Patient Stories

“It’s Cincinnati. It’s the Pig. It’s the people,” Jean says. “This is my hometown. I know the hills. I know the crowds. And I celebrate it.”

• Jean has been running for nearly 50 years and hasn’t missed a single Flying Pig Marathon since it began, earning her a place among the race’s elite Streakers. Even in 1999, when a broken ankle forced her to walk the very first Pig, she showed up.
• In 2025, knee trouble threatened Jean’s streak—but not her resolve. With UC Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, she committed to surgery, recovery, and smart training to get safely back to the start line.
• As the 2026 Flying Pig Marathon approaches, Jean is preparing once again focused on staying healthy, moving forward, honoring a streak built on showing up.

As the official healthcare provider of the Flying Pig Marathon, UC Health supports runners throughout the tristate. With orthopaedic providers in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we’re here to keep you moving forward. Call UC Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at 513-475-8690 or schedule online.

Part of the Pig’s Legacy

Jean is a two-time patient of UC Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and a proud member of the Flying Pig Marathon’s most elite and loyal group: the Streakers. Since the very first Flying Pig Marathon in 1999, Jean has been there every single year – either running or walking – never missing a start line.

Over her lifetime, Jean has completed 172 marathons, has run or walked one in every state, and has taken home the title at one marathon, and recorded a personal best of 3:19:09, finishing fifth overall in Columbus in 1993.

But the Flying Pig remains her favorite.

“It’s the history. The volunteers. The fans lining the streets. It’s home.”

A Cincinnati Native, Through and Through

Born and raised in Cincinnati and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Jean’s connection to UC Health runs just as deep as her love for the Flying Pig. Over the years, UC Health has cared for multiple members of her family, including saving the lives of her father and nephew through UC Health Air Care & Mobile Care.

“That kind of expertise and attention stays with you,” Jean says. “UC Health does it all. It’s a teaching hospital, a Level I trauma center, and they’re there for you, day or night.”

Where Her Running Story Began

Jean didn’t start running as a lifelong athlete. After having her daughter, she gained weight and struggled to feel like herself again. One day, flipping through a women’s magazine, she read a simple suggestion: Get out and run. The endorphins will make you feel better.

“So, I went downstairs, found an old pair of tennis shoes, and ran half a mile,” she says. “I was hooked.”

Running quickly became her outlet. It was her therapy and her reset button. Over time, it became something more.

“Running is a lot like life,” Jean says. “You never know what you’re going to face. It helps you respond to tension, frustration, and heartbreak. And it’s an equalizer. At the start line, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; you’re just there to do your best.”

1999: The Year That Changed Everything

On Feb. 13, 1999, just months before the first Flying Pig Marathon, Jean slipped on a patch of ice after a run and critically fractured her ankle.

“I knew I was in trouble,” she says.

She insisted the ambulance take her to UC Health. A UC Health orthopaedic surgeon met her immediately, and Jean was in surgery that same day. She was told she would run again, but only if she committed fully to her recovery.

The Flying Pig Marathon debuted on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1999, starting at Fountain Square and finishing at Union Terminal. Jean wasn’t ready to run competitively, but she made a decision that would define her legacy.

“I didn’t want pride to get in the way,” she says. “So, I walked.”

That first walk, lasting 6 hours and 10 minutes, made her a Streaker.

Running With Purpose

Jean wears the same singlet at every marathon. She’s worn it for 27 years.

Originally, she ran for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, assigned to honor a young man named Justin Ashcraft, who was battling cancer. Tragically, Justin passed away the very moment Jean broke her ankle in 1999.

“I’ve worn that singlet ever since,” she says. “I’ll be buried in it. I run for him.”

A New Setback, and a Familiar Place for Care

More than two decades after her ankle injury, Jean faced another challenge. One morning, she woke up with a stiff knee. When she tried to run, it locked up after just 100 feet.

An initial evaluation elsewhere showed nothing on X-ray, and she received a cortisone shot she didn’t want. The pain continued. An MRI later revealed a torn meniscus and shredded cartilage. She was told she could walk and eventually run without surgery.

“I didn’t accept that,” Jean says.

She brought her imaging to another orthopaedist, who told her plainly: Get off it now. You need surgery. Wanting to stay close to home, Jean turned to UC Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and David Bernholt, MD.

Trusting the Right Surgeon

Dr. Bernholt’s credentials immediately stood out – his training at Johns Hopkins and Case Western Reserve, strong patient reviews, and recommendations through the Ohio State Medical Association.

“I needed someone competent, experienced, and who would actually listen,” Jean says. “And he did.”

On Nov. 21, 2025, Jean underwent knee surgery. The procedure went smoothly, and her recovery exceeded expectations.

“I was in very little pain afterwards,” she says. “And I did exactly what I was told.”

Dr. Bernholt personally reviewed her surgical photos with her after the procedure and explained everything before discharge.

“Doctors don’t usually do that,” Jean says. “That mattered.”

Eyes on the Finish Line, Again

As May approaches, Jean is once again preparing for the Flying Pig Marathon. Whether she runs or walks, the goal remains the same: keep the streak alive.

“I’m excited,” she says. “I just hope it’s not raining, and not six hours of hell.”

Crossing that finish line will mark more than another race. It will be a full-circle moment – returning to UC Health more than 25 years after her first life-altering injury, still moving forward.

A Message for Other Runners

Jean’s advice to anyone facing injury or setback is simple:

“Don’t rush. Find the right medical team. And listen to them.”

For her, UC Health has always been that team.

“They’ve been there when it mattered most,” she says. “This journey has been wonderful…not because it was easy, but because it made me go deep, accept what I had to accept, and overcome what I could.”

And on race day, as she always does, Jean Schmidt will show up wearing the same singlet, honoring the same promise, and proving that some streaks are simply unbreakable.

Trusted Care for Cincinnati Area Runners

As the official healthcare provider of the Flying Pig Marathon, UC Health is proud to support runners across Greater Cincinnati, whether you’re training for race day, lining up at the start, or focusing on recovery afterward. From Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine to day-of-race medical care and long-term health planning, our teams are here to help you move safely toward your goals, this season and for years to come. Call us at 513-475-8690.