Go OTR Run/Walk

GO OTR RUN/WALK KICKS OFF A DAY OF CELEBRATION IN THE GATEWAY QUARTER

Visit OTR’s hottest district Saturday May 31 for something to do all day and night

Fast runners can complete the Go OTR 5K Run/Walk in a matter of minutes. But this event is about way more than just turning in a fast time!

The second annual Go OTR 5K is just the beginning of a day and night filled with great things to do in Over-the-Rhine’s (OTR) Gateway Quarter and a chance to experience the renaissance that’s taking place in Cincinnati’s most historic and beautiful neighborhood.

The Go OTR 5K is Saturday May 31 and benefits the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce. Day of registration opens at 9 a.m. in the public parking lot at 12th and Vine streets. Pre-register for the race at www.otrchamber.com or call 513-241-2690. Mayor Mark Mallory will officially begin the race at 10:05 a.m.

Before sending runners and walkers on their way through the 3.2 mile course that travels past much of Over-the-Rhine’s breathtaking historic architecture and provides a glimpse of the revitalization taking place in OTR, Mayor Mallory will declare it “Live, Shop & Play in the Gateway Quarter Day” in Cincinnati.

“Over-the-Rhine has been transformed in the last few years, and the 5K is a perfect opportunity to take a new look at the thriving historic community,” Mayor Mallory said. “The community is truly coming alive as a perfect example of all that is great about urban living.”

The Gateway Quarter is a district in Over-the-Rhine that encourages and celebrates city living. It includes new and renovated loft-style condominiums, locally owned and operated restaurants and shops catering to urban lifestyle and architecture and innovative theater and arts venues from classical to cutting edge. For more information, visit www.gatewayquarter.com.

This year’s Go OTR 5K coincides with the one year anniversary of the original three stores in the Gateway Quarter: Park + Vine, a green general store at 1109 Vine St., Metronation, which sells contemporary home furnishings, clothes and gifts at 1213 Vine St., and City Roots, an urban garden store at 1133 Vine Street. Since that time, the Quarter has grown to include four additional stores and several restaurants and bars including Lavomatic, Jean Robert DeCavel’s newest bistro.

All of the stores will be open and offering a variety of specials following the Go OTR 5K as the expected 750-plus runners, walkers and volunteers as well as their families, friends and OTR neighbors gather for an after-party at the 12th and Vine parking lot featuring food, music and awards. Race awards are specially designed by Rookwood Pottery.

In addition to shopping, Gateway Quarter condo tours will be available through the sales office located across from the parking lot at 12th and Vine. This is a great opportunity to get a look at the amazing renovations going on inside some of our city’s most historic buildings. Over two-thirds of the 43 condos in historic buildings are already sold and another 107 are or will soon be under construction. Those new homes include nine lofts developed by Urban Sites in a building called “Trideca” at 1232 Vine St., which will be completed in early June. Trideca will be open for tours on Saturday May 31.
And as Saturday evening sets in, there’s no need to head home. The Fringe Festival, a collaborative arts festival that includes theatre, dance, music, poetry, visual art, film and everything in between runs May 27 to June 7. The Fringe Festival is sponsored by Know Theatre of Cincinnati, located at 1120 Jackson St. in OTR. For a complete Fringe Festival schedule visit www.cincyfringe.com.

And the Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St., is sponsoring SOS ART 2008 an art show that includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, installations, poetry readings, movies, music, performances and discussions on current issues of peace and justice. On Saturday may 31, the show is open from 7-10 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

GO OTR 5K RUN/WALK

EVENT: 2nd annual Go OTR 5K
DATE: Saturday May 31
LOCATION: Gateway Quarter, 12th and Vine parking lot
TIME: 10 a.m.
SPONSORS: The Model Group, PNC Bank
ENTRY FEE: $10 pre-registration/$15 day of the race (both include T-shirt and gift bag)
Proceeds benefit Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING: Just north of downtown, one block from Central Parkway at the corner of 12th and Vine Streets. Parking is available in the Gateway Garage, accessible from Central Parkway or 12th Street.

REGISTRATION: www.otrchamber.com, otrchamber@zoomtown.com or call 513-241-2690
*This post is from a press release by the 3CDC