Off and Running

Pig Works, the parent organization of the Flying Pig Marathon, today awarded 14 scholarships to area high school track and cross country athletes at its annual Scholarship Breakfast at Music Hall. The breakfast is part of the celebration of the 26th running of Flying Pig Marathon weekend, which will be May 3 through 5.

“This is the second year we have been able to host the scholarship breakfast event,” said Iris Simpson Bush, CEO of Pig Works. “Because of the generosity of the Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation, we were able increase the number of student athletes who will benefit from these awards.”

The annual scholarships, totaling $20,000 ($5,000 a year), are awarded equally to male and female students who are members of their high school’s cross country or track and field teams and who demonstrate dedication, teamwork and service to their schools and communities.

The athletes and their high schools are:

  •  Lily Diebold, Colerain High School

  • Ben Fahnestock, Mariemont High School

  • Mary Hallgarth, South Dearborn High School

  • Joanna Hamilton, Felicity Franklin High School

  • Brayden Holland, Oak Hills High School

  • Hannah Hurlburt, Springboro High School

  • Dominic Jackson, St. Xavier High School

  • Adam Kolar, Villa Madonna Academy

  •  Alex Navarro, Roger Bacon High School

  • Keira O’Cull, Madeira High School

  • Rojina Rai, Aiken High School

  • Nathan Ruth, Bishop Brossart High School

  •  Kinsey Sullivan, St. Ursula Academy

  • Marquez Whitehead, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

Also presented at the breakfast was the Spirit of the Flying Pig award, presented to the Flying Pig Medical team, led by UC Health’s Dr. Jon Divine. The medical team from multiple healthcare systems across the region, are at our events throughout the weekend, making sure every participant is safe and taken care of immediately, if necessary.

The scholarships are made possible through the Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation and Skyline Chili, among additional donors, including Steve Haussler, Peter Klekamp, Gary Mitchell, Kyle Murray, Scott Miller, Oxford Financial Group, The Paul and Sue Verst Foundation and members of the Pig Works Board of Directors.

“Our goal for The Flying Pig Scholars program is to ensure the sustainability of the scholarship program while allowing others to join in supporting lifelong runners who start competing in high school and are good students and citizens,” said Bob Coughlin, who is also the founder of the Flying Pig Marathon.

Also this year, the Coughlin Foundation committed a $500,000 donation for the scholarship program to honor the history of the marathon and to ensure the marathon continues to grow and support the next generation of runners.

 To learn more or donate to the scholarship fund, visit flyingpigmarathon.com/get-involved/high-school-scholarship.