Flying Pig Marathon 2015: Route, Course Map, Times, Event Details
The Flying Pig Marathon is one of the most unique and entertaining races in the United States, and the 17th edition of the event in Cincinnati promises to leave a lasting impression.
Runners will make the rounds through the streets of Cincinnati while also rolling through parts of Kentucky such as Covington and Newport. Some of them will be clad in pig snouts and ears, but there is no question that there is a competitive element to this race amid the wackiness.
With the Flying Pig Marathon set to commence Sunday, here is a full rundown of everything you need to know about the event.
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Flying Pig Marathon Details
| Sunday, May 3 | 6:30 a.m. | Cincinnati |
Course Map (Courtesy of Fox19 on Twitter)
A PDF of the course map is also available at FlyingPigMarathon.com.
Points of Interest
Record Participation
The Flying Pig Marathon has been growing in terms of popularity ever since its inception, but it will reach a high-water mark this year in terms of participation.
According to Shannon Russell of the Cincinnati Enquirer, overall entries are up 5.9 percent in 2015, and the 32,600 entries in the Flying Pig Marathon and its ancillary events are an all-time record.
Kerry Lee is among the male entrants in the marathon, and he is intent on scoring a victory after several near misses, per Russell.
"The Pig is my favorite race. I've said that I want to win it someday," Lee said. "This is my fourth year in a row being in the top three. I just can't seem to do it. But I won't give up."
Due to the sheer number of participants as well as the quality of many of the runners involved, the Flying Pig Marathon is quickly becoming viewed as a top-flight event.
It is clear that people simply want to be associated with it, and that will continue provided the participants are treated in a first-class manner just like they have been for so many years previously.
Weather Forecast
One of the few things that can put a damper on an event like the Flying Pig Marathon is the weather. There isn't much that can be done about such an unpredictable variable, but it looks as though runners will luck out this year.
According to Weather.com, the forecast for Sunday's marathon is sterling. With a high of 76 degrees and only a 10 percent chance of precipitation, the conditions should be close to perfect. Since the race starts early in the morning the temperature figures to be a bit cooler, but that should be even more advantageous to the participants.
Organizers roll the dice a bit by holding the Flying Pig Marathon in the spring, but they'll come away looking like geniuses provided the forecast holds true to form.
Lauren Hill Remembrance
Perhaps the best part of the Flying Pig Marathon is the fact that it allows Cincinnati residents to come together in the name of certain causes. That will be the case when they remember the impact Lauren Hill made on the area.
Hill was a basketball player at Mount St. Joseph University who inspired many by playing despite having a brain tumor. Hill tragically passed away in April, but she will continue to be honored for a long time to come.
As seen in this Facebook post courtesy of the Flying Pig Marathon, the 22nd mile of the race will be dedicated to Hill since she wore the No. 22:
Hill touched the lives of many people, and there is no question that she is deserving of such a significant honor.
The Flying Pig Marathon provides a huge platform that seemingly captivates the entire city of Cincinnati, and it is fitting that Hill's memory will take center stage.
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