Pig Works, the umbrella organization of the Flying Pig Marathon, Queen Bee Half Marathon and other events, held a formal groundbreaking of its new Coughlin Campus offices last week.
Located in East Walnut Hills at 792 E McMillan Street, the 17,000 square foot campus will not only provide offices for members of the organization, but will be a meeting place for runners, for the community and for activities that will energize the neighborhood.
“The Flying Pig instills us with pride here in the Tri-State region, but also helps brand and communicate the values and priorities and principles of our community on a global stage. After all, it was ranked the best marathon in the country, and that doesn’t just happen. It requires a world-class organization behind it, like Pig Works,” said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval at the event. “But what is really inspiring for me about today is that Pig Works takes its place next to so many other nonprofit and arts organizations who are continuing to invest in our historic Walnut Hills neighborhood and … completely reshape the future of this beloved community.”
The campus is named after Bob Coughlin, the founder of the Flying Pig Marathon. Coughlin is also the founder of Paycor, Inc., and the honorary chairman of the organization’s current $12 million capital campaign.
Mark Ramler, the chairman of the board at Pig Works, expects the campus to become “a vital community hub” to raise the stature of the organization’s events even further.
“We are very proud to have this facility here in Walnut Hills … and to our partners, donors and of course the participants of Pig Works events, who have over nearly three decades made the pig one of the top-running festivals not only in the country but in the world,” Ramler said.
Doug Olberding, CEO of Pig Works, told CityBeat the campus is “more than a place for us to just go to work and keep our stuff,” and pointed out the building’s proximity to the Flying Pig itself.
“Our course runs through Gilbert Avenue, right over there… it’s almost a driveway to our start and finish line,” Olberding said. “This is going to be a place for running groups to gather to begin and end their training runs, and then when they finish up, they can go over to Esoteric or Fireside or any of the lovely restaurants that are here in in the area and enjoy the neighborhood … We are going to activate the neighborhood, bring energy and continue the energy that’s already happening here in Walnut Hills.”
For more information on Pig Works, visit the organization’s official website.
Ethan Bloomfield contributed reporting to this article.
