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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 411 to 421]
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M. B. from Fort Wayne, Indiana
(5/5/2004)
 "It just keeps getting better!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2004 race was rainy and cool -- in other words, just about perfect for a marathon. After the disaster at Boston this year, a 6:30 start on a cool day makes a lot of sense. The course was changed a bit this year, with the bridges over the Ohio River moved to the beginning miles, so that the hills are mostly out of the way for the second half. Lots of turns and several hills keep you on your toes. Despite a challenging course, it is also pretty fast. I think this is my favorite marathon of all, because I feel a great sense of accomplishment after success on a challenging course. The whole Flying Pig theme really seems to work for this race. Everything is first-class -- especially the medals, which have always been the best. | |
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Mark Hegyi from Alexandria, Kentucky
(5/5/2004)
"Great race for the first-time marathon runner" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the first marathon that I have ever run in. The course was challenging, but not overwhelming. If you have taken your time to train before the race, you should have no problem finishing this marathon, especially if it is your first marathon. I recommend this marathon to any experenced or first-time marathon runner. | |
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Jim Wetter from Cleveland, Ohio
(5/5/2004)
 "Awesome first marathon experience" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am extremely happy I ran this one as my first marathon. Even the chilling steady rain couldn't keep me from feeling that every marathoner should run the Pig. The start went off pretty much on time, which was helpful considering the weather. The steady climb up into Eden Park was tough, but I would have been disappointed otherwise. Along the way, there were plenty of water stops and the volunteers and spectators who encouraged us despite the conditions were awesome. One route change I would have considered would be to take the route off of Eastern Avenue toward the end of the race. That didn't do anything for me because it was kind of lonely. Maybe they could have looped back through a part of Hyde Park. A minor beef with a well-organized race. Plus, qualifying for Boston doesn't hurt (pun intended). | |
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John Mullen from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/5/2004)
"Challenging but fun" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very good course. What's interesting is that the Pittsburgh Marathon has a reputation for being hilly/challenging. But after running Pittsburgh in '02 and '03 and now running the Flying Pig in '04, I'd have to say that the Pig is even more challenging. As for crowd support, it isn't bad, but not as good as Pittsburgh or Chicago. But there are few sections where there isn't someone to cheer you on. | |
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Mike Noble from Toledo, Ohio
(5/5/2004)
"A great marathon experience" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is really well organized. It rained almost the whole race and the community support could not have been better. My hat is off to all the volunteers and the people that supported the race and all the runners. I thought changing the course so that you run over the bridges into Kentucky actually made the course harder. It was nice not to have to face the bridges at the end of the race but the backside of the course had a whole lot of small ups and downs that I found very challenging. Over all this is a great race, well organized, very well supported and I love running it. Expect me back next year. | |
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J. P. from Kansas
(5/5/2004)
 "Interesting course, well-supported marathon" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Cincinnati supports their marathon well, as always. I found the course and the cities/towns we ran through to be very interesting. I had no idea how H-I-L-L-Y this course would be, but all of the most brutal hills were in the first half of the race (which I understand is a welcome change from the past). There was a light rain throughout the race, but the streets drained well enough that it wasn't an issue. The high points... - Two very nice runner goodies included with the entry fee: a backpack and a race poster. Both items were of good quality - a small day pack that would cost $20-30 at a store and a professionally-done poster than most races charge $15-20 for. We also got a basic white Flying Pig T-shirt. (Personally, I'm glad they spent the money on goodies besides the shirt!) - Awesome on-course support. There were official aid stations almost every mile, plus a handful of unofficial ones. - Several interesting live bands along the course. The Cincinnati newspaper somewhat overstated how many entertainers would be on the course (they said there would be 50; it was more like 10-15), but the ones that were there were actually quite good. - Digital clocks at every mile. - FREE BEER at the finish line. - And, of course, the infamous Flying Pig finisher's medal. :) My only criticism of the Pig is that the folks who organized the after-race festivities underestimated how many people were actually going to finish the race. I finished roughly 2200th out of 4000+ full-marathoners, and the victory party was already shutting down when I crossed the line. They had run out of foil blankets and most of the food. Finisher's T-shirts were only available in 2 sizes when I got there. I felt bad for the folks out there running their first marathon - but the time the over-5-hour finishers arrived, there was probably nothing left. This is probably the best Central US race at this time of year - I would definitely go back! Next time, I won't cheat on my hill training... | |
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g. m. from cincinnati, ohio
(5/5/2004)
"New course was fun but finish line needs help." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The new course was fun & a challenge for the mind. You had to plan & think about the run. As in the past, the volunteers (AKA grunts) were really super considering the weather conditions. I also want to express my appreciation to the fans along the way. Mariemont & Linwood fans, you were super. The only downer beside the weather was at the finish line. Some of the volunteers were rude passing out the finishing medals - very snippy. After running 26.2 miles you earned that medal. Some lessons should be taken from the Air Force Marathon. To make a big deal out of finishing the run. Plus the lack of Mylar blankets to be handed out. The recovery area need a little improvement. Overall, it was fun & I'll do it, again. Thanks CINCINNATI!! -gjm | |
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David Hoffman from Milwaukee, Wis
(5/4/2004)
"Hazardous" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I loved the course, clocks every mile, the hoopla, the merchandise and even the weather since I always do my best in a cold rain. But starting the relay runners at the same time as the marathon creates hazardous running as they push their way through. | |
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J. B. from Gig Harbor, WA
(5/4/2004)
"Great marathon for walkers" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you love to walk marathons, this is the marathon for you. If you are a runner, this marathon gives you choices of running it yourself, or participating in either a 2-person or 4-person relay team. These relays are both for runners and walkers. It is the best organized marathon I have been in and I have participated in one of the best (i.e. Portland). This year the weather was wet, windy and cold but the spectators and supporters were still out there for us all. The walking event starts 1 1/2 hours before the running event, so when you are in the last few miles there are still water stations available and spectators to cheer you on. Many of the other marathons do not give the walkers this large of head start so that only your family is there to cheer you on, the others have long left to meet up with their runners at the finish. The support stations are usually out of cups and may have even packed up. The new course this year is great. There is a long climb from miles 6 - 9 but not bad if you train on hills. So if you love to walk 26.2 miles, this is the one for you. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors the 2004 Flying Pig Marathon was wonderful. It is one I will do again. | |
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Bruce Robinson from Charleston, SC
(5/4/2004)
"2004! Rainy, chilly, and FABULOUS!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The energy and enthusiasm from spectators in such inclement weather says a lot for Cincinnatians who support us runners with drinks and oranges and bananas and cheering good wishes! First two-thirds of the course are stunning (and hilly), and last third's neighborhoods leave more than a little desire to be back in the first two-thirds, yet the run is so well supported by locals throughout. And the medal for (and theme of) the race cannot be beat. This race doesn't take itself seriously and is therefore one of the best and most pleasant experiences any marathoner could ask for! Kudos to the organizers and volunteers for having a well-deserved third largest marathon enrollment. |
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