I hear rave reviews about the marathon and the timing is right, but I’m looking for a BQ, not a pretty medal. The profile shows one gradual incline, 300ft over 3 miles in the first half, which isn’t too intimidating, but I’ve been deceived by elevation profiles before. Is the course layout conducive to a BQ attempt? Anyone care to share their Flying Pig experiences or opinions?
That race has been on my mind today and I even wrote a blog post about it, but for other reasons.
About the race. My marathon PR is still set at the Flying Pig, so I like it quite a bit. But it definately isn’t the easiest of the marathons that I’ve run. If I remember correctly, it felt like the first 9 miles were either flat or slightly uphill - nothing terrible. But once you get towards the end of the race you have to go over 3 bridges, which were not the easiest and they caused a fair amount of pain.
For a faster marathon, one week prior to the Flying Pig is the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Not sure where you would be coming from though?
Maybe some of the Cinci folks will talk more about the course specifically, but as far as a good race it was that. Nothing over the top as far as experience like Chicago, etc with too many people, nor does it have bands on every mile… but I actually enjoyed the scenery better than most of the marathons that I have run.
And… as I mentioned it still is my PR Course. (I actually dropped my pr from 3:28 to 3:04 there.)
Ha Ha Ha! 300 ft! There are at least 2 or 3 single climbs at least that! The Flying Pig is easily the hilliest marathon (and one of the best behind Boston and NYC) I have done. It is NOT a PR one and a tough BQ one as well. It gets great reviews because of the course, support, etc. Goes through multiple Cincy neighborhoods, across a few bridges and OH river into KY, back up Mt. Adams and you can see for miles across the river into KY, through some narrow streets with the crowd 10 deep, then a boring stretch back into the city for the finish.
I’ve done many marathons. Add about 10-15 mins to you “normal” time. If you are trying to BQ, Columbus or Chicago is pretty easy for that.
You must have done the course a few years ago - the bridges are right at the beginning now, no west side (flat) jaunt, and up the hills. Much nicer now I think.
2003 was the year I did the race. the one thing that I really liked (don’t remember where it was at in the race) was when you run up and around a climb and had some good views.
Ironically my Pig time was almost 1 hour faster than my Chicago time, but it was nothing to do with the course.
There is also a marathon in Louisville the weekend before the Flying Pig… but again I’d suggest the Country Music for a fast one in this area during that time of year (Chicago and Columbus are both fall).
Thanks, I actually designed the new lay out. 
I sit on the board of the Pig and the race rocks. Great suport, the hills get over by the middle and the last half is slightly down hill.
Not going to be an easy PR track. But becasue it is fun and the race itself is well run it makes the time go faster.
Come to the Natti, is is one of the best races I have done and I have run maybe 20+ marathons.
All right! I love the Pig!!! I’ve run it 3 times and had a great time each year - good crowd support, great views, interesting course, wonderful volunteers and just a really fun atmosphere. I’ve run a lot of marathons and this is definitely one of my favorites. But if your only goal is to qualify for Boston and you are right on the edge of being able to qualify, then I wouldn’t recommend it. My time in the Pig has been about 3-4 minutes slower than some of the other flatter marathons around the area (Columbus, Cleveland) although I’ve been able to qualify for Boston by running it (and I am not a fast runner - just old, so my BQ times are slower!). I did have more fun running the Pig than i did those other marathons though.
Great Race. Hard to BQ there though.
It is a hilly course. I dont care what the profile says. For a BQ’er I would look else where if your borderline of quailiyfing. Chicago is a great BQ…flat and fast. There is anther in Grand Rapids Michigan that is a BQ and is flat and fast. Nice run.
Nashville? I’ve heard that was a tough course, although I also heard they changed the course a few years back. I’ve got relatives in Nashville that have been hounding me to run there, so maybe it would be a better option all around. Thanks-
If you are looking for a spring marathon - last week of april first week of may, in this area - Nashville would be my choice if wanting to go fast. It may not be incredibly flat (i.e. Chicago, etc) but it is easier than the Flying Pig, IMO.
Now, if the “timing is (still) right” for you to run a fall marathon you have better choices to run flat courses. I’d suggest Columbus, but Chicago is flat too (nothing gets flatter) but in Chicago you have a lot more people to get in your way of a fast time.
If it is just an experience… they all have their pluses or minus. Except the Derby Marathon (same weekend as Nashville) in Louisville. If you want to run the Derby, enjoy the race and do the half.
Will Infinit be at the Expo? I am running the Pig and would love to meet the guy who has made a nutrional idiot like me able to get through races and training fully fueled!!
Should be. Marathons are not really our gig (for right now) but they give me the space for free. 95% I will be there.
If I am not, I will be one of the board members walking around with the blue blazers on that have the pigs tails sewn on the back. There is about 20 of us that act as welcomers.
Love the Pig and I’ve done it 2X - great race, incredible support from the community and the volunteers are second to none. I wouldn’t count on it for a PR or BQ, but it is a great event nonetheless. If you’re looking for flat n’ fast, and you’re close to ready to rock, check out the Shamrock Marathon in Va. Beach. The only ‘hills’ are a couple of bridge crossings, but it’s fast approaching.
Mike