Of all the half-marathons and marathons Iris Simpson Bush has run, she says one race has been the most fulfilling.
Bush has been a part of Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon since 1997. In 2002, she left a career in broadcast marketing to join the staff full-time.
She's had a variety of roles, but is now the president and chief executive officer of its parent organization, Pig Works.
"All of these other cities had their own marathons, so we decided our city needed our own," Bush said.
What started as one marathon has turned into a nonprofit that now has seven local races including the Flying Pig Marathon, Queen Bee Half Marathon, FCC3, Bockfest 5K, Hudepohl 14K, Fifty West Mile and TQL Beer Series.
The races vary from 1-mile walks and runs to full marathons, such as the Flying Pig, which is 2.6 miles. All of the donations benefit more than 300 local organizations.
Since its inception, the fundraising through the multiple races has raised more than $18 million, Bush said.
She only sees Pig Works growing in the future, and says the organization is constantly adapting to stay relevant.
"If you're of average health and wellness, you can do it. We do have people walking. We do have people in wheelchairs. Whatever their special need or circumstance, we try to provide a safe space where people can keep moving forward," Bush said.
A big part of the mission of Pig Works is health and wellness, and many of the donation recipients include Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Cincinnati Children's Home.
Amid the pandemic, a lot of the Pig Works events were canceled or postponed, but still Bush and other leaders emphasized that people need to keep moving. To get outside. To value your health.
Running is personal for Bush, too.
"It's amazing to me that in my own lifetime women were not permitted to run a marathon," Bush said.
Before 1972, women were barred from most marathons, including the Olympics.
Now, about half of the field at the Flying Pig is women, Bush said.
She is one of the women out running. Thirty-five years ago, she ran the Thanksgiving Day Race. It has remained her favorite, and she does it annually, alongside her family, and in addition to cooking a Thanksgiving meal for more than 20 guests.
In her life, she's run in three full marathons and has lost count of how many half-marathons she has completed over the years. These days, she isn't always running. Sometimes, it is walking, and she also regularly cycles.
Working for this organization has reminded Bush to stay healthy and give back to her community.
In her free time, she and husband Jim Bush, whom she met while serving together on the board of the Flying Pig Marathon, like to get out and go to as many Greater Cincinnati events as possible.
As a Cincinnati native, Bush wants to share her hometown with visitors.
"The Flying Pig brings in so many people to Cincinnati," Bush said. "It fills me with so much pride when people say they'd never considered coming to Cincinnati but they love the atmosphere we've created when they get here."
Iris Simpson Bush
Birthplace: East End
Current residence: Newport
Family: Husband, Jim Bush
Children: Jessica Esterkamp, Ashley Bush Patneaude, Chrissa Bush, Mike Piehler, Olga Piehler
Education: Purcell Marian High School and University of Cincinnati
Occupation: President and CEO at Pig Works
What she says
What inspires you to give back?
"I come from very, very humble beginnings. Through the years, I feel I was encouraged to have a strong worth ethic and that anything can happen. People supported me and I want to support them. So many people, when they cross that finish line, are in tears, and I don't know in joy or in pain. And it feels like we're supporting them in their goals. I am proud of my hometown."
What need in the community would you like to see addressed?
"Addressing homelessness really, really concerns me. During our races, we cover 36 miles of our community. My heart goes out to them, I don't want to see them on the streets. It's not a healthy or safe environment."
Who most influenced or inspired you to care about others?
"We went to parochial school at St. Stephen on Eastern Avenue and the nuns had a tremendous effect on my life. I remember being told on a regular basis that I was blessed and that I can do better. That I needed to be aware of all that possible. They were just encouraging, they affirmed me and made me feel special and made me feel capable of doing more."
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