The new course was fun. If there was a negative, it was backtracking parts of the course. I expected a little larger crowds (Eastern Ave and Covington, KY were extremly small, very nice crowds at the beginning, Eden Park, Hyde Park, Central Parkway and Newport, KY). The volunteers (grunts) were extremly nice at all of the water stops. Can't say enough about them. Some volunteers at the finish line could be little more patient with runners (some were almost rude). I would do it again and wouldn't discourage anyone from coming to Cincinnati, OH to run the Flying Pig.

The Flying Pig is simply one of the best all-around marathons in which I have ever taken part.

While the Flying Pig is certainly not a flat course, the hills are in no way insurmountable... In fact, if you've trained on hills, the ups and downs might be somewhat of a relief.

The excellent weather, perfect organization, pretty course, reasonable crowd size (less than 5,000 participants in the full marathon - so great after the absolute traffic jams in Chicago...) friendly volunteers, enthusiastic (if not numerous) spectators and kind locals all combined to make a banner day.

Though Cincinatti doesn't seem like the most exciting place in the world to spend a weekend, I will say that there are many activities to be found and the world-class marathon makes it well worth the trip.

I don't know if I would ever run the race again... I'm simply reluctant to try to re-do such a perfect day. I HIGHLY recommend this race.

This was my 119th marathon and I must say that this is very close to the top of my list as my favorite. The organization/support was terrific. Clocks/aid staions every mile, music, great scenery, and PERFECT weather. I thought that the hill's ups and downs were the perfect mix to keep your legs honest. I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for an enjoyable, fun, fast race.

Great spectators on this hilly course.

I'm not sure they have many races 'neater' than this one. All kinds of goodies in the goodie bag, great finisher medal --- just a classy event! The finish was great with the lengthy chute before the finish line. This year's weather couldn't have been better and the course is really set up nicely. As someone else has noted, the hills are all in the right places and there is nothing too brutal or mean-spirited on the whole course. Great job Cincinnati!

I already gave praise to this race back when I did it in 2000, but that was only my second marathon so I did not have a lot to compare to the Pig. I have now run 9 marathons and 1 ultra and I just wanted to reiterate that THE FLYING PIG IS A GREAT RACE! When people ask me what races I like best, the Pig and Twin Cities are my two responses. The Pig had the best expo, the best finish area, the best medal,great volunteers, etc. etc. For anyone thinking of doing a marathon, try this one. I highly doubt Cincy will let you down.
(Twin Cities edges Cincy out barely, as my favorite only because of the prerace Metrodome shelter, and the beauty of the course)
Thanks AGAIN Cincy!

I ran this marathon in 2001 and 2002 and plan to run it again this year. The Flying Pig is the perfect mid-sized marathon--well organized, friendly, festive and fun. To the runner below who complained about the angry mob, you must have run the Flying Pig in some evil parallel universe, like the one where Captain Kirk is a bad guy and Mr. Spock has a beard. For anyone thinking about running this marathon, here are a few points to consider:

Don?t be alarmed by the hills. They look ominous on the elevation chart, but they come up in the perfect part of the race (miles 5-7), and they aren?t that bad. The ?hill? at mile 16 is negligible, though it looks like more on the elevation chart. I had PRs both times I ran here (in my second and fifth marathons), so you can get a good time on this course. The bridges at the end might be a challenge. Just take in the view and remember that when you hit the middle of the last bridge back into Ohio, you?re done: It?s all downhill from there.

The city is really into the marathon, which gives the Pig a very festive feel. I especially loved the music and the choir and the well-spaced ?Top Ten reasons to keep going? between miles 20 and 21 (I think).

The course is fantastic and really shows off what a beautiful city Cincinnati is. Yes, yes--maybe not every step is beautiful, but you see downtown and neighborhoods and town squares and the riverfront. The finisher?s area on the riverfront is perfect. You can pick between sun or shade and asphalt or grass to go with a nice view of the river and Kentucky.

My greatest concern is the weather--specifically, heat. It was too warm in 2001, but just right in 2002 (for those finishing by around 10:00, anyway). They start the race at 6:30, which is smart, but it can be as hot as summer in May. Both years, it was warmer the week before the race, but we caught a break each time. Last year, I went back to Cincinnati two weeks later and they had near record cold temperatures around freezing, which some people wouldn?t like. The weather is unpredictable in the spring, and you just don?t know. I like this race enough to take the chance. Never count on perfect weather anywhere, I guess.

My only complaint is that the split times posted on the website are, in my case at least, obviously inaccurate. Why would they be inaccurate? Are there human-made calculations that allow human error? Why not just post our gun times at the splits and let us figure out the chip times? The overall chip time was accurate, however, and that?s the main thing, but if I weren?t able to verify that time through my watch, I?d really be in doubt that they got my overall chip time right. Very mysterious.

That's a small complaint, however, and this is a fantastic marathon. You've got to run the Pig!

Definitely hit the hills before you try this marathon. Course takes you uphill through beautiful Eden Park from about mile 5 through mile 7. Generally flat and downhill thereafter until the last three miles where you'll cross the Ohio River twice and the Licking River once. The two Ohio River bridges have you going straight uphill for nearly a quarter mile . . . but the reward is on the other side. The 2002 start in the heart of downtown was slightly dangerous - too many people in too small an area. I could not even get to the street before the gun went off. I understand the start has been changed for 2003 to a more open area by Paul Brown Stadium. Good support throughout and a good finish area fenced off for runners only. Excellent experience and will definitely be there in 2003.

This was my 5th one and meant a new PR, and best of all, in my new hometown. The organization is impecable and must agree that only the Dayton AirForce one is better...and not by a lot. The course is in general good and even though the hill is a little tough, it is at mile 7 and that means a long, long downhill afterwards. Volunteers did a great job and the end of the race, with the 'never ending bridge' is pretty challenging. The Pig is a well kept secret I just wanted to share with fellow runners....and a must for any of them who wants to have a pretty cool medal

I have run 7 marathons including Boston, DC and Chicago. The Pig is a different experience but not necessarily worse. It is extremely well organized -- I'll just say I think they do everything within their power to put you in a position to PR. What more can you ask? Any glitches were very minor. Maybe a little crowded at start but I've seen worse. Not a flat course though; nor excessively hilly. I found hills pleasantly challenging but hard-core PR seeker might want to find a flatter course. Crowds great most places but sparse in others. T-shirt and medal are top-flight; my 5 year old loves the medal!!