The Hudepohl 14k Brewery Run is different this year. Because of the new Cincinnati Streetcar, the route had to change- it’s backwards!
The new route:
Miles 1-4 are net-uphill. The highest point of the race is right at the Mile 4 marker, right at the Brighton Bridge. Eggleston seems flat (it’s not), Reading is uphill, Liberty has a gigantic hill, and McMicken is one long uphill slope.
Key #1: Don’t burn it all on the first half – work for a negative split
Miles 4 – 8.25 are net-downhill, and right after a steep downhill starting at the Brighton Bridge, and at the bottom of that steep slope is the second water stop. Initially, my plan is going to be to skip that water stop and keep my momentum for the loop around Central/Linn/Bank/Colerain/Harrison. Harrison is a pretty big slope down from that area, so it’s a good momentum builder for the turn onto Spring Grove. That being said, I expect to grab water at stops 1 and 3 only, although that’s subject to change based on weather conditions.
Key #2: Plan water stops appropriately
Miles 8.25 to the end is flat, but has an uphill that will be right at the finish line. That’s not unlike the prior years where there was an uphill slope that started at Mehring and Broadway.
Key #3: Save some for the end
The last thing that bears note – two years ago, the weather was perfect running weather, last year was a little warm…
Key #4: Dress appropriately for the weather