Every weekend, multiple
five- and ten-kilometer races take place in Cincinnati for runners and
walkers. Marathons, duathlons and triathlons – formerly events reserved
for only the most elite competitors – now attract thousands of
participants. Judging by the number of cars sporting “26.2” or “13.1”
oval bumper stickers, it appears that almost everyone is running
marathons. What can the elite athlete do to truly distinguish themselves
and prove their mettle in this plethora of “me too” sporting events?
On Sunday,
a small group of runners and cyclists will gather at the base of
Straight Street in Clifton Heights for the Straight Street Hill Climb.
Some will be hoping to break the elusive two-minute record. Others will
be just happy to finish the 0.36-mile distance. You read that correctly,
0.36, a little more than 1/3 of a mile. Sound easy?
The
Straight Street Hill Climb is billed as ‘one of the most grueling
sub-mile runs on the planet’ by event organizers. “It’s two minutes of
self-inflicted torture,” claims event coordinator, Doug Newberry. This
year’s hill climb will be the 37th anniversary of the the event that
started in 1976 by the Clifton Track Club. It has been run almost
annually ever since. The bike race was added in 2011, along with the
option to both run and bike up the hill in consecutive assaults.
Running race will begin at 9 a.m.. Bike races will begin about 9:30
a.m.. Depending on the number of riders, cyclists may be started in
multiple heats.
Proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Soap Box Derby
2012 sponsors:CUF Neighborhood Association, BioWheels Cincinnati,
Bishop’s Bicycles, Campus Cyclery, Element Cycles, Jim’s Bicycle Shop,
Reser Bicycle Outfitters, Smitty’s Cyclery and Wiedemann Beer.
