History of Flying Pig Marathon in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 4, 2025

The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, an annual 26.2-mile race held the first Sunday of May in Cincinnati, Ohio, was founded by Robert J. Coughlin and first run in 1999. It is the third-largest first-time marathon in the United States. In 2008, the marathon had nearly 5000 finishers, and total participation for all weekend events exceeded 30,408 in 2011. The race starts and finishes downtown and crosses into Northern Kentucky. It is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon.

1988: Bicentennial Commons Park Built

In 1988, Cincinnati built Bicentennial Commons park to celebrate the city's 200th anniversary and commissioned Andrew Leicester to create a sculpture featuring winged pigs, contributing to the city embracing the "Flying Pigs" as a symbol.

1999: Elly Rono Wins Inaugural Marathon

In 1999, Elly Rono of Kenya and the University of Southern Indiana, won the men's division of the first Flying Pig Marathon.

1999: First Flying Pig Marathon

In 1999, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon was first held, founded by Robert J. Coughlin. This first race became the 3rd-largest first-time marathon in the United States.

2002: Female Course Record Set

In 2002, Tatyana Pozdnyakova of Ukraine set the female course record for the Flying Pig Marathon with a finishing time of 2:34:35.

2006: Male Course Record Set

In 2006, Cecil Franke set the male course record for the Flying Pig Marathon with a finishing time of 2:20:25.

2008: Marathon Participation

In 2008, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon had nearly 5000 finishers.

2011: Amy McDonaugh Wins Women's Division

In 2011, legally blind runner Amy McDonaugh won the women's division of the Flying Pig Marathon without a guide, finishing with a time of 2:58:14.

2011: Increased Weekend Participation

In 2011, total participation for all Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend events exceeded 30,408.

2020: Race Cancellation Due to Pandemic

In 2020, the Flying Pig Marathon was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Registrants were given the option to run virtually or transfer their entry to a later year.