Commemorating 20 Years on the Run
The Flying Pig Marathon and Rookwood Pottery are two Cincinnati icons founded on the principle of dedication to our craft, respectively through running and artistry, continually inspired by the history and spirit of our community.
In 1996 Bob Coughlin (Paycor founder) just finished an 8-mile run with his training group through Cincinnati, ending their training session on the rooftop deck of local staple, O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill. Here, Bob mapped out the course of the future Flying Pig Marathon on a cocktail napkin. 20 years later, the event has gone national, inspiring and engaging a community of participants, sponsors, volunteers and spectators. Rookwood Pottery is honored to be one of them, teaming up for the creation of the first Coughlin Cup (named after Bob), which was awarded to the male and female first-place finishers, Aaron Viets and Caitlin Keen.
From left to right: Iris Bush Simpson (Executive Director, Flying Pig Marathon), Micah Carroll (Rookwood Pottery, CEO & President), Aaron Viets (male winner), Caitlin Keen (female winner), Bob Coughlin (Paycor, CEO and Flying Pig Marathon, Founder).
For this momentus milestone, Rookwood also created The Flying Pig Marathon Mug and Flying Pig Marathon Ornament, both of which contributed proceeds to the Flying Pig Marathon and the charities they support. These collaboration items feature the Flying Pig and an homage to 20 Years Running, a truly special commemoration of a marathon so iconic to the city.
The ornament has the pig outline on a pink background, specially crafted by Rookwood’s glaze chemists to match the marathon’s “piggy pink” and on the reverse side showcases the mission of the Flying Pig.
The handmade, hand-dipped ceramic mug celebrates Rookwood’s artistic talent, utilizing the skills of three in-house artists with the form created by Morgan Willenbrink, handle design by Zach Sabatelli, and badge design by Mary Guanciale.
“To have such a Cincinnati treasure as the Rookwood Pottery Co. produce keepsakes for our anniversary is such an honor. These will be treasured by participants and their families for years to come.” – Iris Bush Simpson (Executive Director, Flying Pig Marathon)
Interested in your own Rookwood collaboration?
