 5 minutes.  

For your health and safety, please share your information by selecting the Sign Up link. The Queen Bee and RaceSafe respect your privacy and are committed to maintaining your confidentiality.  

Course Time Limit:    

For your safety and to be in compliance with course re-opening times, we must remind all participants of the four-hour course limit for the Half Marathon. The four-hour course limit is approximately 18 minutes per mile pace. Anyone that is unable to maintain that pace, on either the Half Marathon or 4 Miler course, may be asked to move to the sidewalk to finish the race.   

We appreciate your compliance with these time restrictions and look forward to seeing you at the finish line!   

Awards and Prizes:   

We will present awards for the top three females in the Half Marathon and 4 Miler. We will also have female age group awards for the top three in each age group. Overall awards will be determined by gun time and awarded at the finish line. Age group awards by determined by chip time and winners will be notified via email by Oct. 27 with details.   

Overall and age group awards will not be offered to male participants.   

Finish Line   

When you cross the finish line, all participants will be greeted by volunteers who will give you bottled water, compliments of Kroger, a mylar blanket and the coveted Queen Bee medal.   

Access to the Kroger Recovery Area is limited to participants only.   

All participants will find additional refreshments in the Kroger Recovery Area, including water, bananas, chips, applesauce and other fun surprises.  

All in-person finishers will also receive the clippable wallet finisher gift.  Don’t forget to pick one up after you cross the finish line in the recovery area!  

Green Team volunteers will be there to assist you with our recycling efforts.   

Participants should continue through the Kroger Recovery Area and proceed to Sawyer Point towards the Michelob Ultra Victory Party. Celebrate your accomplishment with food, fun, and live music! 

As you enter the Michelob Ultra Victory Party, stop by the Kroger booth to claim your complimentary crown and sunflower as well! Participants may redeem bib tickets for a free Skyline Chili Cheese Coney, and a beverage, thanks to our friends at Michelob Ultra. Drink tickets can be redeemed for a Michelob Ultra or NUTRL vodka seltzer. First Watch will also provide breakfast for all participants after the race, including pancakes and coffee. The Michelob Ultra Victory Party is open to the public and a great place to reunite with your family and friends.   

Good luck to all participants, and we'll see you as you make a Beeline for the Finish!