Your 2025 Queen Bee Weekend Guide
We've compiled everything you'll need to know as you get ready for the event this 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!
- Click here for results
- Click here for event photos
Bee-U-Tique Expo and Packet Pick-up Instructions
Date: Friday, October 10
Time: 11:30am-6:30pm
NEW LOCATION:
Crossroads Oakley - 3500 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Free parking is available in the surface lots surrounding Crossroads. Please enter the doors on the west side of Crossroads closest to Kroger (off of Marburg Avenue).
Bibs will be picked up by number and not last name. Please have your bib number ready to give to the volunteers. Look up your bib number by clicking 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. You will need to share your bib number with the person who is picking up your packet and premiums for you. Race day packet pick-up will not be available.
Need to transfer or switch distances? Please head to the registration solutions desk. Be prepared to pay for any transfer/switch fees with a credit card.
Race Day Instructions
Date: Saturday, October 11th
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 Hard Rock 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.
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 am.
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 7:30 am 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.
Queen City Running Pace Team
Looking to PR or for some company out on the course? Join the Queen City Running Pacers! They’ll be in each Hive holding a sign of their goal finish time. Have any questions? Visit their booth at the Expo or click here.
Queen Bee Course
Click here for Spectator Information – please share with your family and friends.
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 Endurance 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 Endurance 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, jellybeans, 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.
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!
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.
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. 25 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 Culligan, a mylar blanket and the coveted Queen Bee medal.
All participants will find additional refreshments in the Kroger Recovery Area, including water, bananas, and other fun surprises.
Access to the Kroger Recovery Area is limited to participants only.
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!
Michelob Ultra Victory Party
As you enter the Michelob Ultra Victory Party, stop by the Kroger booth to claim your complimentary crown and sunflower! 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 an ice-cold Michelob Ultra or Michelob Ultra Zero (non-alcoholic). Soft drinks will also be available for participants under the age of 21. 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.
Stretch Lab will be onsite at the post-race party to provide complimentary stretching to help you recover from your race!