Roger Glenski's Staging Area

The Flying Pig always shows up as a Top 10 marathon to run, but once you experience it, you realize it is the best running experience out there. Make no mistake, the stars of this race are the volunteers and spectators. Us runners simply get to humbly experience them as we run past. I was never alone during this race. The number of spectators is shocking, as is there uniqueness and volume, and aid stations are plentiful. There is plenty of support out there for the weary runner.

The expo is quite extensive and generous, with packet pickup quite easy. Staying in Newport or Covington is convenient, walking across the Purple People bridge bright and early to easily get to the start line. The course is reasonable, reflecting the Cincinnati landscape, with scenery matching the typical urban race. A stretch of hills miles 5-8.5, pretty flat to downhill after that.

The handling of the unprecedented monsoon this year will draw criticism from some. They got lucky, especially avoiding hail conditions; ideally, they should have delayed the start 45 minutes, sheltering runners beneath the stadium, and it would have avoided some of the questionable parts. I presume they did not have police support through the afternoon for the marathon route, so didn’t delay start……so if there’s something to learn for future years, that’s it. I actually enjoyed the storm.

This was by far my best race ever. Not a PR, due to age, but the best experience I’ve ever had out on the course. It was truly remarkable the number of spectators weathering the storm for us runners. Running through downtown in a torrential downpour, cheered by thousands of fans, as I headed for the hills, was more than enough adrenalin for me. Surreal.

A weekend when you can take in a Red’s game, visit Hofbrauhaus in Newport, watch the Kentucky derby while in Kentucky, and then run a memorable race. It happens the first Sunday in May. Thanks, Cincinnati.