I like the course, which had rolling hills and flat parts. The people of Cincinnati are proud of this race and it shows. Every neighborhood was more encouraging than the last; it makes you want to move there.

The website and the emails from the race director are great - out-of-towners really appreciate it. The race description was the best! I would like that person to scout out all of my marathon courses because I ran the race in my mind many times before driving 700 miles to Cincy. That was so helpful! I saw all of the landmarks and people that were described. The expo was easy to find and had lots of good vendors; parking was free.

The medal is very nice. The pig theme is great, and many pigs run this race. Post-race, the food was good and they had a nice picnic.

My only gripe is that the finish line is behind an overpass, which means that you have to climb those stairs to find your friends and see them finish.

The whole experience at the Flying Pig was awesome! This was my 4th marathon, but first in 17 years. My previous races were NYC, Chicago and Philly. The Pig, though not attracting as many runners as some of the big-name marathons, certainly holds its own. Volunteers do a fantastic job. The course is very nice, running through numerous neighborhoods. There are quite a few fans cheering for you throughout. Coming from eentral FL, I was not as well prepared for the hills on the course, but other than one long hill, the rest were mostly manageable rolling hills. I hope to be back to run the Pig again!

This was my 1st marathon, and it was a fantastic experience. Staying downtown, just across the street from the expo, offered a nice walk to start. Crowd participation was unbelievable. Cincy should be very proud! The only negative comment I have is (as others have said) about the lack of food at the finish. I finished in 4:25 and the only food I saw were rock-hard bagels - that I didn't have the energy to chew - and apples. Neither was appealing. I truly needed a banana, chips, pizza - anything else! I will most likely do this one again.

Great expo! One of the very best (only NY and Berlin were larger). The fans were plentiful and enthusiastic. I loved seeing the nuns in front of a convent wearing pig hats. The volunteers were friendly and encouraging. Criticism: I searched endlessly on the website for a phone number to reach a race official on Friday before the marathon. When I eventually found a number, I got a recording to call back Monday!! I called on Monday and got a recording to leave a message. I left two, but no one called me back. Unacceptable.

Organization was great. Plenty of aid stations and port-o-pots. Expo was in a nice place and very interesting. Watched Bart Yasso's presentation and got his book. Very nice read. Course was a little crowded at the start but thinned in the first few miles. After the half split, there was plenty of room. It is a little hilly to say the least. Crowd support is good. The finisher's chute was really nice. Homemade-type chocolate ice cream was great. I definitely will repeat this marathon.

An incredible race with excellent organization, superb volunteers, excellent fans, and a well-laid out course.

From start to finish, there is very little to criticize. The expo was full of many free goodies being passed out by numerous vendors. Race gifts included a decent quality work bag, nice poster, and a superb technical t-shirt that actually fits well!

The race is laid-out very well. I remember running San Fran, and they run you through an old factory area late in the race where there are no fans/support (ugh), but these organizers do that early and it is only a small stretch (bravo, because the marathoners need the support late in a race). The volunteers were incredible (the best I have ever had the pleasure to witness) and the fans were fantastic. I have NEVER seen the poor community support a race like the lower-classes did for the Flying Pig. It was great to see everyone except for the super rich come out for the race. The numerous opportunities to hear bands and music along the course was nice. The post-race festivities were nice, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive a double-sided medal!

Only a few minor issues for a race that I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone. 1) There should be FREE parking for the lots on Sunday morning. The runners are bringing in enough money to the local economy and to charge them $5 to park in a lot that would otherwise be empty on a Sunday morning is insulting. 2) Instead of bagels (I never understood the idea of having heavy bagels for runners after a long race), why not pizza? 3) I never understood why one free small photo couldn't be provided to everyone who races. I hate that I always have to shell out around $10-$15 for one small photo of me crossing the finish line. The music after the race was fine and the free massage were good as well. Overall, while it took me 8 hours to drive there from Burlington, NC, it was worth it!

Great race and the City of Cincinnati takes pride in the Flying Pig Weekend. I ran three events: the 10K, the 5K and the marathon; and each event was well run, with ample support, water, food and volunteers.

Pros:
1. The COURSE is hilly but it gives you a chance to use other muscles to keep your legs fresh for the last 6 miles. You get a great view of the city.
2. The medals are great, with the front and back of the Pig.
3. The climb from mile 5 to 8 is tough, but at the top the VIEW of Kentucky across the Ohio River is worth the effort.
4. The men's choir singing "God Bless America" at the highest point on the course was a highlight.
5. The expo was big enough to keep you interested, but not so big as to wear out you legs.
6. MEDICAL staff were all over the course, watching runners, which gave you a great level of comfort.
7. The water stops - both official and unofficial - were FANTASTIC. They were well manned, with great people. Cold, peeled oranges at the church stop were just what this runner needed. Twizzlers at the TNT water stopped tasted like steak at mile 17.
8. Great swag: Nice carry bag for the office, a poster, tech shirts.
9. The number of CHARITIES the events helped was amazing. It is always a pleasure to feel like by being at the race I am helping others. The kids' 1-mile event start with all of the elementary schools in their different-colored t-shirts on Saturday was worth the price of admission - great work on helping kids develop healthy lifestyles!!!!
10. Pace Leader JUDY is the best I have run with - always positive, she kept a steady pace. Hope to run with her again someday.

Cons:
1. The start of all three events I did needed signs to allow for runner to line up with expected times. Too many walkers were in front of runners, which caused the first mile or two of all three events to be slow. I was forced to bounce around and lose pace. I love seeing new runners and walkers at the events (I was there three years ago), but just line up in the back half, not the front half.
2. Food at the end of the marathon had been cleaned out by the half-marathoners by the time I got to the finish line.

If you like running marathons, do the FLYING PIG!!!!

This is my second time doing the PIG. I love coming back to Cincinnati. This is my second home, since I'm a refugee who came from Viet Nam in 1975. The community of Cincinnati has helped my family to get started in this new country. I will never forget what they have done for us. God bless Cincinnati and the United States of America.

Fantastic organization, great but tough course, very good expo, and wonderful support staff. I did not use the buses to the start or back to the hotel, as I walked the short distance from the hotel to the start line and back from the finish line.

I cannot say enough good things.

This was my first marathon and I was blown away by the support from the spectators (and the number of spectators that showed up!). I have run a few small half-marathons, and they both pale in comparison to the organization and execution of the Flying Pig. The course has many hills and I had not trained on hills enough, but the spectators were so great - they cheered you on the entire way!!