The Flying Pig???

[AmyBeth68]

Hi guys...

Can anyone sell me on this half marathon? We're looking for a spring race and we have THE PIG on our radar . Others that we were considering are Country Music and Kentucky Derby. The Minnie is tempting too. But for some reason I'm interested in doing the Flying Pig! For those that have run it, can you give me an idea of what it's like in terms of crowd support, organization, fun??? Is there a lot to do afterwards? THANKS!!!! Did Country Music last year and it was a blast fyi!

 

[Dennyha]

We did the Flying Pig last year. It was a lot of fun. The expo is quite large (not Disney large, but the second largest expo we've been to.), and well organized. Crowd support is great, and the city really supports the Pig. For the 1/2M course, you cross over into Kentucky, and cross back. You work your way up to Eden park, with a beautiful view of the Ohio river. The course is one of the more challenging I've run. From Mile 5 to about Mile 8.5 is uphill. The last couple of miles is downhill. They have great water and food stops, and a huge after party.

There is a large WISH contingent that comes to the Pig. We had a blast. They have great medals, and all marathon and half-M runners get a Flying Pig back pack. It's a hard course to get a PR, but it's a great course to have a great time.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hi Amy - Great race, lots of fun. I even bought socks with Flying Pigs on them. I really enjoyed running the 1/2M last year, and the day was absolutely perfect. Tough 2.5-3 mile hill, but then the finish is 3 miles downhill. I felt like I was flying at the end. The crowd support was fantastic, and I loved being with all the WISHers. There's a certain Cincinnati couple that couldn't have been more hospitable. I'm not going to do it this year only because I'm running Cleveland May 18th with my sister in law. There's starting to be a small WISH gathering at the Cleveland race now too.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Amy

I live in Cincinnati and am considering doing the half - I plan on driving the course this weekend to see if I really want to - I know the area they are talking about is REALLY hilly - I will take pictures of the hills if you want...

I have heard the race is a lot of fun and that there is a great crowd of supporters plus the medal is pretty cool - I know I have to do it at least once I am just not sure this is my year!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Amy--DO THE FLYING PIG!!!! It is an AWESOME race, hands down my favorite half marathon course. The crowd support is fantastic, I think it's much better than Disney (although I heard this year the crowd support was better than in the past). The course is very hilly, (ha, ha, Denny, I PR'd on the Pig ), but it offers gorgeous views of the city. The best is the top of Eden Park mile 9ish, definitely worth the climb. The Expo is well run, not nearly as big as Disney's, but it is very well organized and well staffed.

While I'm out for the Pig this year, Stephen is definitely running the half and I will be scream teaming throughout the course. Last year all the Wishers had dinner together at Buca di Beppo's, we can definitely do that again, or we can pick another restaurant.

Oh, just a few more things to talk you into the Pig: early start (6:00 am), so you can head home on Sunday if you need to, nice weather in Cincinnati in early May--usually the start is around 50-55 degrees and it really doesn't get that much warmer, cheap half marathon entry fee, if you sign up before April (I think it's around $50), great race goodies--a t-shirt, gym bag or backpack, and poster, plus the medal is one of the most envied marathon medals.

Have I talked you into the Pig yet??

Krista

 

[goofyinohio]

I think I'm going to try the Flying Pig as well. I've heard great things about it and figure why not. Oh and I'm doing the half. The only full I'll probably do is WDW.

 

[DisneyMarathon]

I am considering the Flying Pig too. How does the medal look like?