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Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 518 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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B. S. from Tennessee
(5/7/2024)
"Course support and entertainment are awesome" (about: 2024)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 30+ marathons and the flying pig ranks high. The weather conditions were tough, warmer than ideal 70+ degrees with 95% humidity and chance of thunderstorms was challenging. The race coordinators ensured amazing support with water/Gatorade every mile and medical tents. The community definitely shows up and provides the best support. Girl scouts handing out thin mints, chocolate, swedish fish, freezer pops and orange slices were great surprises along the way. A huge thank you to the bikers patrolling for safety, the first responders and the entertainers. Cincinnati knows how to host a marathon weekend. Nice having a finish that included a family friendly atmosphere with vendors and games. The intense elevation at the beginning is significant but you reap the benefits with the descent and flatter course as you close in on the finish | |
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Bob Kroeger from Montgomery, Ohio
(5/6/2024)
"Another marvelous marathon" (about: 2024)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Race director John Capella keeps making this race better and better each year! (Disclaimer: I am not related to John). About 20 years ago, the Pig was my first marathon and I ran it again this year, reaching number 96, giving me a pretty good perspective on marathons both here and abroad. Despite the heat and humidity and being old and slow, I finished the Pig and came to appreciate even more John's attention to detail. The expo, though crowded, went smoothly, thanks to superb organization. During the marathon, besides fans being almost everywhere, there seemed to be an aid station every time you turned a corner. I also thanked the many volunteers who offered ice cold towels, which were a godsend on this hot day. Thanks, John, for a marvelous job! One suggestion: make new mile markers, wooden and about 10 feet tall. Only saw a couple of them; maybe they blew over. | |
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T. C. from USA
(5/22/2023)
"top-rated everything" (about: 2023)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've ran PIG since 2008 & it gets better and better every year. Thank you for support of countless volunteers & the city of Cinti | |
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R. K. from Ohio
(5/3/2022)
"Race Director needs recognition!" (about: 2022)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Out of the 92 marathons I've done, I list the Pig as the most fun, although this year's was rugged because of the hot weather and strong winds, especially the 20-30mph headwinds in the final three miles. Weather is unpredictable, of course, and it could have been worse - the lines of t-storms skirted to the west and east of town just before the start. Another great feature of the Pig is its medal, the best of the bunch, including Boston's, which pales in comparison. Even the colossal Texas marathon medal (about three pounds at my last one) falls short of the Pig's, which is a delightful work of art. One thing I cannot understand is why the race director doesn't get recognition. I looked for his name or photo in the classy expo booklet, but nothing - only a few photos of the CEO. Though I'm not friends with or a relative of John Capella, the race director, I've heard from many runners that he does 99% of the work involved with this marathon and its other weekend races. For that great organization, I think he deserves recognition and I hope that the marathon board will give some to him next year. I also recommend that the Pig invest in some better mile markers, which won't collapse in strong winds as this year's did. I didn't see any from mile 15 to 19. They need to be tall, prominent, and heavy. I also suggest an aid station every mile in the final six-mile stretch, particularly important on a hot day. | |
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E. G. from KY,USA
(5/6/2019)
"A good race" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run more scenic and interesting courses, but this one is good as far as plenty of room, good footing (no major rough road like potholes, rr tracks, bricks, speed bumps), plenty of aid stations, lots of support-people offering oranges, bananas, cookies, Kleenex, sunscreen, excellent traffic control, plenty of parking, well controlled/not overcrowded start. I waited till the expo to sign up. Had no problems, didn't take any time, no lines for packet pickup, lots of info stations. I'm a back-of-the- pack-er and just went to have a good time. This is one of the few marathons that have a very generous cutoff time that allows you (me) to walk/jog and still finish before everything's been closed and shut down. I'll probably do it again. | |
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V. J. from Detroit, MI
(5/6/2019)
"Cincy does it right!" (about: 2019)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Flying Pig logistically was such an easy experience. The starting line was in a wide open, well managed area. (I mean they had 3 volunteers receiving rubbish for recycling at one station!) The course wasn't roped off so participants could get to the corrals pretty well. Plenty of aid stations, plenty of spectators throughout the course and Cincinnati is a wonderful town. They even provided an extremely well done APP for the event. I got a cooler bag, a poster and two t-shirts for being a first timer. Hats off to the organizers for this race. I only saw a few piggies throughout though! The course is hilly, but manageable. I wouldn't recommend it for a PR unless you're committed and ok with hills. This was my first marathon with a true training plan (Hansons) and I was able to PR with 11 minutes off of my past results so it certainly can be done. Cincinnati has an excellent marathon! | |
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S. L. from chicagoland
(5/28/2018)
"Dream Big and Fly High" (about: 2018)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Flying Pig is hands down a winner in my book. From Expo to finish line, this is a really great event. I loved how there are so many different events going on, a race for every ability. I've been waiting for the 20th anniversary race and finally the wait was over. Everything that other posts mention is true. The best volunteers and spectators are in Cincinnati. Love you all!!! We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Covington, KY. Best decision because it is a quick 5 min walk across the suspension bridge right to the start /finish line. The views of Cincinnati from Covington are breathtaking. The Marriott is next door to the Embassy Suites and would be another good alternative. We found it easy to walk to everything. We even walked over to Newport, KY about 1.2 miles away and there are a lot of nice restaurants all within a short walk. The swag was really great this year. The medal is very, very pretty. All in all, you must run the Pig!!!! | |
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C. T. from BC Canada
(5/10/2018)
"Fantastic and fun" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Did the Flying Pig as my 50th state. I picked the perfect race to end my quest. Organization is great, course is challenging with lots of rolling hills. Got pretty warm but couple spots with sprinklers and wet towels. Aid stations every mile with lots of different treats (oranges, candy, pretzels), tissue stations, even a sunscreen station! Entertainment and hundreds of spectators all along the route. Did the Chilli Challenge to get extra shirts and medals. All in it was a great experience, lots of fun would highly recommend it!! | |
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T. K. from Cincinnati. OH
(5/9/2018)
"A Marathon that Knows How to Treat Its Runners!" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It had been 4 years since I'd run my hometown marathon, the Pig; so I had forgotten and, dare I say, taken for granted how well the Pig treats its runners. I've run 67 marathons total and in the intervening 4 years since my last Pig, I've run approximately 25 of those marathons. Comparing those experiences to that of the Pig's this year reminded me of how special runners are treated at the Pig. Some examples: 1) The only big race where the Race Director has such an amazing omnipresence 2) The medal continues to be wonderful 3) Water stops every mile 4) Charities offering high calorie snacks (or Mimosas even) every mile at least 5) Use of real toilets at Paul Brown Stadium at the Start Line 6) Cincinnati rallies behind this race in the way Boston and NYC rally behind their marathons - maybe even more so. It is nearly a TOTAL community event! 7) The premiums and shirts are always of the top quality 8) Start and Finish Lines convenient to downtown hotels STILL, one of the most amazing marathon experiences a runner can enjoy! | |
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J. G. from Cincinnati, OH
(5/9/2018)
"My favorite marathon" (about: 2018)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I may be a little biased, but the Flying Pig is the best marathon experience out there. The crowds are the best this side of Boston. There are races Friday (1 mi) with beer and bands after, Saturday, (10K, 5K, pet race) and party zone, and Sunday (HM and marathon), with a great finish celebration in a downtown riverside park. The new finish area is awesome, creating an amphitheater effect, with spectators everywhere, above on the bridges and plaza overlooks, and lining the course. Don't let the hills deter you. This is a beautiful course, and can be run fast. I ran my PR this year. There are no elites here, so all the resources go toward the regular runners. Swag included a logo blanket, race shirt, finishers jacket, and best medal I've seen. If your an out of town-er the hotels are convenient to both start and finish and expo. Always come Thursday or Friday, as its really a whole weekend party. |
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