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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 231 to 241]
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M. M. from Washington DC
(5/15/2007)
"great race for a first-timer" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I was very careful to choose the marathon experience I wanted, mostly based on the reviews on this site. I chose Flying Pig because I wanted to be treated like a winner, even when I was finishing toward the back. Thats exactly what I got. Organization and spectators are the highlights of this race. If you're looking for a marathon that is well put together, is friendly to first timers and to slower runners and walkers, and you like to be cheered on, this is the race for you. There were very few places throughout the race where there were no spectators, the water stops were wonderful, and they have TOILETS GALORE. You don't need your Depends for this race- there are a handful of portajohns at least every mile. The course is hilly, yes. This probably isn't a Boston qualifying course, unless you train for the hills. But it is easy to prepare for that- the course website offers a drive-through video of the course, and you can sign up for emails that give you all the info you need. There were a few things that I would call cons: the shirt this year was TERRIBLE- it was a short sleeved performance shirt, and the design was kind of ugly, but the worst part was that it was just too darn small. Even the volunteers were saying it was small, one person suggested that perhaps they ordered youth sizes by mistake. I mean, I normally wear a women's medium sized shirt- here I had to trade in for an XL and it's still so small I'll never wear it. Last year's shirts were much better. My only other complaint would be that the finish line 'party' does leave something to be desired. I finished in under 6 hours, and some people were still coming in almost 2 hours after me. The volunteers stuck around, which is great, but they should really get more food and better food. I've been to 5Ks with a better spread. Cheap soda, bagels, a banana or orange, chips, and thats it. Anything else you had to buy. The venders that were there weren't offering anything interesting, so there isn't much to look at there. I left as soon as the race was over. My advice would be to come to the events on Saturday and enjoy the party then- my children enjoy the kids races, and watching the finish for the 10K and 5K is a lot more exciting than trying to find something to do after the marathon. And if you want good food for after, have a friend who was a spectator bring it for you. Also, while there were more than enough porta-johns on the course, they could use more at the start. I borrowed tissues from someone and peed behind a big pile of construction dirt, along with a lot of other people. Of course, peeing outside in public is sort of a running rite of passage. Overall, I would highly recommend this race to anyone who's looking to just have a good time running a marathon. It may be kind of hilly, but the volunteer support and the spectators make this a marathon you must try. | |
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A. M. from Long Island, New York
(5/13/2007)
"GREAT FIRST HALF-MARATHON" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon. All I can say was: it was wonderful. Many thanks to all the volunteers and entertainment spots - they made the race, as did the wonderful spectators!!! I will be back next year. Loved the course, especially the downhill finish!!! Great marathon for both the experienced and the unexperienced!! | |
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B. W. from Louisville, KY
(5/13/2007)
"Organization and attitude will keep you smiling" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my ninth marathon and my favorite. The expo is well done and moves quickly. You receive a tech shirt and the bag is the best gift I've gotten yet. The finish line could use some work with a corral system to ease congestion for the first mile or so. I hate bridges and this one has three in the first four miles, but they do warm you up for the long climb to the top of Eden Park. The neighborhoods after mile 7 are scenic and an interesting mix of high end and working class areas with some reflecting an old world look and the city's river town heritage. Spectators are frequent and very encouraging. Water stops are every mile after mile six, and are well organized with correctly mixed Gatorade and water separated for an easy choice as you run through. The traffic control is first rate and the course is a good mix of up and down inclines, with only a few after mile 8 that will really work the quads. Spectators and the organizers have a great sense of humor throughout the race, with pig noses on many, flying pig mascots at the finish line (Labeled 'finish swine' and chanting 'you aren't done until you've highfived the pig') and even a group around mile 15 who had set up on the street, couches and beer in an improvished 'runners lounge'. A lot of other marathons big and small (are you listening San Francisco?) could learn from Cincinnati. Make a date to cross the finish 'swine'. | |
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D. P. from Milwaukee, WI
(5/13/2007)
"Great Spectator Support" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I hung out by the bathrooms in Paul Brown Stadium until I heard the national anthem (tip: there's a family bathroom most people ignore for quick access). No hurry to get to the start line, because with 12,000 marathoners and 1/2 marathoners at the same start, it takes a while to get moving anyhow. It was wild seeing the frontrunners going across the bridge while traveling down the first road. On that bridge you can see folks running across the bridge in KY. After the steepest hill you are rewarded with the most scenic view. Where relayers veer to the left for their exchange, I focused on the right at the beautiful water fountain in the pond, followed by a nice overlook of the city and river. Lots of other good crowd-support sections of town (along with some wild outfits, both from the crowd and runners), but I prefer scenery to people telling me, "Good job." I didn't care for the long stretch of road that fortunately was broken up a bit by the Clif Shots station - I'd rather be kept guessing what's ahead like on trails. Good finish area, though it was quite a walk to the massage tents. Everyone I met from Cincinnati was very friendly. One runner from town whom I met while waiting for my massage even called my home to make sure I got back safely (I drove back to Milwaukee after the race). Ps. For sightseeing with your family, their museum in Westtown is pretty good, or also the aquarium across the river in Newport, KY. | |
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C. K. from Lakewood, Ohio
(5/12/2007)
"The support from the spectators was a big factor" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved all the support from fans and spectators along the entire route. Although it was tempting, I had to pass up the beer and brats because I didn't want to get sick. Perfect temp. for running. I would do this race again in a heart beat. | |
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j. c. from NEWPORT KY. 41071
(5/12/2007)
"ALWAYS IMPROVING" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The day was perfect. The volunteers were awesome. I hope they realize we cannot run these races without them. Thank you. I will be back for the 10th Flying Pig. | |
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D. S. from Rockville, Maryland
(5/11/2007)
"Just Perfect!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Cincinnati, congratulations! I was amazed because: - Spectators were everywhere: from mile 0 up to mile 26.2. This is unique (except, of course, in super-size marathons like NYC, Chicago...). - Race organization was awesome: Mile markers in correct place, digital clocks in most places, and plenty of portable WC's. - Plenty of food at the end. They even give you a bag to store more food, if you wish. In fact I still have chips and snacks from the race day!!! However, I wish they would have also some beer at the end... - Organizers were so friendly. At the finish line the race director was congratulating every single runner. I liked that. In summary, Cincy did a good job. I drove 8 hours from Maryland to be there and it was worth it! | |
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L. M. from Sammamish, WA
(5/11/2007)
"You GOTTA do the PIG" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 One of my favorites.... You won't find a better deal for your registration fee we received a Flying Pig poster, a tech fabric shirt and a VERY cool backpack. I must point out that this is the first race I've entered where they actually had fitted shirts for the women participants. The weather was perfect, the spectators were awesome, the bands were spirited and the course was great. There were a fair amount of hills but none that I would consider 'bad.' They were more or less sorta-long-gradually-sloping hills rather than steep inclines. This was a record year for participants in The Pig and I seriously think they'll need to come up with a better way of managing everyone for next year. I couldn't run pace for the first 8-9 miles due to over-crowding and heard A LOT of other people complaining about the same issue. | |
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S. M. from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/10/2007)
"My first marathon-A great experience overall!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2007 Flying Pig was my first marathon. I must say that the whole weekend experience for myself and my family was wonderful. The variety of activities for the weekend allowed our entire family to be involved. We really enjoyed our time in Cincinnati. Being a first-timer, I can only speak from a beginners point-of-view. To me, the course was very challenging but also, very fulfilling to complete! The hills are not only at the beginning but really the entire course has hills, rolling terrain, etc. I can show it to you on my GPS! I agree with the others that this is a 'must run.' Not just for the marathon but for the fun your entire family can have with the kid's runs, the 5K, 10K, etc. Expo was great, etc. I agree with all of the other positive comments. After this, my first, I've signed up for my second (Marine Corps Marathon in Oct.) and our family is already talking about returning for 'The Pig' in 2008. I highly recommend this as a wonderful experience for you, the marathoner, and the rest of your family. | |
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R. B. from Vitginia Beach, VA
(5/10/2007)
"A must Do Marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Flying Pig. The course had its share of hills, but none were too stressful. The organization was excellent and the crowds were great. A class act with having the runners names announced as they approached the finish line, along with shaking hands with the official at the end of the race. It was a great experience, and a race I am definitely running again next year(10th Aniversary). My ONLY complaint is that there were no signs indicating an up coming water stop, at times they seemed to be very close to each other. Pigs really do fly |
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