One of our biggest local events is taking place this weekend — The Flying Pig Marathon. Whether you’re participating in the full marathon, half marathon, relay, or just a spectator, it’s an amazing weekend for the city!

This year the race is being sponsored “powered by P&G.” There will also be a special guest: Ali Vincent, the first female winner of NBC’s Biggest Loser, will be walking the half marathon with other participants.

Other special racers include a group of recovering addicts from the City Gospel Mission — these individuals are building confidence and improving their health by training together to participate in the Pig. Read more about this group here.

Last year’s Pig had the largest field in its history with a record 22,149 participants. It was a great way for the event to celebrate its 10th anniversary. And again this year there is a great line-up of activities.

Check out this jam-packed schedule of events for the weekend:
Friday, May 1, 2009

12:00 Noon to 7:00 p.m.		P&G Health & Fitness ExpoPacket pick-up for all events – Free! Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
12:00 Noon to 2PM and 4PM to 8PM		Pre-Race Lifting for Lord’s Gym Pump N’ Run at Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio (5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon Divisions).
Saturday, May 2, 2009
6:30 a.m.		Registration and packet pick-up for all events including Lord’s Gym Pump N’ Run and Hope and Possibility 5K
8:00 a.m. Start		Toyota 10K Race including Lord”s Gym Pump N’ Run
9:30 a.m.		Toyota 10K including Pump n” Run 10K awards ceremony at Yeatman”s Cove lawn stage
9:35 a.m. Start		Ernst & Young Flying Pig Kids” Marathon One Mile
10:15 a.m. Start		Fleet Feet Sports 5K including Lord’s Gym Pump N’ Run, Hope and Possibility and Walmart Family Fun Festival at Yeatman”s Cove
11:00 a.m. Start		The Flying Piglet Kids” Fun Run, featuring the Pampers Diaper Dash at Yeatman”s Cove
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.		P&G Health & Fitness Expo Packet pick-up – Free! Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
11:45 a.m.		Fleet Feet Sports 5K overall including Pump n” Run awards at Yeatman”s Cove lawn stage
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.		Pre-race Lifting for Lord’s Gym Pump N’ Run Full and Half Marathons at Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.		Flying Pig Pasta “Pig-Out” sponsored by Duke Energy and Walmart on Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine Streets
Sunday, May 3, 2009
6:25 a.m. Start		Wheelchair Start
6:30 a.m. Start		Flying Pig Marathon, PNC Half Marathon, City Dash 4-Person Relay and Business Courier and McGohan Brabender Corporate Relay Start, including Pump N’ Run
10:00 a.m.		PNC marathon awards ceremony at Yeatman”s Cove lawn stage
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.		Post Race Party at Yeatman”s Cove lawn stage
12:00 noon		Marathon, Old Spice High Endurance Mile to the Finish, Mr. Clean Your Clock, City Dash Relay, and Pump N’ Run awards ceremony at Yeatman”s Cove

Pre-registration for the race is closed, but late sign-up is available at the events.

Be aware of road closings and big crowds around the city, especially Sunday. If you’re planning on watching the race in person, there’s some helpful instructions you should read.

The website, www.flyingpigmarathon.com, has all the info you need if you’re running in the race or heading downtown to watch.

You can even sign up to track your favorite runner with their special messaging system. You can sign up for the alerts online.

Best of luck to all of this year’s participants! Let’s hope for a great day for the 11th annual Flying Pig Marathon!

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