Since I use this site regularly to choose my next race, it is only fair to comment for others to see. I love The Flying Pig Marathon.

Reasons to run:
*Great expo with lots of schwag
*Easy walk to the start from downtown (especially compared to NYC, with a 1-hour bus ride and 3-hour wait outside)
*Lines at porta-johns were only six-deep 20 minutes prior to the start
*Challenging loop course (not every course should be flat!)
*Ample fluid stations with great volunteers
*Clearly marked miles with clocks and volunteers calling out paces
*A huge variety of post-race food

Reasons not to run:
* Unpredictable, spring, Ohio weather :(

Woke up in the morning and watched the lightning and rain come down. Watched the news and waited for the run to be canceled, but it never was - THANKS.

There is a certain bond that forms among runners in any marathon, but even more so under these conditions. The group was great; we were soaked before the gun went off, but nobody was complaining - they just went about the business of getting a new PR. This medal will mean more than the others.

The city really gets behind the marathon and the crowd was great for coming out in these conditions. You will have fun if you run in 2011.

Thanks, Cincinnati!

Great course. This was only my 3rd marathon. With the weather (rain), I was not as excited before the race. However, just after the start you get to run over 3 bridges and through-spectator heavy downtown in the first 5 miles. I am a hill runner, and this was a blast. Many up and down grades. Mile 5-8 were a long, gradual hill that makes you run a smart race, otherwise you will burn out quickly. The view from Eden Park was phenomenal on a rainy day. I can only imagine what it would be like on a clear day. The remainder of the course was lined by spectators, which made things more fun. Great ending at the Reds' stadium. Excellent medal. Good selection of food for post-race. I give it an A+ on a D- weather day. By the way, I got my PR at 3:23. Thanks, Flying Pig; I will definitely do this one again!!

My first marathon, but I'm a half marathon veteran. Highlights: Fun course with unparalleled support. It rained like you wouldn't believe before and during the race, yet the locals were out in force. Many Boston vets were along the course cheering on runners. The medal is among the best in the business.

Lowlights: Weather caused wet socks and blisters. Hills - not for everyone. I weigh 200 pounds, so this course ate me up. One thing other posts neglect: there are some very nasty, steep, short hills on mile 17. I never recovered from the constant onslaught of inclines. The expo was a one-way street and was bottlenecked in parts. Very frustrating.

Great experience.

I loved this race, even with the rain!! It was a great experience waiting for race start in the downpour with lightning - we runners are a swarthy crew indeed!! It was my first time in Cincinnati, and this course really hit all the of highlights! It went through many cute boroughs, and the view of the river in the mist with the choir was amazing! Many times I found myself just thinking about how truly enjoyable the run was. The runners lounge around mile 15 was a godsend - Advil, cookies, and anything else you may want! Aid stations were numerous and plentiful, the spectators were so supportive, and the urban course was gorgeous and fun! I had a brilliant time and would highly recommend this for everyone! if you're looking for an interesting urban course with lots of support, then count this one in! By the way, I felt like there were just enough hills to keep your legs fresh and the run interesting.

This was my first marathon so I was a bit nervous and anxious. It was exactly what I had hoped for, except old Mother Nature wanted us to stay home! The crowd was always cheering you on - as a matter of fact, at one water point near mile 25, I started feeling it a bit, and as I reached for a water, a volunteer looked at me and said, "There are no walls, my friend." That gave me the energy to push out a great last mile and a half. I will do this race as long as I can run/walk, and I recommend it to all. Everyone loves my medal too. I have one question, and if anyone can help, I would appreciate it. Who was the guy shaking our hands at the Finish Swine? I'm not from the area, so I didn't know who it was. Thanks, and see you all again next year.

This was my third "Pig," and even the rainy weather did not stop folks from lining the streets to cheer us on. All aid stations were well stocked with smiling volunteers. The expo was great, as usual, with something for everyone. There was plenty of variety and an ample supply of food and drink at the finish line. This marathon gets better every year. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers - you truly make this an awesome event. What a great reflection on the City of Cincinnati.

Even in pouring rain, and even near the end of the race, the volunteers were great and very encouraging. A very good expo. A great experience. The Runner's World Challenge was also a great experience.

This was my first time running a marathon in the rain, but the crowd support was impressive given the weather. The rain probably caused some issues with the water/Gatorade stations. The Gatorade had an iodine taste to it. Cups used for water (different from those for Gatorade) were soaked by rain and fell apart a couple of times, spilling all of their contents when I tried to drink from them.

I was very concerned that this race would not even get started because of the thunder, lightning and rain taking place right up until we took off. But it did, and although it rained the entire way, it was one of my favorite marathons so far - if not my favorite. The t-shirt was very cute, the medals are fabulous, the expo was great, and the organization was wonderful. All of the spectators who came out in the rain and hung in there (I'm a slow runner) really were stellar, including the nuns, bands, chorus, etc. Even without all of that the course is delightful; it's well-worth running the race just for that. The view across the river at the top of the hill in Eden Park was jaw-dropping. Of course, you have to get up the hill first, which, like all my other adjectives, is pretty over the top. This race is a model for how the others should go! Thanks, Cincinnati.