Olympic gold medalist praises Cincinnati running community at Queen Bee Half Marathon

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The annual Queen Bee Half Marathon kicked off its weekend festivities downtown with the “warm up” Queen Bee Bash, featuring a special appearance by Olympic champion Jenny Simpson.

Simpson, who won gold in the 1,500 meters at the 2011 World Championship, praised Cincinnati’s running community during the event.

“We’ve really enjoyed our experiences at the races here in Cincinnati, just because the community is much broader than just the people running the race,” Simpson said. “The fans really come out to support.”

The sold-out half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, starting outside Hard Rock Casino with the finish line set up at Sawyer Point Park.

Post-race festivities await runners

After crossing the finish line, runners can enjoy the Queen Bee After Party, which features live music, snacks, massages and more. Vendors will also be set up to sell running gear and event merchandise.

The weekend celebration focuses on honoring women and their athletic accomplishments, with events scheduled throughout the weekend.

More information about the Queen Bee Half Marathon and related events is available on the Flying Pig Marathon website.

Road closures

Numerous roads will be closed until the race ends around 1 p.m.

• Eggleston Avenue - closed between Reedy Street and Reading Road
• Court Street - closed between Eggleston Avenue and Reedy Street
• Reading Road - northbound closed between Eggleston Avenue and 12th Street
• E Pete Rose Way - closed between Mehring Way and Eggleston Avenue
• Central Parkway- eastbound closed between Sycamore Street and Eggleston Avenue
• Reading Road - northbound closed between Eggleston Avenue and Elsinore Place
• Liberty Street Exit from northbound I471- closed
• Elsinore Place- closed between Reading Road and Gilbert Avenue
• Gilbert Avenue - northbound closed between Broadway and Eden Park Drive (open to the Hard Rock Casino and I71 ramp)
• Gilbert Avenue - southbound closed between Eden Park Drive and Elsinore Place
• Eden Park Drive - closed between Gilbert Avenue and Victory Parkway
• Art Museum Drive - closed to through traffic between Paradrome Street and Eden Park Drive
• Martin Drive - closed between Parkside Place and Eden Park Drive
• Victory Parkway - closed between Eden Park Drive and McMillan Street (southbound Victory Parkway maintained between McMillan Street and Francis Lane)
• McMillan Street - closed between Victory Parkway and Grandview Avenue
• Woodburn Avenue - northbound closed between McMillan Street and Madison Road
• Madison Road - eastbound closed between Woodburn Avenue and Observatory Avenue
• Observatory Avenue - eastbound closed between Madison Road and Linwood Avenue
• Linwood Avenue - southbound closed between Observatory Avenue and Eastern Avenue
• Eastern Avenue - westbound closed between Heekin Avenue and Delta Avenue
• Delta Avenue - northbound closed between Kellogg Avenue and Eastern Avenue
• Riverside Drive - eastbound closed between Eggleston Avenue and Delta Avenue
• Eggleston Avenue - southbound closed between Central Parkway and Riverside Drive

Metro will still be in service, but there may be some delays.

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