I hope you didn’t miss the Inaugural National Trail Running Day this past Saturday.  It was a great success with runners taking to the trails all over the Nation.  Over 3000 trail runners participated in official events this year by running in group runs, trail races, and doing trail clean-ups.  Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it a success!  Don’t worry if you missed it, there’s always next year.  Put it on your long-range calendar now so you don’t forget, August 21st, 2010, is set for the 2nd Annual National Trail Running Day.  You only have 363 days left to plan your celebration.  If you have any pictures from National Trail Running Day that you would like to share, please feel free to add them to the National Trail Running Day Facebook group.

Again, thank you to all who participated in the Inaugural event.  Now you have something to tell your grandchildren about.  How way back in 2009 you participated in the very first National Trail Running Day!

This post was contributed by Kelsey Allen, who writes about the nursing schools online. She welcomes your feedback at KelseyAllen1010@yahoo.com.

Training to run a marathon is a pinnacle point in your life when you develop the ability to pace yourself as well as motivate yourself to gain the stamina needed to run the 26.2 miles that are required of you.  Running a marathon is no easy feat and can take years to completely train for, but the end result is worth it in so many ways.  Pushing your body in that way can be highly rewarding as you have never been pushed to that extent before.

The United States has become known as the obese capital of the world which is a title we have yet to completely shake off since there are more and more documentaries coming out about our constant struggle with obesity.  Americans’  ability to get off their couches to go out and train for a marathon is a remarkable change from the previous stipulation that all Americans are “lazy couch potatoes”.  While most winners in major marathons hail from countries in Africa that are notorious for distance runners such as Kenya and Ethiopia, there are still a great many runners who end up in the top 10 that are from the area.  The concept of the marathon run dates from the fabled run of the Greek soldier Phidippides who was a messenger from the Battle of Marathon, taking a message to Athens.  His role was to announce that the Persians had been defeated, with the legend stating that he ran the entire distance without stopping.  While Phidippides collapsed and died after exclaiming the news to Athens, he set the standard for the run.  With the length of the route being approximately 26 miles, this thus became the standard for the distance within the modern marathon.

The advent of the modern Olympic games at the turn of the 20th century paved the way for the popularity of the marathon run, as this became a featured sport within the Olympics.  Since this time, the marathon run has become a worldwide event, with major cities like London, Berlin, and Boston featuring many of the top runners within their races.  The top ten list of marathon runners mostly hail from Kenya and Ethiopia, with 10^th place going to runner from Morocco.  While you typically will not reach this time when running your first marathon (near 2 hours), the fact that you can even finish a marathon is more rewarding than you know.  Training for a marathon takes a lot of stamina and endurance, as well as continuous motivation to keep increasing your route every day, but as soon as you cross that finish line you are able to realize how worthwhile it is at the end.

“I’m going to take this itty bitty world by storm; and I’m just getting warm!” -Ladies Love Cool J, from “Momma Said Knock You Out”

Ladies Love the Cool J and they also the Trail Day, National Trail Running Day that is.  That’s right, it’s about to go down.  The Day to Celebrate Trail Running is falling upon us!  From the Website:

“National Trail Running Day is a day to promote, celebrate, and experience the sport of Trail Running. Trail Running is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States with runners taking to the trails of varying difficulties and distances for a way to connect with nature and the environment, while also building strength and more technical running skills.

What should you do on National Trail Running Day? National Trail Running Day is a day for runners to come together and celebrate the sport of Trail Running. Anyone can plan an event for National Trail Running Day. Some of the events already planned are trail races, group trail runs, or trail clean-ups.”

Makes sense.  A good way to promote an increasingly popular sport give it a official National Day status.  You need to get on the bandwagon and try Trail Running before it’s too late.  I took a friend Trail Running for his first time last week and he really enjoyed it.  He was lucky he did too because he had already bought some trail running shoes and even listed “Trail Running” as an interest on his Facebook!  I guess you can be interested in something you’ve never done before.  For instance, I’ve never swam with sharks but I think they are interesting…wait…I have swam with sharks, off the coast of Tahiti.  Trust me, it’s tough being the Most Interesting Man in the World.

I want everyone in the United States to become more interesting, it makes for an overall happier population, so that’s why I’m advocating that everyone try trail running on National Trail Running Day, August 22nd, the 3rd Saturday in August.  If you’ve never been Trail Running before then you should try it for the first time.  If you have done a trail run a couple of times, then you should try a trail race on NTRD.  If you’re already an established, expert Trail Runner, then win a Trail Race on August 22nd.  If you are an experienced Trail Runner but not fast enough to win a race, then get your trail running buddies (probably your best friends) together and organize a trail clean-up day.  See, this day is for everyone!  Go to the National Trail Running Day website to see if there are any events in your area, if not, plan one.  I know you like to usually just grip and rip but this is an important holiday.  You don’t just show up to Christmas without planning on what presents you are going to bring…unless you’re me and shop the day before without putting any prior thought into the presents and then always get exactly what people want.  Maybe I should become a personal shopper.

Negative.  Shopping is lame.  Here are 8 reasons from the National Trail Running Day website why Trail Running is better than shopping:

8 Reasons to go Trail Running

1. Strengthens your leg muscles that road running does not.
2. Improves balance and agility from running on uneven surfaces.
3. Increases your mental toughness.
4. Biophillia – humans want to be close to nature. Trail Running increases your time in nature.
5. The primal thrill of using your body for what it was made to do, be a long distance, all-terrain vehicle.
6. Reduces injury because running on soft surfaces is better for your joints. Also, the differing steps do not put as much stress on certain parts of your body.
7. Less traffic and cleaner air.
8. Running in the shade is cooler, allowing you to run longer distances and get a better overall work out.

Well there you have it.  I should have just done a blog post with those 8 reasons at the beginning instead of after all the other mumbo jumbo in the beginning paragraphs.  You’ll have to excuse me for that.  Sometimes I’m too interesting for my own good.

What is a better way to celebrate National Trail Running Day than running an ultra race?  Running the Lean Horse Hundred and Half Hundred Ultra Race.  The Lean Horse Ultra is set for August 22nd at 6 am, the dawn of National Trail Running Day.  This event is out of Hot Springs, South Dakota, a beautiful region for outdoor activities such as trail running and mountain biking.  South Dakota doesn’t get the press it deserves for being a premier, scenic area to trail run…until now.

The 100 mile and 50 mile course starts right outside race headquarters at Hot Springs Freedom Trail bike path.  The race will take you through downtown Hot Springs, paralleling the Platte river on the North side of town; otherwise know as the “cool” side of town.  The course travels over many different surfaces with a bit of paved roads, a couple of blocks in a residential neighborhood, open meadows, trail, and hilly country roads to keep your body guessing and keep your attention on this long, grueling endeavor:   finishing an Ultra marathon.  Total climbing for the 50 mile distance is 3967 feet and 7216 feet of climbing for the full 100 mile race.  Check out the course maps and decide if you are ready to take on this challenge.  Good decision.  I knew you were ready.  I’m surprised you didn’t already have plans for National Trail Running Day.

Make plans for a weekend trip and stay a while in beautiful Hot Springs, South Dakota.  Check out Wind Cave National Park, one of the world’s longest and most complex caves.  Maybe cave running could be fun.  Or you can get your warm up run on the 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest.  Look out for the amazing wildlife of bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.  If you would rather watch someone else do the running, then check out the Black Hills wild horse sanctuary.  See wild mares and their colorful, frolicking foals enjoying their day.  This tour is so beautiful that even wild horses couldn’t drag you away…from watching wild horses.

Watching wild horses is fun, but you are a Lean Horse, ready to run a great ultra marathon race.  How do you keep a Lean Horse moving?  With plenty of subsistence.  There will be pretzels, chips/crackers, sandwiches, chicken soup, peanut butter and crackers, cooked salt potatoes (a favorite), oranges, bananas, candy, brownies, cookies, hammer gel, and instant oatmeal.  In the trough for Lean Horse runners will be water, powerade, coffee, defizzed coke/pepsi, tea, lemonade, and instant hot chocalate.  What else could you need to help you finish this awesomely challenging race?  If for some reason the challenge gets the better of you, there will be 10 aid stations along the race course.  Now you don’t have any excuse for accepting the Lean Horse Hundred and Half Hundred Ultra marathon challenge!  Just finishing not enough of a challenge for you?  Then strive to run the course in under 20 or 24 hours and get your name on the Lean Horse Hall of Fame.  It’s good to be famous.

Register online or via mail, famous Rock Star.  Stop thinking about it, do it.  You only have until August 15th to register!  Don’t be one of those irresponsible Rock Stars.  That was so 1980.

It’s that time of year again, Saturday August 8th, to run the 31st Bridge of Flowers Classic Race.  The race started in 1979 in celebration of the Buckland Bicentennial and has served as a fun, scenic, challenging race for the 30 years since with only small modifications to the race course.  Come run and make it a successful 31st year!  The race runs along the Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts and contains all sorts of scenic wonderfulness that requires tough mindedness resulting in overall joyfulness.  This is a figure 8 course that is very spectator friendly; spectators are just as important as the runners you know.  The race starts and finishes in the little village with delightful and numerous wee shops, restaurants, and pubs.  What a great place to finish a race!  Get something to eat and enjoy a pint as you carb re-load after the run.  You deserve it!  Then check out the shops.  Buzzed shopping is always fun, just be careful not to knock anything over, the shops are wee.  Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is located on the scenic and historic Mohawk Trail in the Berkshire foothills.  This beautiful town is rich with natural beauty, talented artisans, and an atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.  So this will feel like your 10k home course!

You can run the 10K starting at 9:00 or the 2-mile run starting at 8:20.  The 2-mile run is designed so you can raise money for the DIAL/SELF Youth and Community Services organization.  A great cause to support.  This is a fun race with plenty of spectators and live bands along the route to help motivate you.  At the end of the race there will be free massages and live music so stick around and enjoy the festivities.  Total prize money is $10,130 with prizes for all age division both Men and Women; however, you must be a member of USATF to recieve cash prizes.  Make sure you attend the Spaghetti Fest during the registration and packet pick-up on the Friday night before the race to get the carbs you need to compete at your highest level.  Competing at your highest level is always fun.

Go ahead and save $10 by registering online, I mean, obviously you are online right now.  Entry fees are $17 for participants under the age of 18, $25 for ages 18-70, and free for 71 years of age and older.  Man, I can’t wait until I’m 70 and can get free race entries!

So come run this Classic race in a classic New England town.  Run it for X amount of years and eventually you’ll be able to run it for free!  I love running for free.

Run Portland Run is a part of the Inaugural Run America Run Series put on by USA productions which consists of not only the Run Portland Run race but also the Run Austin Run race.  That’s a lot of run, which of course, means it’s a lot of awesome.  The inaugural Run Portland Run race will be held on September 6th at 7:30.

The race starts at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront and runs on one of the most unique half marathons in the downtown Portland area.  The route will travel over two historic bridges and along the most beautiful areas on the east side of the Willamette River.  Perfect for a cool breeze as you cruise to a great race time!  There will be prizes for each age group, team, and individual runner.  Take part in this Inaugural event, run both races in the series and win.  Then you’ll be able to say, ‘I am the first ever winner the Run America Run Series!’   Leverage that for the rest of your life as the series grows in popularity and prestige.  You’ll be famous!  If you’d rather not win it, still plan on receiving a medal for participating.  You earned it!  This is an event with incredible production value to all participants with all the ‘bells & whistles’ of a National Event.  USA Productions has a background of more than two decades of events experience.  You know it’s going to something you don’t want to miss!

Run as an individual or in a team category such as professional, women’s, corporate, collegiate, high school, military, challenged athlete or walker.   That is what the Run America Run series is all about, bringing America together and strengthening communities with fantastic running events in which everyone can share their love for fitness.  The Run America Run series is focused on community and builds around alignments with non-profits in each of the regions, as well as create and environment for all runners, walkers, and people that enjoy a healthy lifestyle to come together.  This is what sets USA Productions events apart from all the other races.

So register today and take part in your community.  Come for the race and stay for the party.  Cost is $70 for the half, $40 for 10K, and $30 for the 5K.  You can register online until September 4th.  After that there is race day registration.  So come one, Run Portland Run!  Or anywhere else, Run America Run!

I normally don’t do race recaps like a lot of other running blogs do because I think it’s boring.  I’d rather use this blog for news and information about running with a mild amount of entertainment, but you’re in luck, this race recap is about me, so it’s going to be straight entertainment.   I’m so interesting.  I have a website.

You didn’t know?  Shirtless running is so hot right now.  At any rate, I have run the Peachtree Road Race about 8 times.  As you may know, about two months ago I developed Patellar Tendonitis, or Jumper’s Knee.  Since then I haven’t been 100%, only running about 4 days a week and have not been able to run more than 5.5 miles without stopping because of the pain.  Prior to my injury I had set a goal to run the Peachtree Road Race in under 36 minutes but with my lack of training I decided to push that goal back to a race finish under 40 minutes, but would also be fine with under 42 to remain in the sub-seeded group for next year.

I started off the morning early at 5:15.  I showered because I didn’t want to have bed-head in the race photos.  I ate 3 bags of oatmeal for my pre-race breakfast.  I went and parked my car near the finish line, about a mile from my house, and then walked across the park about 1.5 miles to the closest subway.  Once I got to the start line I drank some water, waited 20 minutes to use the restroom, and ate a powerbar and some jelly beans.  All very interesting things huh?  I got to my sub-seeded corral which had plenty of room with racers sitting on the ground and stretching.  Standing would take some energy out of me so I sat down and started to do some stretching.  As I moved my legs in different positions I rubbed something from the bottom of my shoe on to the back of my leg.  It looked like dirt but didn’t have the same consistency.  I smelled it and realized I just rubbed dog poop all over my legs.  I tried to rub it out but that just made my hands smell of dog poop too.  Great.  I couldn’t really do anything about it so close to race time so I stood up and waited to start the race.  At five minutes prior to the start everyone was lined up close together near the start line and waiting for the gun.  I looked down to see if my shoes were tied, my IT bands were tight, and my race chip was secured and saw a puddle moving toward my foot.  I turned around to find the source of the liquid and saw it coming out of the guy behind me shorts.  I thought, ‘He must have had a water bottle burst in his pants pocket or something.’  I turned around and looked again and the man awkwardly moved back away from me a couple of steps.  He was urinating in his pants alright.  I thought to myself, ‘Unless you are going to win this race, it’s not that serious man.’  With no other options, I adjusted out of the yellow stream and waited for the start of the race with my legs covered in feces and my shoes covered in urine.  I was ready to run this race!

I ran the first 3 miles in a sub 6:00 pace.  I was on track to break 36, but I knew that the first 3 miles were down hill and usually pretty quick.  I even told myself to slow down a bit at about 2.4 miles.  I never tell myself to slow down.  The day prior I had done a ground recon of the course, so I knew what to expect as far as hills.  I figured if I could hold on and do the next 3 miles at a 7:00 minute mile pace I would still break 40.  But that didn’t happen.  I pushed myself hard up the hills, put everything out of my mind other than finishing this race strong.  I was breathing harder than everyone else around me at the beginning of the race but still keeping pace.  In the second half I was passing people, charging up the hills.  I didn’t look at my Garmin 205 for the last 2 miles of the race.  I wanted to push myself, knowing just a general idea of the distance that was left.  I hadn’t been training and was running a mental race.  I ran a 38:25.  Well under my 40 minute goal.  I got 330th overall out of 50,000 so I’m still in the top 1% of all runners that I race against.  That is an overall goal that I strive to maintain.  When I get older or become a female I’ll adjust that standard.

I know that it was a mental race and not a physical race because my legs were very sore the next day and I usually never get sore.  This just goes to show you, running is 93% mental…or somewhere around there.

I’m taking a Racecation this weekend.  Well, actually it’s a Staycation with a Racecation added.  I’m running my 8th (or so) Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta.  Meet me under the SeriousRunning.com banner for a tasty cold beverage to begin your Racecation off right.  Word.

I came up with the word “Racecation” from a conversation in 140 characters or less I had on Twitter with @Josiegal44.  This 4th of July she is traveling to Hawaii and will be running a 10K.  We’ve all heard of destination races, but what makes a race a destination race, the race or the destination?  How do you decide if a race deserves a Racecation?  Here’s a couple of things you should consider:

Destination: This is the most important factor for a Racecation.  You want to go to a place that has a lot to offer for the non-racing portion of your trip.  The race can’t be your only focus on a Racecation; otherwise you should just call it a race.  Try to use a race as an excuse to visit a place that you have never been before.  There are many cities in the United States that I would love to check out but don’t know anyone who lives there; therefore I have no excuse to go, like Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Detroit.  So exotic.  Use a race as an excuse to check out somewhere exotic.  I used college as an excuse to go live in Los Angeles from Atlanta.  That seemed to work out pretty well for everybody.  Got a little extra chedda?  Go International.  There are marathon races everywhere from Dubai to Costa Rica.  And you thought bootleg DVDs was the only reason to leave the country.

Race Experience: You can go to a great destination but there is a chance you could run 26.2 miles on the outskirts of town.  You want to make sure the “race” portion of your Racecation is a great experience.  Some races have a more lively atmosphere than others at the finish, but I would focus more on the race route.  Take a Racecation on a race course that travels through different parts of a city or by national monuments.  Running is the best way to check out a city you’ve never been to before…other than maybe riding a double decker bus…on the top deck of course.

Race Distance: You can take a Racecation for any distance race but I would recommend it be a distance that is an accomplishment for you.  It can be as low as a half-marathon or as high as an ultra-marathon, the point is, make your Racecation a race distance that is difficult for you.  Once you finish the race, having accomplish your difficult goal, the rest of the Racecation will be that much more enjoyable!

Cost of Travel: Just like any vacation, you need to take into account the marginal benefits to the marginal cost of your Racecation.  If you can drive to a great Racecation instead of flying across the country and get close to the same experience then that is probably your best bet.  Don’t overextend yourself, that’s how the economy got in this mess.

Party: Make sure you find a destination that is party.  I suggest wearing your finishers medal and singing Right Said Fred’s, ‘I’m Too Sexy” at a karaoke bar the evening after your race for extra legitness.  The celebration of eating or drinking as much as you want the night after a long race is not something to take lightly.  Make sure you are in a destination to take full advantage of this.  Although, make sure the destination is not too party.  A friend recently asked me if I wanted to run the Las Vegas Marathon and I said, “Only if I can find a flight that lands 2 hours before the race so I can go directly to the start line.  It’s Vegas bro.  I can’t go to bed early the night before a race in Veg.”  Rule number one to being a serious runner:  knowing your limits.  Rule number two to being a serious runner:  say cool words like “bro” and “Veg.”  Abbreviations are so hip.

Friends and Family: Try to involve your friends and family in your Racecation.  See if anyone wants to travel and/or run the race with you.  Racecations are a great excuse to bring a group of friends together to take a trip.  Think about where you have family or close friends that you want to visit. Not only will you have built in race supporters but also maybe a cheap place to stay.  Just remember to bring your own alarm clock.

So take a Racecation this long weekend.  You deserve it!  If you’re Racecationing at the Peachtree Road Race, stop by the SeriousRunning.com banner and racecate with me.

It’s time to get off the Atlanta area roads again.  On June 28th at 8:30 am, Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC will be hosting the Silver Comet 6.2 Mile Rail/Trail Race, also known as a 10K race distance to you European types.  This inaugural race will be a great single and double track off-road running experience.  The race will start on the Silver Comet Trail which is a 94 mile old rail trail stretching from Georgia to Alabama named after the old Silver Comet passenger train line.  But this is more than an old rail line turned into multipurpose trail, it’s a bridge between Alabama and Georgia, breaking down relationship barriers that have been developed for years stemming from the argument between which state is inbred more.  Finally we can agree, both states are thoroughly inbred.  The Silver Comet 6.2 Mile Rail/Trail Race will go 3.1 miles down the Silver Comet (path) and at the 3.1 mile mark it will turn into the woods and head back down through the woods for the remaining 3.1 miles (50% Silver Comet Trail ⁄ 50% Paulding Co. SORBA Trails). The terrain is made up of a little bit of everything, rolling hills, climbs, single track, double track, roots, along with some technical sections.  Like a buffet; except there is a limit to the amount of trail you can get; and you don’t get to pick which type of terrain you want to run on, so this trail race really isn’t like a buffet, but it is just as filling!  The course is beautiful and offers something for every runner truly wishing to ‘ditch the city’.  This will be a great trail race if you are thinking about getting into trail running and live in the Atlanta area.  Take this opportunity to begin your journey to being an extreme trail runner.  Mountain Dew can only take your extremeness levels so far.

If you are a more experienced trail runner then try to win a medal or prize by being the overall top 3 male and female finishers for each race.  The last Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC race, XTERRA Georgia Deep South was one Emily Vall who admitted to me that it was her first trail race ever!  Well, the first trail race she ever finished, she got lost on her previous attempt.  Maybe there’s an elite trail racer in you that you don’t know about.  And don’t worry, XTERRA Georgia Trail Race Series events are well marked.  They will also be handing out medals to our top 3 male and female finishers in each age group (14&U, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70&U) so you don’t have to be the best to win, just the best among your peers.  Being awesome is all relative.

Not planning on finishing in the awarded category?  It’s cool, not everyone is, that’s why they are called awards.  Walkers are even encouraged to participate; however, you should be able to complete the 6.2 Mi at a 16 minute mile pace or under to receive an official time.  This is a trail race for everyone!  Come out and experience the fun of an XTERRA Georgia Trail Race!  You’ll have a great time and be able to tell all your friends how extreme you are!

So do you like to run fun races that benefit a good cause and are combined with other awesome festivities?  No?  Then you’re a lame-o.  But I know you’re not a lame-o because you are here at SeriousRunning.com, so I feel it is my duty to keep you awesome and tell you about the Hyde Park Blast 4 mile Run/Walk race on June 27th at 8:00 AM at Hyde Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.  That’s right, the same city that the famous sitcom ‘WKRP-Cincinnati’ took place!  You know this is a destination race for sure!

More than just being able to experience the same city that inspired WKRP in Cincinnati, the Hyde Park Blast is a great reason to come and see what Cincinnati is all about.   Make this race and event an exciting time to get away, participate in a run, and get your festive on.  It’s also very family friendly so bring the whole clan along to cheer you on as you speed through the 4 mile race course in Hyde Park in this 2 loop figure 8 route, perfect for them to watch you race by multiple times.  The Hyde Park Blast Run/Walk 4 mile race starts and finished at Hyde Park Square at Erie and Edwards.  There will be water points at the 1.5 and 3 mile marks.  You can bring your baby stroller and dogs along to run because there will be a separate elite field from general racers.  This way you can see watch super serious runners.  If it makes you feel negative about your running prowess watching these elite runners, then maybe you should wait 45 minutes for the kids runs to lift your spirits.  Blast for kids age groups and distances are: 2-3 run 25 yards, 4-6 run 50 yards, 7-9 1/2 mile, and 10-13 year olds run a full mile.  These little racers will get a T-shirt, goodie bag, and medal just like you.  They grow up so fast; you might as well let them start running fast too.

The Hyde Park Blast started in 2001 raising money for cancer-related and community benefactors.  In that time, the Hyde Park Blast has given over $100,000 dollars to charities.  That’s a lot of good done.  Not only are the proceeds going toward a great cause but the event is helping the enviroment’s cause too.  Hyde Park Blast’s motto is:  Go Hard, Go Green.  In order to do this there will be an event-wide recycling program, recycled/reusable participant bags, organic fruit, no printed entry forms so register online, recycled paper for extra print, and have eliminated past bus transportation.  Looks like the the Hyde Park Blast is going hard and staying green.

I know, going green, helping cancer research, taking part in helping community businesses are all nice things, but what’s really in it for you?  How about a legit party and festival after the race?!  The party kicks off directly after the run with the Taste of Hyde Park and Sidewalk Sale featuring local restaurants and vendors.  If you’re not into walking around after running a race (you really should so your muscles don’t tighten) then plop yourself down at the best breakfast and post-race party Kegs/Eggs Breakfast.  Protein and carbohydrates, perfect for post race nourishment.  Not into Kegs or Eggs Mrs. finicky?  Well then how about organic fruit along with Bloody Marys and Mimosas too?  Sounds refreshing.  And the party doesn’t have to stop there.  Stay into the night, watch the Cycling Criterium, and hang at the evening block party featuring musical artists ‘The Rusty Griswolds.’  Sorry, no, their lead singer isn’t Chevy Chase.  But this band is sure to make the Hyde Park Blast as fun as a ‘Christmas Vacation’ or ‘European Vacation’ in the middle of the summer in Cincinnati!  You’re on your own to create the silly antics and hilarious physical comedy.

So if you’re looking for a great way to celebrate the 4th of July the weekend before, then register to run the Hyde Park Blast Run/Walk, take part in all of the summer fun festivities and get warmed up for the 4th of July!