'I've been given a God-given ability.' Jason Salyer wins 2023 men's Flying Pig Marathon

Three down, three to go.

Tipp City native Jason Salyer is the winner of the 2023 Flying Pig Marathon in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 10 seconds.

Just two weeks after winning Toledo's Glass City Marathon in 2:20.27, the 32-year-old broke the tape again, winning the third marathon on his quest to win the six Ohio marathon majors (Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and the Air Force Marathon). He won the Air Force Marathon in September 2022 with a time of 2:27.22.

"I've been given a God-given ability and I want to maximize potential, and in order to be an extraordinary runner, extraordinary athlete, you have to challenge yourself," Salyer said.

The 25th iteration of the race began after a short bout of rain on Sunday morning. After a few miles of clear skies, a downpour started and race organizers ordered a shelter-in-place for all runners.

"Everybody knew the weather is gonna be pretty awful today going into it so you just had to embrace it," Salyer said.

Flying Pig women's marathon: Caitlin Keen gets a rainy 3rd Flying Pig victory

Will Cadwell, who finished in second place in 2022, opened up a gap on three other runners as they passed through O'Bryonville and Hyde Park.

After running alone for a considerable amount of time, Salyer ran down Cadwell and passed him as the two started onto Columbia Parkway. As they continued onto Kellogg Avenue, Salyer opened up a gap on Cadwell, holding him off for the final five miles. Cadwell finished second in 2:27:28 and Jack Randall, the winner in 2017 and 2019, finished third in 2:28:13.

"I wasn't quite sure I was going to catch him, so I just kept repeating positive phrases to myself like, 'Let's go. You got this. Don't settle,'" Salyer said.

After crossing the finish line, Salyer received his medal and laurel wreath from race director Iris Simpson-Bush before sharing an embrace with his father, Jim.

"It means a lot for them to be here, be out here in this weather and to be here to cheer me on when it matters," Salyer said.

Salyer's time is eight seconds faster than Zac Holtkamps's winning time of 2:27:18 in 2022. According to Flying Pig records, it is the eighth-fastest time in men's marathon history.

Seth Elking wins the Flying Pig Paycor Half Marathon

University of Cincinnati sophomore Seth Elking crossed the finish line of the Paycor Half Marathon in 1:10.56, just ahead of Eric Gruenbacher and Chris Porst. The three finished less than one minute apart.

"I feel pretty good. Just exciting. A lot of adrenaline right now so I feel great," Elking said.

Despite the driving rain causing heavy, flooded shoes, Elking saw the weather as a refreshing source of energy. The rain, combined with the energy from the crowd, and his training during the track and field season, gave Elking the push he needed to outlast Gruenbacher and Porst.

"I pushed through the hills pretty hard, and I think that's where I lost them," Elking said.

Elking's time is the fastest half marathon since Samuel Montclair broke the tape in 1:09:52 in 2021.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Flying Pig Marathon winner Jason Salyer gets 3rd Ohio major victory