There are two 10K races that have the same theme but take place in different places and at different times. The theme is to celebrate Scotland, but the races take place on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Scotland Run 10K is in New York in March, and The Great Scottish Run 10K in Glasgow in September.

The Scotland Run 10K takes place in Central Park in New York City every March and takes its name from the fact that it starts off a week of celebrations about Scotland. The Scotland Run 10K is an awesome event for the family, especially for the kids, as there are loads of booths serving great food, as well as music, dancers and face painters. Runners of all levels participate in The Scotland Run 10K, which is a loop run around Central Park. While you're running, you'll hear the beat of the drums and the wail of the bagpipes, so even if you're not Scottish, you'll feel like you are. Around 6,000 runners run in The Scotland Run 10K every year, making it best to register for the race beforehand, as registering on the day of the race gets incredibly hectic, and you don't want to miss the start time. The Scotland Run 10K also usually hands out some very nice gift bags, so make sure you get yours.

The Scotland Run 10K is one of the races that are pre-qualifiers for the ING New York Marathon, so there are always a lot of serious runners in it. But, don't worry, if you just want to have fun here, you can do that too.

Crossing the Atlantic and onto Scotland, The Great Scottish Run 10K takes place in September in Glasgow. Almost 20,000 runners run in this event, so it's huge and is actually the "biggest participation event" in Scotland. The race itself is relatively challenging, with some hills but a lot of flat ground. Proceeds from the Great Scottish Run 10K go to cancer research in the UK, but just for participating you'll get a nice T-shirt, a medal, certificate and a gift bag. You'll also get the satisfaction of knowing you did your part for cancer research.

If you want to enjoy the true Scottish experience, run in The Great Scottish Run 10K (there's also a half marathon if you want it a bit more of a challenge). But if crossing the Atlantic seems a bit too much, stay closer to home and run The Scotland Run 10K in New York. You'll still enjoy all the fun of Scotland without the long plane ride.

When was the last time you used the phrase "When pigs fly"? It is a question you have to ask yourself because these three little words can carry a lot of weight. They can help you tell another person that under no circumstances will he get his way. Here's what I mean . . .

Scenario #1
Husband: "Honey, can you spit shine my shoes for me?"
You: "When pigs fly!"

Scenario #2
Boss: "I know it's last minute, but can you work on Christmas day?'
You: "When pigs fly!"

Scenario #3
Kids: "Can I take your new car to the beach?"
You: "When pigs fly!"

Imagine yourself in each of these scenarios. Don't you feel empowered? Well, the emotions swirling through your body now are the same ones I imagine motivated the creator of a certain marathon. It is the Flying Pig Marathon. For over a decade, runners have been participating in this fun run, making it one of Cincinnati, Ohio's most coveted events.

Besides the weird name, the Flying Pig Marathon is unique because it incorporates so many types of runs. There is a wheelchair run, a pump-n-run for weightlifters, a kids' run and a four-person relay. In essence, there is something for everyone who wants to run a race. What is the grand prize? A big medal with a flying pig on it. However, if you don't cross the finish line first, you won't feel bad. The after parties are plentiful and full of people who are just happy that they made it through the event.

So, does the Flying Pig Marathon sound like a race you would want to run? (I bet you're not saying "When pigs fly!") If so, check out their Web site at www.flyingpigmarathon.com. The next race will occur on May 3, 2009, which gives you plenty of time to register. Don't miss out on a fun event. You can make it a part of your next family vacation.