The Flying Pig Marathon: A Celebration of Cincinnati Culture and Community

Posted on May 5, 2024 by Diana Louiso

Cincinnati is buzzing with excitement this weekend as many prepare for and run the annual Flying Pig Marathon which has become an iconic and highly-anticipated event since its inception in 1999. We’ve culled a list of 10 fun and interesting facts about the epic event that everyone’s been talking about!

Origin: The marathon’s name comes from our fair city’s nickname, “Porkopolis,” due to its historical association with the pork industry (yum!). The term “flying pig” also references the idea of doing something impossible or unlikely- in this case, running a marathon!
Inception: The Flying Pig Marathon was first held 1999. It was created by Bob Coughlin, who wanted to showcase Cincinnati’s neighborhoods and provide a fun, inclusive event for runners of all levels.
Races: The marathon offers multiple race options, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 4-person relay. There is also a “PigAbilities” race for participants with disabilities to run, walk, or roll at their own pace; a “Flying Piglet” race for little ones aged 5 and under, and a “Flying Fur” race for dogs and their owners!
Courses: The courses wind through Cincinnati’s scenic riverfront, downtown, and historic neighborhoods, providing participants with a unique and memorable experience. The Pig is also known for a number of very challenging hills along the way, with a total elevation gain of over 1,000 feet! (That could make you breathless just thinking about it!)
Community Spirit: One of the most remarkable aspects of the Flying Pig Marathon is its massive community support and the strong spirit of belonging it offers. With over 40,000 race participants, more than 8,000 volunteers, and approximately 100,000 spectators, you are bound to feel a part of something much larger than yourself!

DL MoneyMatters Senior Accountant, Sarah Frick, fondly recalls her first Flying Pig Half Marathon 10 years ago. She shares that the energy, support, and excitement of the spectators, holding their handmade signs and shouting words of encouragement, made the race quite an emotional experience for her!

Local Business and Economic Impact: A 2023 study by Burke Inc. and Xavier University found that last year’s race weekend generated $22 million in economic impact for the city! That’s nothing to “snort” at! (Sorry! Pig pun alert!)
Charitable Impact: The Flying Pig Marathon has a significant charitable impact, raising funds and awareness for various local organizations and causes. Over the years, the Pig has raised more than $18 million for over 250 charities supporting community initiatives, health programs, youth development, and many other deserving causes!
Flying Pig Mascot: The marathon’s mascot, a flying pig named “Pigasus,” embodies the event’s whimsical spirit. Pigasus can be seen at various locations along the race routes, offering encouragement to participants.
Unique Features: The marathon is known for its quirky features, such as “flying pigs” along the course, themed water stations, and entertainment provided by local bands and performers. These elements add to the festive atmosphere of the event.
Celebrations: The Flying Pig Marathon is not just about running; it’s also a celebration of Cincinnati’s culture, food, and music. The weekend-long event typically includes a variety of festivities, including an expo, pasta dinner, and post-race party.

Overall, the Flying Pig Marathon has grown into one of the premier running events in the United States, attracting participants from across the country and beyond. Its unique charm, community spirit, and scenic courses continue to make it a favorite among runners of all ages and abilities. Today, let’s celebrate the runners, volunteers, businesses, and supporters of this incredible event that is a source of great pride for our magnificent city!

For more information, photos, or to follow your favorite runner, visit the Flying Pig’s official website at: https://flyingpigmarathon.com/

The Rise of the Remote Worker

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Diana Louiso

As 2020 rolled around, rumors that people in Wuhan, China were getting sick and dying from some sort of new infectious disease was spreading as fast as the virus itself. Before the worldwide pandemic began to fizzle, almost 107 million Americans had contracted Covid-19 and and 1.2 million, sadly, lost their lives.

The American workforce also lost something…the will to commute to the office. According to one economist, even though the pandemic is officially over the USA, ¼ of workers have no desire to continue working remotely from home. Period. They want the tools and teamwork, are better able to focus on work without the distractions of home life, and really love being in-person.

This is good news for the bosses and owners who understand that workplace dynamics encourage socialization and community building, which in turn builds better teams and produces higher output. Plus there are the considerations of the investment in millions of square feet of office space in downtowns and office centers in places like Cincinnati, and the complication of measuring productivity and ROI of remote workers.

Small businesses, like those we service, for the most part, have returned to pre-pandemic work routines earlier than the large corporations. The New York Times reported that in March of 2023, 12 percent of U.S. workers were still fully remote, about 60 percent were fully in office, and 28 percent were in a hybrid custom arrangement.

Remote workers are especially valuable in technology, marketing, accounting/finance, project management, medical/health, recruiting, and customer service. If you or someone you know is looking for a “remote worker” position in the Cincinnati area, check out Built In, the online community for startups and tech companies.

Doing Business in Cincinnati

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Diana Louiso

Owning a small business in Cincinnati is a great decision! We enjoy a consistent growing economy while maintaining a relatively low cost of living. This stable business environment enables startups to focus on their mission, customers, and workers.

Did you know that in the U.S. nearly 1 in 5 business startups fail within the first year, and about 50% after five years? But Cincinnati’s rate of success for startups after 5 years is a remarkable 74%. Some of that success comes from the meteoric rise of tech and medical startups in the Queen City, as well as the Cincinnati business culture coupled with a commitment to venture development firms like CincyTech.

In 2022, Ohio’s minimum wage rose $.50/hour to $9.30 (the federal minimum wage is $7.25). The District of Columbia tops the list at $15.20 while Wyoming takes the bottom slot at $5.15.

Only 18 states have a lower rate than Ohio. See the chart »

Local colleges and universities contribute by turning out well-educated potential employees who choose to stay in Cincinnati because of its family-friendly neighborhoods, outstanding schools, parks and cultural amenities, food and dining, major sports teams, and down-home midwestern values.

Small businesses contribute by supporting other small businesses with similar dreams, values, and goals.

If you are a loyal customer of DLMoney Matters, thank you! If you are still on the fence about whether to offload the anxiety, fears, and burdens of the time you spend on financial, tax, and accounting matters, get to know us. And please, refer us to your friends.