Will you be in Cincinnati this Saturday, June 28th? If so, you should experience the Hyde Park Blast, the most fun race event in the city all year.
Yeah, I said it. It's better than Flying Pig weekend, better than the Thanksgiving Day Race, better than the Heart Mini 15k.
Why?
Simple: because it puts all levels of endurance sports (well, cycling and running) on showcase through a block-party-like atmosphere.
The day starts in the morning with a 4-mile run/walk. Who doesn't like road races? Trick question: everyone loves them. Especially in Hyde Park. Everyone runs in Hyde Park, and you can bet just about everyone will be participating in the run that morning.
The run is followed by a series of kids races, ranging in distance from .1 to .5 miles. Nothing like getting 'em started young.
At noon the even switches gears (pun intended) as the cycling races start. From noon until 8 pm, there are a series of crits of decreasing category (which means increasing speed and competition), eventually culminating in the women's professional race at 7 pm. I don't know much about cycling, but these races are still exciting to watch...especially since crits are crazy. A huge peloton of riders whipping around 90 and 180 degree corners on a less-than-mile looped course makes for some sweet racing. Plus, being a neighborhood event, you're bound to spot neighbors, friends, and coworkers racing.
Soon after the cycling races begin, so too does the block party, with bands, beer, and booze (redundant, yes; but every party needs it) around the Square. Hang out, enjoy summer, and cheer on the riders as they whip around the u-turn trough the Square.
The event really hits its stride (pun intended again) at 8 pm, with the men's and women's Elite 5k going off together. So maybe I'm a little biased, but I think this is the best race of the day. It's an intimate race (probably no more than 30 runners total) on a small course (looping 4 times on the crit course), which makes it very tactical and very spectator-friendly. Prize money six people deep just adds to the intrigue. This race is unlike any I've ever done: a road race with a small, fast field and an intimate fan setting, where the course is walled with spectators cheering us all on. Featuring many of the top local and regional runners, this one really puts the sport on showcase.
[Shameless plug for the spectators: cheer on the local guy in sunglasses and Fleet Feet singlet! That's me!]
One elite race is followed by another, as the men's professional cycling crit follows the run at 8:30. This race in NUTS! These guys are so fast and so technical, it's amazing. Add in the overall prize money and mid-race incentives, and the race often yo-yos with an endless series of tactical attacks and lulls, making for an exciting and unpredictable spectacle.
So...are you going to the Hyde Park Blast? Because you should be.
Yeah, I said it. It's better than Flying Pig weekend, better than the Thanksgiving Day Race, better than the Heart Mini 15k.
Why?
Simple: because it puts all levels of endurance sports (well, cycling and running) on showcase through a block-party-like atmosphere.
The day starts in the morning with a 4-mile run/walk. Who doesn't like road races? Trick question: everyone loves them. Especially in Hyde Park. Everyone runs in Hyde Park, and you can bet just about everyone will be participating in the run that morning.
The run is followed by a series of kids races, ranging in distance from .1 to .5 miles. Nothing like getting 'em started young.
At noon the even switches gears (pun intended) as the cycling races start. From noon until 8 pm, there are a series of crits of decreasing category (which means increasing speed and competition), eventually culminating in the women's professional race at 7 pm. I don't know much about cycling, but these races are still exciting to watch...especially since crits are crazy. A huge peloton of riders whipping around 90 and 180 degree corners on a less-than-mile looped course makes for some sweet racing. Plus, being a neighborhood event, you're bound to spot neighbors, friends, and coworkers racing.
Soon after the cycling races begin, so too does the block party, with bands, beer, and booze (redundant, yes; but every party needs it) around the Square. Hang out, enjoy summer, and cheer on the riders as they whip around the u-turn trough the Square.
The event really hits its stride (pun intended again) at 8 pm, with the men's and women's Elite 5k going off together. So maybe I'm a little biased, but I think this is the best race of the day. It's an intimate race (probably no more than 30 runners total) on a small course (looping 4 times on the crit course), which makes it very tactical and very spectator-friendly. Prize money six people deep just adds to the intrigue. This race is unlike any I've ever done: a road race with a small, fast field and an intimate fan setting, where the course is walled with spectators cheering us all on. Featuring many of the top local and regional runners, this one really puts the sport on showcase.
[Shameless plug for the spectators: cheer on the local guy in sunglasses and Fleet Feet singlet! That's me!]
One elite race is followed by another, as the men's professional cycling crit follows the run at 8:30. This race in NUTS! These guys are so fast and so technical, it's amazing. Add in the overall prize money and mid-race incentives, and the race often yo-yos with an endless series of tactical attacks and lulls, making for an exciting and unpredictable spectacle.
So...are you going to the Hyde Park Blast? Because you should be.
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