Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Jul 2, 2024

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 91 to 101]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 52 > ]

A. L. from Canada (5/2/2011) "Fun! But Way too congested at the start!!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well this was my 4th Marathon- and It was very enjoyable- People were so excited we were from Canada! I knew little about Cincinnati prior to my arrival; what a beautiful city filled with very kind people. The expo was fantastic! You get a packsack and a t shirt! The course was challenging- 4 miles of steady uphill- and some parts of it- there were no fans.. However for the most part there was lots of entertainment. My biggest complaint was the walkers, half marathon and full marathoners ALL start at the same time- It was a disaster of people tripping over each other at the beginning until mile 9! Wave starts are needed- as well the half marathoners starting either before or after the full marathoners!! The pasta party was great! and the race organizers were fantastic. I ended up sitting at the pasta party with the race director and marketing crew and they were genuinely excited to have 'out of towners' there. I recommend this race- but I do think a few small changes could make this race even better!
C. H. from Louisville Kentucky (5/2/2011) "4th marathon - great experience" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my fourth marathon, and my first Flying Pig. I ran the Derby Half Marathon the prior day, so my body and mind were exhausted by the time this race started, but even still, I had a great experience. It was definitely a little congested with so many runners the first 3-4 miles of the race, but that's expected of a race this large. The first few water stops were also a little disorganized - volunteers couldn't keep up with the volume of runners needing water/Gatorade, so we had to wait sometimes for drinks to be poured. Other than these two VERY SMALL details, I had a great run. The weather was rainy at first but that stopped shortly after the start and the breeze made for a nice race. Support was wonderful - from residents coming out to cheer, to volunteers, to medical personnel and police directing traffic. I would highly recommend this challenging course.
W. V. from Cincinnati, Ohio (5/1/2011) "Another wet Pig, fun for all!" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Why can't May in Cincinnati cooperate? Rain kept the spectators down a bit this year, but they were still enthusiastic. It's hilly, but where there's up, there's also blessed down. The expo seemed smaller this year and the new starting corral system was a bit of a challenge (how do I get across the fence and into the starting line? I hop over!), but that will improve with time. Clean wet towels were awesome at mile 21, plenty of potties and fluid stations all through, stayed open and stocked for even a slowpoke like me. Great for first-timers and vets alike. Hightail it down and run the Pig!
M. H. from NC, USA (9/5/2010) "Fun & wet" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I trained all winter for my 1st full marathon. I started the Nashville Country Music Marathon and ended up finishing The Flying Pig Marathon. I dislike the cheap feel of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series, so I was very pleased with all of the goodies and support thrown my way in Ohio. I love my free poster and duffel bag! The medal is super cute, as is the ladies' tech shirt (with tail!). Overall, I felt all the love and pride in Cincinnati. On the other hand... I think it may be time for a corral system and wave start. The first several miles were a mess of different speed/distance runners and walkers. I never did locate my pace group. All of this might have bothered me more if I had not been distracted by the river below my feet and the waterfall on my head. :0 The first aid stations did not have Vaseline or BioFreeze. I came across Vaseline in the 20s when we ran through a neighborhood that thought of plenty (beer, gummy bears, fruit, M&Ms).
K. A. from Key West, FL (7/6/2010) "Sorry, not a fan. :-(" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 15 marathons and have never posted a bad comment about any of them. But I have to say, for me personally, this was my least favorite marathon of all. The soggy weather didn't bother me; you accept that as part of the race. However, the thousands of half marathoners and relayers made the race WAY TOO CROWDED! I spent most of the marathon dodging slower walkers and runners who lined up completely wrong and didn't know race etiquette (to stay to the right). This was also a very hilly course with some strange twists and turns. I will say that the expo and give-aways were fantastic. Top notch. And the organization for such a huge race was impressive. If you like huge events with lots of craziness and schwag, you'll like this race. However, if you're like me and prefer small races with a hometown feel, more space to move and a low-key atmosphere, this race might not be for you either.
G. P. from MI, USA (7/6/2010) "Tough hills, but a must-do marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have enjoyed this race every year that I have done it. Great organization; the best expo of all expos; great volunteers; beautiful course; and the nuns with the pig noses were there again this year at the top of the hill around mile 9. The hills in the first half of the course are due proper respect, as they are killers.
M. F. from Dayton, Ohio (5/15/2010) "An unforgettable experience" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2010 Flying Pig was a logistical tour-de-force on the part of the organizers and volunteers. This was my second marathon and first experience running with a pace team. The 3:30 leaders were human metronomes. I felt carried along by them and the near-continuous crowds. Despite the soggy weather, the entire event was tremendous.
Helen Garen from Dayton (5/14/2010) "I have run many, and "Flying Pig" is my favorite" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This time there was weather! The rain poured on the start line and yet all "bases were covered" by the organizers, and I write now especially to thank the volunteers. Exclamation points fail to express how we appreciate you giving your day. - Helen Garen
V. L. from Cincinnati, Ohio (5/11/2010) "Loved everything except food at finish!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 What a fun marathon. I would not change a thing except for the food at the finish. Doughnuts, Ho Hos and Fritos?? The bagels and fruit were not enough to satisfy me after running 26.2 in the pouring rain. I need a sandwich or pizza!
E. M. from Columbia, Missouri (5/10/2010) "Good race despite challenging weather..." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run a total of 10 full marathons and twice as many half marathons. Overall, the Pig is a nice marathon for the recreational runner, but not one I enjoyed from the competitive side. Pros: Excellent expo Good value for the cost of registration. Nice bling: gym bag, tech-shirt, and poster, along with minor odds and ends Cincinnati is a very friendly, fun, old-time, Midwestern city. Solid finishing area with good medical support and free massages. So that was a big plus, since I was battling major injuries before I took my first steps in the race. Cons: Too many walkers and recreational runners. I felt like I was continually pinned in by groups of three walkers or others with headphones on who could not hear me when I was trying to pass. So while I only ran the half marathon, I felt like I had run 19+ miles going side to side, to side... NOT fun and very frustrating. They advertise music on the course, but it was more like listening to elevator music! Each time I came to a music stop, it was slow, elevator music rather than anything to keep me going. Overall, I think the Pig is a nice marathon and has a good variety of events for runners of all ages and levels. But I will not be back. I like a more competitive feel to my races, and this one does not have it. If you are a first- or second-time marathoner, you may enjoy this; but if you are looking for a race for competitive racers, head to Columbus in October or Cleveland in late May - both cater to the competitive runner.

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 52 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use