I couldn't get enough of the endless cheers from Cincinnati fans who stood along this scenic course in the drizzling rain!! The new course makes the run very doable... hills in the beginning (with great city views), then jaunts through some of the city's most historic neighborhoods, and finally a long, flat stretch to end the race. Very well organized, terrific community support, this race just keeps getting better -- also ran in 2002 and my only complaint would have been the hills at the end, which have now been moved to the front.

Other benefits: great pre-race expo, pig-embossed medal and race poster, pace teams, and 2 t-shirts (a second shirt was handed out at the finish line so runners could have something dry to wear). I will definitely do this one again.

I can't say enough about this race - it rocked! I chose it because I wanted a good spring marathon at which to try for a Boston qualifier and all the comments on this website were so positive. They're all correct! The course is great, the spectators and volunteers were wonderful, and the organization was top-notch. I'd definitely run it again - though not next year, because I'm going to Boston!!

The weather stunk, but that was the last part and the least part of a marvelous experience. This, my third marathon was everything I had read and heard about. The registration/expo was very nice and easily done; the course challenging but quite doable; the organization had a sense of fun about it and did a terrific and responsive job; and the volunteers were unbelievable. As for the spectators; I couldn't say enough to capture the true spirit of the citizens of Cincinnati, they certainly enjoy and support their sports and the atheletes who compete in them. It was 50 degrees and rainy, with 15-20 mph winds the whole race and thousand upon thousands of Cincinnatians lined all parts of the course to cheer on the participants. At times it was overwhelming.

My race can pretty much be summarized in one story. Assured of a P.R. pretty early in the race, I set my sights on a lofty goal time at around 15 miles, and barely hung on to the pace I thought I would need to sustain to reach it.

Still on target just after the 25 mile mark, I came up to a short-but-steep hill with leg cramps that threatened to throw me just enough off pace. As I gritted my teeth for the climb, a young, beautiful, female spectator or volunteer ran up alongside me and said 'we'll finish this hill together'. Like a guardian angel she climbed the hill right along with me, with a melodic voice offering support and encouragement.

I blew past the hill and in to the finishing chute well ahead of schedule, and finished in a time that before the race I wouldn't have dared to dream of. Sucking wind like I was, I don't think I got the chance to properly thank her, but if she's reading this, thank you and all the spectators and volunteers for making such a difference for me and the rest of the runners on a cold, rainy morning.

Despite all the rain and cold wind, this was a great experience for me.This was my 2nd marathon (wish it had been my first), the race organization itself was fantastic and the spectators were out in the miserable weather with us. I improved on my 1st marathon time by almost 30 minutes! I was however very disappointed in the way the end of the race came to a sudden stop in the stalls, and trying to find family and friends at the Victory party, was impossible. Nothing was marked with letters of the alphabet like we were told; it took me an hour and 20 minutes to find my wife! This needs some work before next year, but, I wouldn't hestitate to run this race again. For all of you talking about how hard the 'hills' were, you need to come to train in East Tennessee.

This was my 2nd year here. The course seemed hillier, but they moved the difficult bridges to the earlier part of the race. The spectators are so supportive and well-spread out throughout the whole course. After finishing, the chute is too small and you move through slowly. They ran out of food at the table after finishing AND ran out of Mylar blankets. I was freezing and after 10 minutes took one out of a trash can before I found a fresh one later on in an obscure corner of the park where there was more food for runners. They need more signs directing runners where to go and some way to move us through faster.

Wow! The organization of this race is tremendous! It seems like the entire city gets involved. There are water/Gatorade stations and split times at every mile marker. The volunteers and spectators are very enthusiastic and offer tons of support and encouragement. Special thanks to those located at miles 20+ offering candy, and also to the police officer/drill sergeant who was belting out 'It's all downhill from here! You can do this aallll day long!' The goodies (including a spectacular backpack, finisher's t-shirt, and poster) are incredible, and the Flying Pig finisher's medal is by far my favorite. The course is hilly but very well laid out, and if a slow moving Texan training on flat terrain can do it, so can you! Don't miss this one!

This was put on very well. The course was great and the volunteers did an excellent job. The only change I would make would be a better-marked area for families and friends to find the runners after the race.

This was the first time I have particiapted in the Flying Pig, but it will not be the last. This was a wonderful event... well organized, a lot of free goodies, super-duper fans, and a beautiful course. Contrary to the hype, the hills are not that bad, and the worst of them are early in the race when you still have fresh legs... I set a PR, beating my prior time by over 30 minutes. The only problem with th event was the rain, but you have to expect this possiblity during a spring marathon.

In spite of the weather, the cheering fans and on-course entertainment were terrific, often humerous, and very uplifting... I can only imagine how it may have been if the weather was better.

This race is so great with the overall organization, crowd support, volunteers, course layout and runners 'goodies' that - even though it was a chilly, rainy day today (2004) - it was a ton of fun, and I highly recommend putting this marathon on anyone's 'to do' list! The course change this year was great (especially getting the bridges to and from Kentucky done with early). I liked that it was flat or downhill for the second half of the race. Not to be missed!!!!