Flying Pig Marathon Boasts Record Field for 13th Running

O'Connor, McDonaugh and James, Robillard win marathon and half-marathon titles; more than 30,000 runners and walkers in Cincinnati

By Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications

CINCINNATI - (May 1, 2011) - A record weekend registration of more than 30,000 runners and walkers highlighted the 13th running of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G. The two-day total of 30,408 participants included 5,083 for the marathon, 12,155 for the half-marathon and 3,044 for the relays, all running on Sunday.

The winner of the men's division of the Marathon was 24-year-old Kieran O'Connor from New York, New York in a personal best time of 2 hours, 28 minutes, 2 seconds. O'Connor, a 2009 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, won the Pig in only his second marathon ever. His first was the 2010 ING New York City Marathon, where he was the 13th American to finish. O'Connor, who is now in graduate studies at New York University, took the lead early and never was challenged.

Runner-up was 29-year-old David Riddle of Cincinnati in 2:31:15 and third was Rob Morwood, 36, of Otterbein, Ohio, at 2:35:54.

"One of the most important pieces of advice I've ever received in running a marathon is to be as calm as possible for as long as possible," said O'Connor, who ran the Pig with two classmates from Notre Dame who first got O'Connor into running while they all were in college.

In the women's division, the winner was 34-year-old Amy McDonaugh of Irmo, South Carolina, in 2:58:14. Second was Kerry Lee, 36, of Cincinnati in 3:02:01 followed by 25-year-old Carrie Kutzli of Grand Rapids, Michigan in third (3:03:44).

McDonaugh, who is legally blind, broke away from the women's leaders at mile 10 and held onto the lead to the finish. She is a member of the Columbia (S.C.) Running Club, whose coach and another member traveled to Cincinnati for Pig weekend. This was McDonaugh's fourth marathon and her first under three hours.

"My mom encouraged me to begin running when I was little," said McDonaugh. "Because of my eyesight I could never play sports, but I could do this."

In the Flying Pig Half Marathon, the men's winner was 18-year-old Ryan James of Belfast Maine, running his first half-marathon with more than a dozen teammates from Berry College in Georgia. He clocked a 1:13:26. Second was the 2004 winner of the Flying Pig Marathon, T.J. Lentz, 44, of Clifton in 1:13:48 with Enrick Garcia, 23, of Cincinnati third in 1:16:16.

"Our school is transitioning from NAIA to Division III," said James. "We can't compete in any NAIA championships, so our coach takes the team to marathons and half-marathons as our own championship. There are 17 of us from Berry on this trip."

Winning the women's division of the Half Marathon was 31-year-old Amy Robillard from Mason, Ohio, in 1:22:11. This was her second race in this area-the first was the Heart Mini-Marathon in March. Amy splits her time between training and taking care of her four-year old daughter and soon-to-be 14-month old son, Jameson, who had a bone marrow transplant a year ago.

"I run when I can-if I have time at home, I'll run for 45 minutes, or if I'm at the hospital with Jameson the nurses tell me where I can run for a few minutes," said Robillard. "The course itself was challenging, but there was great crowd support and you definitely get an adrenaline rush when they cheer you on."

Second was 29-year-old Rachel Bea from Kenwood, who's now run the half three times and the full twice, in 1:22:48. Third was Erica Schramm, 33, from Las Vegas, Nevada, who ran her first Pig in 1:25:56.

The Flying Pig Marathon Weekend powered by P&G kicked off Saturday morning with record registration for the Toyota 10K and Tri State Running Company 5K, and some familiar faces returning to this year's competition.

The 2011 Flying Pig weekend began with 2,442 registered for the Toyota 10K. The winner, Derrick Butler from Cincinnati, finished in a time of 32:46. In the women's division, the winner was Heather Backer from Crestview Hills, Kentucky in 39:18

In the Tri State Running Company 5K, which had a field of 3,616, last year's 2010 Marathon winner, Brian List, won the 5K in a time of 16:04. In the women's division, the winner was Becky Clark of Sayler Park in 18:23. The 2005 winner of the Flying Pig Marathon, Alison Delgado, came in third place in the Flying Pig 5K.

Alison, who won the Pig as Alison Bedingfield, entered the 5K after six months of rehabilitation after she was hit by a car while cycling. The story of her recovery, with the help of her husband, Tim, has become nationally-known, with features on NBC's "Today" show and other national outlets. Alison and Tim were the honorary starters for Sunday's Flying Pig Marathon.

Other events on this opening day of Flying Pig weekend include the Flying Pig Kids' Marathon 26th mile, the Flying Piglet and Pampers Diaper Dash.

13th Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
Cincinnati, OH, Sunday, May 1, 2011

MEN
1) Kieran O'Connor (NY), 2:28:02
2) David Riddle (OH), 2:31:15
3) Rob Morwood (OH), 2:35:54

WOMEN
1) Amy McDonaugh (SC), 2:58:14
2) Kerry Lee (OH), 3:02:01
3) Carrie Kutzli (MI), 3:03:44

7th Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

MEN
1) Ryan James, 18, ME, 1:13:26
2) T.J. Lentz, 44, OH, 1:13:48
3) Enrick Garcia (OH), 1:16:16

WOMEN
1) Amy Robillard (OH), 1:22:11
2) Rachel Bea (OH), 1:22:48
3) Erica Schramm (NV), 1:25:56

Deeper results and more at: www.flyingpigmarathon.com 

Special thanks to
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director.
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
http://www.runningusa.org