Study finds social impacts of Flying Pig Marathon
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (FOX19)- Multi-year research conducted by professors at Northern Kentucky University and Xavier University has found that Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon has had positive influences on the city's social assets, including image, local pride, social networks and support of social causes.
Their findings have new relevance and meaning in light of the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon.
Dr. Julie Cencula Olberding, associate professor and director of NKU's Master of Public Administration program, collaborated on the research with her husband, Dr. Douglas Olberding, chair of the Sport Studies Department at Xavier University. They collected and analyzed data from surveys of local participants in 2002, local and nonlocal participants in 2008 and volunteers in 2012. Some of the key findings from their article, which will be published in the International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management, include:
