The Hyde Park Blast is the brainchild of two Hyde Park friends, Chad Sims and Cheryl Koopman. Together they decided that the Hyde Park community needed a fun run to enhance area July 4th festivities. They thought a fitness-based event would be the perfect way to bring people to the Hyde Park area, while raising money and awareness for three important charities: The Leukemia Society, the Wellness Community and Give Back Cincinnati. In 2006, the Blast added Ironman For Miracles, a Children's hospital fundraising effort, and CancerFree Kids to the mix.

During the first year, the run successfully hosted over 1200 participants. Over the next five years, a block party and criterium ride were added, further contributing to the success of the event!

Since its inception in 2001, the Blast's mission has been to produce one of the city's favorite fitness and fun events, while raising money and increasing awareness of the many types of cancer and cancer-related community resources.

The Blast, open to runners of all abilities, cyclists, and party-goers, receives support from sponsors, participants, volunteers and the local community. By raising funds and by raising cancer awareness, it has helped more Cincinnatians join the search for finding a cure to these diseases.