Reviving the Hyde Park Blast Elite 5k
- Kyle Klingler
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 27
This Saturday, June 28th, the Hyde Park Blast returns for another unforgettable celebration of community, competition, and cause. Come join us!
For over two decades, the Blast has been a staple of Cincinnati's summer calendar, offering a vibrant lineup of events - from a 4 mile run/walk and kids fun run to high-energy criterium bike races and a lively block party in Hyde Park Square. There's truly something for everyone. Best of all, proceeds benefit Cincinnati cancer charities, including The Cure Starts Now, keeping the event rooted in purpose as much as fun.
The Blast was also once known for hosting one of the region's fastest road races, the Elite 5K. However, in 2014, this part of the event was shelved to ensure more of the event's resources could directly support cancer research. Prize purses and subsidized entries, while exciting, diverted key resources from the Blast’s core mission to change lives through cancer research.
The elite race sat dormant until 2024, when we reached out to the board with a proposal: revive the historic elite race to both re-energize the running scene in Cincinnati, while keeping the funds geared towards the cause. Since the foundation of Cincinnatus Track Club and our Elite team, our mission has been to push the sport of running forward in a multitude of ways. We saw the return of the Elite 5K as a bold step forward for the local competitive scene and a way to unite elite clubs across the region. We took on the task of promoting the race and bringing a field together, despite not having the typical prize purse to attract runners.
The uniqueness of the Hyde Park Blast was enough to sell the idea to local clubs and runners. What makes this race truly special is its setting. Runners tackle a compact criterium bike course. A .8-mile loop approximately 3.5 times—all while the block party pulses around them with live music and an amped-up crowd. It’s a road race experience like no other. Not to mention, it's nice to finish off a hard 5k at the beer tents listening to the band play.
Last summer, it came roaring back. With outreach to elite clubs and runners across nearby cities, we assembled a competitive field of 60 athletes who tore through the criterium course—smack dab between the Pro Women’s and Men’s cycling events. The energy was electric. Despite some looming storms, the crowd stayed, the band played on, and the athletes delivered.
Alec Sandusky charged to a commanding win in 14:36, while Maura Lemon cemented victory on the women’s side in 17:31. For the first time, 2024's event also introduced a club team competition—adding a fresh layer of excitement to the race. Cincinnatus Elite rose to the challenge of protecting home field and claimed the title!
This year, we’re raising the bar even higher! The 2025 field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Cincinnati road racing history. A staggering 40 men are seeded under 16 minutes, led by a blistering top seed of 13:48. On the women’s side, 15 athletes are seeded under 20 minutes, with the top competitor coming in at an impressive 16:38 seed.
Elite clubs from across the region will be toeing the line, including Cincinnatus Elite, Columbus Running Company Elite, Dayton Track Club Elite, Flying Dutchman Athletics, and Working Man's Track Club—and many more. With this much talent in one race, the stage is set for something truly unforgettable.
But the question remains—can anyone topple the longstanding course records? Both were set back in 2014, when Cleophas Ngetich ran a blazing 14:03 and Cynthia Limo clocked an extraordinary 15:47. These times, posted by world-class professionals, still stand as the marks to beat. Especially significant given the difficulty of the course on a hot summer evening!
Fun Fact: the elite race originally started out on the 4 mile course for the first few years. The event records for the 4 mile were set by Julius Kiptoo in 18:39 in 2008 and Mandi Zemba in 21:28 in 2007!
We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome this race back to the Hyde Park Blast lineup! Join us Saturday evening, June 28th, at 7:45 PM in Hyde Park Square to catch the action live. After the race, stick around and soak up the evening with great food, drinks, and live music.
Want to take your experience up a notch? Start the day by participating in the 4-mile run/walk in the morning—it’s the perfect way to kick off summer with some feel-good miles and community vibes. Most importantly, every dollar raised goes directly toward transforming lives. We’re incredibly grateful for your support and can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Link to register for the Hyde Park Blast 4-miler: https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cincinnati/HydeParkBlast
Apply for the Elite 5k here: https://www.cincinnatustrackclub.com/hyde-park-blast
Check out the schedule and all other info on the Blast here: https://hpblast.org/
Learn more about the incredible cause, The Cure Starts Now: https://thecurestartsnow.org/
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