Why is it called the "Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon?"

"In the 1800s, when riverboats plied the Ohio River, Cincinnati was a center of Western commerce. Since agriculture was a prime source of revenue in this area, boats filled with livestock and produce would dock in Cincinnati to sell their wares. Hogs were a major source of income for farmers here, as well, so pigs that were brought in by boat, or herded into town from area farms, were marched through the streets of Cincinnati to the processing plants. So many, in fact, that Cincinnati came to be known as "Porkopolis."

Fast forward to 1988, when Cincinnati celebrated its Bicentennial. To mark the occasion, the city decided to renovate its riverfront area to include a "Bicentennial Commons" park. Noted designer Andrew Leicester, was commissioned to design the commons, which was to reflect the city's past. When he submitted his plans, one signature feature caught everyone's attention: The entrance to Bicentennial Commons would be four smokestacks, for the city's riverboat heritage, with four flying pigs on top, reflecting, according to Leicester, the spirits of the pigs who gave their lives so that the city could grow.

After much outcry in City Council, who donned pig noses to debate whether the swine symbols would make the city the laughing stock of the country, the project was approved and the pigs became the signature sculpture of the new Cincinnati Riverfront.

In the mid-1990s, when a group of avid Cincinnati runners discussed starting a local marathon, the names "Queen City Marathon" and "River City Marathon" were discussed. But in the end, the only fitting name seemed to be one that continued to honor those popular pigs that once were ridiculed and now are celebrated. The "Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon" logo, bags and distinctive medals are prized possessions for runners around the country and, indeed around the world, leading Runner's World Magazine to call it the 'best named' marathon in the country!"

From: http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/about_us/

"The Pig" as the locals call it, was the obvious choice for my Ohio marathon.

Nancy, a friend from NYC who now lives in Cincinnati, also highly recommended it. A week before the marathon, I was in touch with Nancy to see if she would be around. It turned out that she was running the marathon too! BUT she was running it as a "training" run. The following week (May 11) she was doing a 50K (31.0686 miles) trail run. In addition to her being able to run really long distances comfortably, she is a Speedy Gonzales; because of these two factors, we didn't run the marathon together. But she was nice enough to pick me up at the airport on Friday night and let me crash at her place that night with her three adorable kitties.

From back to front: Nicholas, Grete, Kisa

On Saturday, we went to the marathon expo to pick-up our race numbers. On the way, we stopped at The BonBonerie, Nancy's favorite neighborhood bakery for coffee and a scone. After the expo, we drove and walked part of the course and stopped for lunch at Kitchen 452.

Our pre-race pasta dinner was at a running friend of Nancy's home. Jason and his wife, Lilah, made a delicious turkey lasagne —Jason even made the lasagne noodles from scratch! There is NOTHING like a homemade dinner. After dinner, Nancy dropped me off at the hotel where I was staying at for the next two nights, which was conveniently located near the start and finish line of the marathon.

Marathon morning was an early calling. Unfortunately, there was no time change so a 6:30 AM start was a 6:30 AM start. However, there was the most amazing sunrise, making it all worthwhile!

After a few miles, it clouded up and was raining by the time I crossed the finish swine, perfect conditions to run 26.2 miles.

That night, Nancy and I went to The Quarter Bistro in Mariemont for our celebration dinner and had ice cream after at Graeter's next door.

Monday, before I flew home, I walked around Cincinnati and "pigged out" on some of the local foods that were recommended:

Breakfast - goetta, breakfast sausage at First Watch ...

Lunch - Skyline Chili ...

Snack - ice cream at Graeter's ... again.

Thank you Nancy, for making "The Pig" filled with squeals of delight!
AND
Congratulation on placing first in your age division in the Gnaw Bone Dances with Dirt 50K
on May 11, 2013!

PS - Did you know that March 1 is National Pig Day?