Get all the latest information, news and announcements for Cincinnati's best summer event - The Hyde Park Blast!
Volunteers Needed for Annual Hyde Park Blast
Hyde Park Blast Adding Team Challenge for Seventh Annual
Gillette and Olay partner to support Elite Field and Team
On Saturday, June 28th, more than 4000 participants will come together in the fight against cancer as they take part in the Seventh Annual Hyde Park Blast brought to you by Toyota. The event includes Ohio’s 4-Mile RRCA Championship, A Blast for Kids, criterium bike race and a large evening post-race party. The challenging course has been recognized as one of the area’s coolest and scenic residential courses. The 4-mile walk and run will begin at 8 a.m. with a new loop course and separate elite start starting at 9:15.
In addition to the overall elite prize and new travel awards, the Blast is introducing a new elite team challenge to encourage more participation from regional and national teams. Presented by Gillette and Olay there will also be an added prize money component and teams must consist of three runners.
2008 Blast overall/team prize money and travel awards (for male and female elite fields):
- 1st Place - $1000, 2nd Place-$750, 3rd Place-$500, 4th Place-$250, 5th Place-$100
- Travel Prize: 1st Place-$2000-5 night stay for two in Jamaica from Superclubs
- Team Bonus: 1st Place-$1500, 2nd Place-$1000, 3rd Place-$500 (3 Member Teams)
To celebrate the RRCA Ohio 4-Mile Championship, the top Ohio Male and Female runners (open and elite field runners eligible) will also receive free memberships from Urban Active:
- 1st Place-1 Year, 2nd Place-6 Months, 3rd Place-3 Months
"We are very excited to have both Gillette and Olay partner up to help support our elite field and new team challenge which should be a great element that grows every year. The Superclubs trips may also provide a good deal of motivation for the top spots. It will also be great to have the separate elite start so that the main field and all of the spectators can watch the elite race from multiple places on the course. We get a great field every year and now the other participants can enjoy the race while cooling down from their efforts," says Chad Sims, event co-founder.
The Blast will also be the first collection point in the city for the Crocs Soles United recycling program where participants can donate their used Crocs for recycling and donation to impoverished countries. In addition, there will be two very distinctive promotions that include a human energy project and a coloring book launch that will be in partnership with the Cincinnati Parks Board and Children's Hospital. Both are unique to the region with extra tie-ins focused on the kid's events. The event will also receive support from University of Cincinnati's AMA chapter and Cincinnati State who will be helping with the campaign.
Elite field eligibility/time standards: Please contact Chad Sims at 513-533-4708 or csims1@fuse.net.
Proceeds from the event will go to the three benefiting charities; Give Back Cincinnati; the Wellness Community; and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
More information about The Hyde Park Blast is available online at www.hpblast.com, or by calling 513.533.7323.
HYDE PARK BLAST GOES HARD AND GOES GREEN IN 2008!
The Blast Will Be Green from Start to Finish
WHO: Runners, Walkers and Cyclists
WHAT: Can have fun, help the environment and help local charities by participating in the 7th Annual Hyde Park Blast. This year's Blast is going green in a big way.
WHEN: Saturday, June 28th with events starting at 8am and going until after 8:30pm.
WHERE: Starting and finishing at Hyde Park Square
WHY: The organizers and sponsors of the Hyde Park Blast are the first event in the city to take on a large-scale Green effort which will be themed Go Hard, Go Green!. The Blast wants to set a trend that other events will hopefully follow in going green in a big way. Some of the green aspects of this year's Blast include: an event-wide recycling program, recycled/reusable participant bags and organic fruit from Bigg's, eliminating all printed entry forms and encouraging participants to register online, using recycled paper for extra print materials, eliminating past bus transportation while promoting hybrid use via Toyota, and even a human energy component.
The Blast will also be the first collection point in the city for the Crocs Soles United recycling program where participants can donate their used Crocs for recycling and donation to impoverished countries. In addition, there will be two very distinctive promotions that include a human energy project and a coloring book launch that will be in partnership with the Cincinnati Parks Board and Children's Hospital. Both are unique to the region with extra tie-ins focused on the kid's events. The event will also receive support from University of Cincinnati's AMA chapter and Cincinnati State who will be helping with the campaign.
Participating partners include: Toyota, Duke Energy, Rumpke, Bigg's, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Crocs, Cincinnati Parks Board, Hamilton County Commissioner's Office, Park + Vine.
HOW: Adults and kids can sign up for various events including a 4 mile walk, 4 mile run, and kids events by visiting www.hpblast.com or register online for all events.
Race proceeds benefit: CancerFree Kids, Give Back Cincinnati, The Leukemia Society and The Wellness Community.
Other Ways to Be a Part of the Revolution
Corporate Teams
A corporate team consists of five or more people who preregister for the Blast. Teams receive all the benefits of individual Blast participants, so form a team with your family, friends or co-workers. The Blast can assist you with supplying your team with co-branded gear that distinguishes your team from others on race day!
Corporate Matching Program
We encourage companies to match contributions made by their employees. Or employers might choose to pay for part of or all of an employee's entry fee. Show your support in the race to cure cancer by encouraging your employees to participate in an event that encourages volunteerism, cancer support and giving back to their own community!
Volunteer
The Hyde Park Blast depends on the dedication and commitment of many volunteers during the yearlong planning process, not just on event day! The Blast's Curb Crew is an amazing group of volunteers that has lots of opportunities to help and to wear the most unique volunteer "uniforms" in Cincinnati! Groups of volunteers are encouraged to sign up together to handle specific areas, or as individuals who want to work where they are needed the most!
