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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 461 to 471]
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R. J. from Chicago
(2/26/2003)
 "Let me reiterate" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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t. k. from Washington, DC
(2/20/2003)
"fantastic mid-sized marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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T. L. from Nicholasville, Kentucky
(2/11/2003)
 "Not for the faint of heart." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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. | |
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A Runner from Cincinnati, Ohio
(10/31/2002)
"Proud to have such a race in town" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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 | |
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A Runner from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(10/19/2002)
 "Great Mid-sized Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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!! | |
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Marathon Runner and Disappointed Cincinnatian from Cincinnati, OH
(10/15/2002)
 "An Angry Mob" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The marathon course was fine; hilly between 5 and 7, but otherwise kind. It wasn't scenic throughout but there were views of the river and some tree lined streets to enjoy. The absolute worst part of the race was the start line. It was too narrow and too crowded with spectators who should not have been permitted to crowd onto the office building-enclosed city street on which the start line was positioned. Inevitably, as the time drew near, people began shoving and trying to force their way through the crowd of spectators/runners. I was pushed to the ground by a man (twice my weight and at least a foot taller than me) in the middle of this angry mob. It was not the positive scene or energy with which anyone wants to start a marathon. The finish was poorly planned as well. The final stretch toward the finish line narrowed to accomodate the width of only three or four runners. I was at the height of my final sprint when I had to abruptly stop a few yards short of the finish line because a group of runners in front of me had slowed to join hands for a group photo as they crossed the finish line. There was no room to bypass them because of the funnelling chainlinks on either side, and the group either did not hear me or ignored me when I called out. This is the only marathon I've run after which I can say it is not in my best interest to run it again. If you want a positive marathon experience with great organization and positive energy, try Chicago or the R&R Marathon in San Diego. If you want to bully or be bullied at the start, wait in single-file to cross the finish line, and leave disappointed from running a poorly organized race, try the Flying Pig. | |
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A Runner from Dearborn, Michigan
(10/2/2002)
"Well deserved praise for the Pig" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Organizationally fantastic (Only the Air Force Marathon is better) course is beautiful (but hilly) Pr'd despite going into the hill at ~7 miles too hard. Long stretches with few spectators, but I don't mind. The bridges at the end are a b*tch but worth the view and the challenge. Finishing area on the river was great. Some SNAFU on the intermediate timing stations (for split times) but otherwise perfect! | |
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A Runner from Atlanta, GA
(6/27/2002)
"Don't turn up your snout to THE PIG!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race!! After 6 years of being haunted by my unsuccesful attempt at the Atlanta Marathon in 1995, I decided to try again. This time in Cincinnati. I was pleased with my 4:12 time and am now hooked on marathoning. The Pig was a lot of fun. Great fan support. Couldn't imagine better volunteers. Great food. I immediately signed up for Chicago and look forward to running Cinti again in '03. | |
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A Runner from Maryland
(6/10/2002)
"Great marathon with an awesome medal" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 2002 marathon and LOVED it. This was my fifth marathon and I think my favorite to date. The course was fun to run for the most part. There was a part along a highway which was boring to run, but every course has a portion where its hard for spectors to get to or you have to run through an industrial park. The spectors were great. In fact around mile 18 (I think) there was a group of people handing out candy and cookies to the runners. My only complaint was I stopped at a first aide station for some vasoline and they did not have any. The volunteer gave me some medical tape which helped for about a mile. The finishers' area after the race is a large fenced in grassy area with ample shade and plenty of food (including ice cream). The best part of this marathon without question is the medal. It is the coolest medal I have in my collection. I would highly recommend this marathon to all marathoners. | |
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A Runner from Columbia, MO
(6/10/2002)
"Great running environment" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2002 Flying Pig was my first maraton after a 10 year layoff. I had a PR and a fun time. Fantastic support from fellow runners and fans along the way. I will definately run this race again in the future. I urge anyone who is thinking about running a marathon to check this one out. |
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