We are less than three months and counting until the 20th Annual Flying Pig Marathon. Now is the time of year thousands run to the frozen sidewalks and start training for the race that is part of the fabric of the Tri-State.

Executive Director of the Flying Pig, Iris Simpson Bush, calls the Pig an "iconic" event for the community. The Flying Pig is expecting a record number of participants in 2018. Early projections show possibly more than 42,000 run/walkers that weekend from the 1 mile, 5K, 10K half and full marathon.

That means there are 42,000 stories to tell leading up to the Flying Pig Marathon. This is the place for those stories.

Iris Simpson Bush's running story starts at WCPO TV. She was the sales manager in the middle of a successful career when she found out a marathon was coming back to Cincinnati. Simpson Bush was instrumental in convincing her fellow managers we should broadcast the race on 9 On Your Side. Two years later she left WCPO to be the executive director of the marathon.

"It's grown and we have become an icon in our community," said Simpson Bush from her office. "We have developed a national reputation which means a lot for our city."

Badwater Ultra-Marathon winner and Cincinnati resident Harvey Lewis agrees. "I’m a streaker and have run all 19 marathons since 1999," Lewis said. "It’s been amazing to see the race and city evolve over that time growing to be one of the country's true running Meccas." Lewis should know.

He has finished 73 official marathons while running in 92 countries, on all continents. The Flying Pig is always on his list. "Flying Pig Marathon is hands down my favorite. The Pig is superbly organized, travels through historic neighborhoods with enthusiasm and the most fun theme," Lewis said. "The race is imaginative; possibilities are limitless for everyone in the marathon where Pigs fly."

2017 winner and Tri-State resident Kerry Lee agrees. "It's day that our Queen City comes together as a community to run, walk, race, cheer and support." Last year she was greeted at the finish line by many of the students she teaches and coaches at Anderson High School. "It's a day to experience hard work being poured into a goal."

The Flying Pig has something for everybody. It has grown from its start as a marathon only - to also offer a half marathon, 10K, 5K, kids races, a 1 miler and even events for dogs.

The growth Lewis mentioned has been under the watchful eye of Simpson Bush. The brand has added the Beer Series http://www.runbeerseries.com/#/main and The Queen Bee half marathon in the fall. http://queenbeehalf.com

Simpson Bush's Marathon day is not like the rest of us. She lines up at the start line. "To this day at the start line, my knees shake and a say a prayer for their safe return," she revealed.

She then heads to the finish line to greet every participant. "The most emotional moments happen right there at the finish line," Simpson Bush said. "The last person to cross the finish line brings tears to my eyes."

Simpson Bush would participate in the Flying Pig relay on marathon day in the early years, but the veteran of multiple marathons admits one day she would like to experience the event "like everybody else."

She actually runs the Pig a week before. She covers the full 26.2 course with a couple of friends. "I always have a lot of people to run with," Simpson Bush said. "Several local running groups divide themselves up into relays and they run with me."

Her family operates as the support team following them around as a mobile aid station with water, bananas or anything else she might need.

While running without the famous support along the route, she is well aware of the type of marathon she has helped create. "From the beginning we felt if you want to do a marathon and you want to do all of that training," she said from her office. "We want do all we can to get you from the start to the finish."

Simpson Bush has finished three official marathons and countless week-before Flying Pigs. She has participated in 32 Thanksgiving Day Races, "I never miss that," she said with a smile. It is her love of the city and the event she has helped mold that keeps her going.

Her work with the Flying Pig is nationally recognized. In November, Road Race Management honored her as the National Race Director of the Year. It is an award handed out for more than 30 years and Simpson Bush is the fifth woman to win it.

"I was shocked. It's a big deal to me," said Simpson Bush, recalling the honor. "This award goes to the staff support, board support and all of the committed people that really help to make this a special event."

While Simpson Bush has been honored for what the Flying Pig has grown into over 20 years, he is also looking into what the brand might become. The staff and board of the marathon are looking into ways to grow.

"We ask, how do you stay relevant?" Simpson Bush said. "How do we give the participants, the sponsors and the community at large what it wants from its hometown marathon?"

Simpson Bush would not reveal whats ahead in the next 20 years of the Flying Pig, but did admit to looking in endurance events involving multi-sport and trail running.

"We are not ready to announce anything," Simpson Bush said. "We are looking at other markets and the events they are doing. We might see some different events here through the year."

In a way, the Pig and Simpson Bush have grown together; into a running story of 20 years about the love of running and our community.