The Running of the Wieners will kick off Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on Friday, September 19 at the River Stage located in Yeatman's Cove Park.

Dogs, outfitted in their provided hot dog bun costumes, will run in heats of ten, approximately 75 feet to their owners waiting at the finish line. The winner of each heat will compete in a final race to determine the winning wiener dog! The first place winner will be proclaimed “Zinzinnati’s Fastest Wiener Dog” and receive a trophy. 

Invite your friends and family to watch the races, too! Admission to view the race is FREE. This event is rain or shine! Only 100 registrants will be accepted.

Purebred dachshunds are preferred, but mixed breeds of dachshunds are permitted to enter if they are of average length and weight of a dachshund. Please consult with us by sending a photo to our Events & Experiences Team prior to registering if you're unsure.

The registration fee of $75 includes entry for one dog, hot dog costume, and one t-shirt for owners. If you are registering multiple dogs, please make sure to submit registration and payment for each dog individually. 

Timeline for Friday, September 20:

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Participant Check In
• 12:00 PM - First Race 
• 1:30 PM - Award Ceremony 

Final details will be sent via email prior to race day. 

Waiver and Release

Please read this form and be aware that, to participate in this event, you assume the full risk and legal liability for all actions and damages, or impact from the actions of your dog and yourself. You waive and release all claims for injuries, damages, or loss you, your dog, or someone accompanying you might sustain as a result of participating in this event.

By confirming this waiver, you recognize and acknowledge that participating in this event entails risks of damage, loss or injury to animals, persons or property (including you, other persons, your dog and other dogs or animals) and you agree to assume the risk and responsibility for any injuries, damages, loss, liability, costs and expenses, that (a) you, or your dog, or any person accompanying you might sustain or incur at this event or (b) any other person or animal might sustain as a result of you or your dog’s actions at this event. By signing this form, you agree to waive (a) Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and (b) any employee/ vendor/ sponsor/ contractor volunteer from all damages, injury, loss, liability, or expenses you may now have or which may accrue to you and any other person claiming through you or on your behalf associated with this event.

By signing this form. You agree to indemnify the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and any employee/ vendor/ sponsor/ contractor volunteer from losses, claims, damages, liabilities, cause of actions, and expenses occurring from your participation in the event; including any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, cause of actions and expenses for personal injury to or death of any person or animal, or damages to property. Each dog handler must sign this Waiver and Release. If more than one person from your household brings your dog(s) to the event, each person must sign this Waiver and Release. Any person under the age of 18 requires the confirmation of a parent or guardian.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE INFORMATION, RISK AND WAIVER AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS.