Reggae Run 5K

This is the best 5k in Cincinnati! First of all, the entry fee is only $ 35. For that I got a dry fit t-​shirt, admission to the run, and four drink tickets which were good for beer or wine.
Sadly, this race came about because of a tragic loss. I encourage everyone to find the URL below and read the background story. This run is put together every year by volunteers to honor Maria Olberding. The run has generated over $ 1,000,000 which has been donated to local charities helping children. This is a great way of doing something to give back to the community and having fun at the same time.
The race had been at Ault park but was moved to Eden park this year. The course was flat at the start but got quite hilly near the finish line. Official times aren’t kept so no timing chips (Maybe if you pay extra but I forget…) but there was a clock at the finish line to guesstimate your time.
Parking downtown was easy as there are several lots near the start. They also have buses to shuttle you back to your car afterwards. A service that is free.
The after party is awesome. The Ark Band typically plays and while I’m not a huge reggae fan they put on a fun show and incorporate some original covers of popular songs that everyone knows.
The food at the after party is ridiculous. It is all free and there is a little bit of everything. Beverages there were white and red wine, beer, sodas, waters and even coffee and hot chocolate. There was breakfast food like bagels, pastries and fruit cups. There were pizza, burgers, brats and dogs, chili, jumbalaya, chicken wings, bbq sliders, mock turtle soup. There were desserts, too.
You definitely get your money’s worth, some free drinks, plenty of food and great music sprinkled in with the fun you are having with your friends and running mates. This is a great race for experienced runners, anyone preparing for their first 5k or someone who just wants to walk and gets some mild exercise. You won’t be disappointed. Check out pics of this event at

Wow all I can say is I have never had so much fun running a race. I have ran 5K’s to marathons even a triathlon but out of all of those this race was the best! If you are familiar with the Flying Pig course then you will know where the race takes place; on the dreaded climb to Mt. Adams/​Ault Park. The tun out for the race is great and all age groups were well represented. Why was so fun you ask — it was very laid back and not as intense as most races. If you still wanted a good time or a sub 20 you still can just make your way to the front. The fee for the race was $ 35 dollars but it included beer/​wine tickets, a race shirt and best of all ALL YOU CAN EAT food at the end of the race. They had a plethora of food vendors ranging from La Rosa’s, Queen City Sausage to Indian restaurants. My race buddy is vegetarian and she had no issues finding things she could eat. It rained at the beginning of the race and then poured for a bit but it only made it that much better. Everyone went up to the shelter to listen to the live reggae music. Getting back to the cars was not a hassle at all the race organizers had 4 buses running continuously shuttling racers back to their vehicles. Just a fyi if you were looking for a competitive race and racers this might not be your venue.

Yes, this is just about the toughest 5K course in the city, but it is also the best FREE afterparty! Four free beers or wines and all you can eat food! Can’t beat that.
This run was well-​managed and there was no line for registration on wrist banding. Maybe a couple more port-​a-​pottys– the line was pretty killer.
This course will challenge even the serious runners. They are moving to Eden Park next year and promised its going to be every bit as hard– A 1 mile hill right up at the end! Not sure this would be the one I would choose if it was my first 5K. Try one downtown first.
Go for the competition… and the party!

Fun race that is for a great cause. I recommend getting here really early so you can park close (helpful for getting any post race change of clothing like coats!).* As many warned me, it is a hilly and challenging course. You probably won’t PR, but you will have lots of fun and the post race party has more food than you can handle. There’s everything from corn on the cob, pork, chicken wings, Qdoba, fried pickles, Larosas, birthday cake, and even jambalaya. You and thousands of other runners will have a good time. An announcer mentioned that next year’s race will be in Eden Park instead of Ault Park, so who knows if this was the last year for this course.
*If you can’t arrive early, use the free shuttle.

Well, im kind of a newb to the whole racing circuit but from what Ive experienced and from others, this was… AWESOME. Sure I about died getting up those stinkin’ hills but it was a small price to pay for a great event.
I registered easily online, picked up my packet/​nice shirt (along with my parents’) a few days before the race at Bob Ronkers, parked in the shuttle lot and picked up my party bracelet a short time before the race started. I found by doing all of the above it made for a very smooth time. Post race the party/​food/​drinks were awesome. Yes there are lines and its quite crowded, but if you could hold patience for 5 minutes you should be good. The music was also fun and kept the party going until fairly late.
This is a more ‘fun’ run so there are no chips for timing and the course kind of gets confusing towards the finish line as there is no real signage… my pops turned off too soon and thought the party entrance was the finish line (at least that’s the story he is sticking to. I think he just wanted a beer).
Next year the race will be at Eden Park in Mt. Adams… I better start practicing now ;)

This was my first 5k. I picked it, because I had heard it is the most fun, and the best party.
The first tip I would give is, unless you are arriving super, super early and want to leave immediately do NOT park at Ault Park. It is a mess up there. The shuttle service is very well organized and they will definitely get you there on time. And don’t worry the buses are heated (that was important this year ;-))
I would also recommend picking up your packet before the day of the race. That way you can avoid the long lines on race day. Unfortunately you’ll still have to stand in a line to get your drinking bracelet, but that’s worth waiting for, right?
Speaking of waiting, that’s the big let-​down for me. Too many people. Everything required processing too many people. When the race started it took minutes before I could get up to speed, and I was constantly running in a crowd. When the race finished you then get to go to the way too many people at the food and drink tents. I would recommend training hard to be under the 40 minute mark. That way you can get to the eats before the big crowd comes in. I finished at 32:10 and my wife and I were able to try a few different food items before a huge crush of people arrived. Part of the problem is there just isn’t enough room for all those people. Why don’t they use more of the park for the food area? There were huge empty areas that could’ve been used for more space. I just don’t get.
The variety of food items is amazing. They had something for everyone. My pregnant wife particularly enjoyed the fried pickles (I know, what a cliché). And I enjoyed the desert tent.
It’s a great race, and you get a lot for your money. I just wish it wasn’t quite so popular.

This race is by far, without a doubt, 10 000% surely my favorite race I’ve ever done. I have compared all races since the first Reggae Run I participated in in 2009 to this race, and none have been able to even come close.
Sure, it’s «only» a 5k… but what a 5k it is! Firstly, the cause: You can read all of the details on the Reggae Run website, but basically this race is in memory of a runner who was slain in Mt. Lookout, and the proceeds benefit the Make A Wish Foundation and the non-​profit organization founded in memory of the slain runner.
The route is through Ault Park, which is one of the more awesomely gorgeous places to run in Cincinnati. The final stretch of it is a pure uphill Hell that is a challenge for pretty much everyone and anyone. What comes next is the icing on the already incredible cake: the after-​party.
Dozens of food and drink booths take up the entirety of a large plot in Ault Park. Your registration fee gets you entered into the race itself, a race shirt, and entrance into the feast to follow (including 4 beverage tickets for wine or beer!). The food selection is immense: La Rosa’s pizza, Goetta, grilled cheese, pasta, soup, chili, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, barbecue… you name it, it’s probably there. The wine and beer are a-​flowin’ while the live reggae band plays throughout the event. You dance and drink the night away after running 3.12 miles, concluding what is one of the best nights in Cincinnati.
Even if you’re not a runner, per se, check it out. You can pay to get entry to the after party only, so come one come all!

One of the most fun races I’ve ever done, from beginning to afterparty. A $ 35 registration fee gets you a good quality t-​shirt, participation in a 5k at Ault Park, and admission to the post-​race festivities. You get 4 beer/​wine tickets and unlimited access to 30 food and drink booths. They had a great reggae band playing that made for a fun atmosphere.
They clearly know what they’re doing after 17 years. All the pre-​race logistics went smoothly, with quick packet pickup and convenient shuttle buses to the park. The course itself is a beast. Never-​ending hills on top of hills. Good thing I love a challenging run. I felt like I earned my right to pig out at the afterparty. Burgers, BBQ wings, Gliers Goetta, Yagoot, Subway, corn on the cob, dessert, and so much more… it was a smörgåsbord.
Minus one star for not having mile markers or official chip timing. Even though that’s probably part of it truly being a ‘fun’ run, it’s just nice to know, y’know? Other than that, I’m definitely thinking this will be an annual event on my race calendar. Kudos to the organizers.