Throw down in Cincinnati's head-to-head road running competition
Throw down in Cincinnati's head-to-head road running competition
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Cincy Chase the Crown is a virtual, road racing event in Cincinnati tailored for athletes looking to challenge themselves through the harsh winter training season. Runners will test their skills on local Strava segments in some of the more notable, scenic areas of Cincinnati. Fastest times between competitors will advance. Defeated runners will have a second chance to compete their way back into the Final Round. Winner with the quickest time in the final round will walk away with a prize of $150 and beer fit for a King and Queen.
The Tournament
The Tournament
Cincy Chase the Crown is a remote, head-to-head double elimination road racing competition. Runners are grouped against runners of similar capabilities based on times submitted at the time of registration, and seeded on the bracket. Each week in January brings a new Cincinnati-based Strava segment.
How it works: Runners will have one week to complete the segment assigned for the round. Each round will involve a specific Strava segment in Cincinnati. Rounds will increase intensity over the course of the tournament. The athlete's segment run must be recorded on a GPS enabled watch and uploaded to Strava during the round week; the schedule for this year is as follows:
First Round: January 6 - 12
Second Round: January 13 - 19
Third Round: January 20 - 26
Final Round: January 27 - February 2
Runners will have one week to run the Strava segment assigned for that round. Runners may attempt the segment as many times as they wish during the round. To advance to the next round, the runner must run a faster time on the segment than their assigned opponent. The runner with the faster segment time at the end of the round will advance to the next round. Runners who are defeated may enter a separate pool called the "Gauntlet" for a second chance to win their way back into the main bracket's final round.
The Gauntlet: Runners defeated in the first or second round may choose to compete their way back into the bracket by entering a consolidated consolation bracket known as "the Gauntlet". Gauntlet runners run the same segments as the main bracket. Only the fastest time performed on the segment by a runner in the Gauntlet during Round II will advance to the Gauntlet's Round III with all eliminated Round II runners from the main bracket. The runner with the fastest time from the Gauntlet's Round III segment will earn a spot into the coveted final round against the last two competitors from the main bracket. These three runners will race for the crown.
The Final Round: Runners who beat their opponent in Round III of the main bracket, and the fastest runner from the Gauntlet will advance to the final round. These three competitors will face one final segment in the last week. The fastest time at the end of the final round is the winner.
Submissions: Each week, send your recorded times and segment performance from your GPS watch and Strava activity to tim@speedysyndicate.com no later than Sunday at 5:00pm (EST) to have your effort counted for that week's round. Remember - runners may complete multiple attempts on each segment during the tournament. The fastest effort performed by a runner will be counted for that round. There is no limit on the number of attempts you run the segment as long as it is completed during the round each week.
Round 1: Union Terminal Loop Clockwise
Round 1: Union Terminal Loop Clockwise
Distance: 0.56 miles
Neighborhood: Queensgate
Description: A half-mile loop running clockwise around the Cincinnati Museum Center Campus.
Round 2: Around Ault Park
Round 2: Around Ault Park
Distance: 0.61 miles
Neighborhood: Mt Lookout
Description: An uphill loop with downhill finish around Ault Park Pavilion and its surround gardens.
Round 3: Low Road Out of Spring Grove (CTC) *substitute for Spring Grove Lake Loop
Round 3: Low Road Out of Spring Grove (CTC) *substitute for Spring Grove Lake Loop
Distance: 0.86 miles
Neighborhood: Spring Grove (Cemetery)
Description: An 0.86 mile long dash starting from the lakeside Otto Armleder grave site running through the low road on the western end of the Spring Grove Cemetery, past the most notable names that influenced the Queen City, ending through the tunnel.
Strava: https://www.strava.com/segments/38470614?filter=overall
Final Round: Pinocchio's Revenge
Final Round: Pinocchio's Revenge
Distance: 1.11 miles
Neighborhood: Walnut Hills (Eden Park)
Description: An uphill dash to the Cincinnati Art Museum, past Pinocchio, before circling Playhouse in the Park and descending to Mirror Lake.
Are you ready to capture the crown?
Are you ready to capture the crown?
Answers:
Q: When does Cincy Chase the Crown Start?
A: January 6, 2025.
Q: When is the registration deadline?
A: The deadline to register is December 28, 2025. Brackets will be announced by January 4.
Q: Can I run the segment more than once?
A: Yes. You may run the segment multiple times, as many as you would like. Only the times recorded during the week of the applicable round will be considered for purposes of the tournament.
Q: Can I run the segment with someone else?
A: Yes. Other people are allowed to run the segments with competitors (e.g., pacers), provided that you complete the segment yourself within the required time period. You may not use another runner as a substitute to complete the segment on your behalf.
Q: What is an eligible run that will be accepted?
A: Runs recorded using GPS that show elapsed time, moving time, that were completed, recorded on Strava public leaderboards, and submitted by 6:00pm on Sunday at the end of the round week will be accepted for that round of the tournament. However, our team reserves the right to approve or reject a submission in our sole and absolute discretion.
Q: Do I have to record my run?
A: Yes. All runs must be recorded with either a smartwatch or phone equipped with GPS. All runs must show elapsed time in order to be considered. Runs that only show moving time are ineligible and will be rejected.
Q: Do I need to use a GPS enabled watch to record my segments?
A: Yes. A GPS enabled watch showing your moving time, elapsed time, and heartrate is required to verify you have completed the segment.
Q: Do I have to publicly post my segment efforts (and turn off hide my location)?
A: Yes. If you intend to submit your effort on a Strava segment, Strava must recognize your run on its public leaderboards and will require you to disable the hide your start/finish for your activity over the segment. This requirement is to ensure fairness in a public competition and to combat any appearance of cheating.
Q: How are the brackets made?
A: NEW for 2025: Brackets will be seeded based on recent times achieved in a race or individual performance within the last year. At the time of registration, runners may submit any achieved time from an eligible event, which includes any distance from the mile to the marathon, that the runner performed within the last 12 months. A link to the results page from the activity, certificate from the race organizer, or verified Strava activity ONLY for time trials and other performances not associated with a formal race must be submitted as proof of an eligible performance. Submission of seed time is not required, but strongly encouraged in order to properly seed all athletes. Following submission of the seed times, runners will first be grouped based on similar times, and then seeded within their group (e.g., runners with mile times of 5:00-5:30 pace will be grouped together, separate from a group of runners with 8:00-9:00 mile times). These pairings are designed to give all athletes a better chance of advancing to the next round. However, this outcome is entirely dependent on the quantity and caliber of athletes who register. It is also important to remember that most athletes are not in peak performance in January, and will approach these segments as workouts. If the runner you're paired against is significantly faster than you, don't fret! Run your best effort and you might surprise yourself (and your competitor!) if you run hard enough. Anything could happen in this competition!
Q: What if my GPS data gets messed up?
A: Our team will review any issues with time submissions to verify segments are being recorded properly and will make any adjustments necessary to ensure the integrity of the competition. We understand that there will likely be flaws with this remote style of racing, but remember you will have one week to complete the segment if you experience any GPS data issues.
Q: How will you prevent cheating?
A: We are curating a deep field so that cheating your way to victory will not be possible. Our team will verify all runs to ensure the integrity of the tournament is upheld. Anyone caught cheating will have their times rejected and be subject to disqualification and removal from the competition.
Q: Will there be prizes?
A: $150 and some prized local beer will be awarded to the winner of the King's Bracket and to the winner of the Queen's bracket.
Q: Are there any other rules?
A: Yes. Head over to our Rules page for the full rules for the competition.
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