So, wanting to give back to Cincinnati more than what I was already doing with my addition to Rumpke and pollution, I decided to "get involved."  After working with the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council for several years on the Ault Park July 4th events, a good friend of mine, Chad Sims, asked me why we never had a run in conjunction with the fireworks. 

Good idea...and less than 90 days later, the Hyde Park Blast was born. 

In our 7th year now, we're looking at numbers in the 2,000-3,000 ball park for the run/walk, and upwards of 6,000 people for the annual block party. 

When we originally established the Blast, our goal was to create an event for the community...one that allowed all levels of athlete and couch potato to participate, including dogs, kids, etc.  We wanted to showcase Hyde Park and bring people to the square that may not have normally come there.  In addition, we wanted to make sure that the event did something additional to give back - so we chose our favorite charities and decided all the money would return to them.  We both had some cancer issues in our families, so the Leukemia Society and the Wellness Community were our top choices.

Over the years, the Blast has evolved some, bringing on more elite runners, adding a block party, and doing some other new things.  But through the years, the Blast has remained focused on the community and on the charity partners.  We've tried to open up volunteer opportunities to those who want to get more involved.  And our latest partnership with
Give Back Cincinnati solidifies our commitment to the Cincinnati community in general.  Our hope is that as the years pass and the event grows, it will offer a forum for volunteerism in general, for young, old, etc.  We want to be involved with the schools as they teach our kids how important it is to continue to give back to the community.  We want to stay involved with the people who have built Hyde Park (and Cincinnati) in to what it is today...by continuing tradition where we can.  We want to engage the community new to our area, stimulating new ideas and changes that will make it an even better place! 

We're proud to be able to bring an event to Hyde Park that will help us showcase what a great place Cincinnati is to live, work and play.