She's been an important part of the Flying Pig for 20 years, but she's never run the race

Erica Heskamp makes it to the finish line of the Flying Pig marathon every year, but she's never actually run the race. Instead, she's spent the last two decades as a every runner's cheerleader: A tireless, unstoppable support system in a 25-pound inflatable pig suit. "It's a lot of work," she said. "We're there around 5:30 in the morning and leave after the last runner finishes, no matter what. It can be a 10-12-hour day" Heskamp is a marathon runner herself when she's not providing hugs to sweaty athletes at the finish line -- she doesn't mind, she said, because she's sweaty, too -- and she trains for the physical ordeal of cheering for the Pig much like others train to run it. "I eat lots of carbs and drink lots of water," she said. "Sometimes I'll go into the medical tent, ask them for some Advil and cool down, but you never want to miss someone come across the finish line." She had originally intended to work at a water stop in normal clothes when she called in to volunteer for the first-ever Flying Pig Marathon. When organizers asked if she would wear a pig costume, she accepted, thinking it would be like most mascot costumes: Hot, maybe, but with a head that fit over her own and concealed her identity.