Event Description

When local boxing great and west-end resident Ezzard Charles, the “Cobra”, prepared for boxing matches, he’d run on the streets and in the Parks of Cincinnati.  Follow in Ezz’s footsteps on Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 am at the CINCINNATI COBRA RACE on the Crosstown Climb. 

Thanks to a collaboration between the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and go Vibrant, the “Crosstown Climb” route is a moderate 2.42-mile climb from Laurel Park to Eden Park and back.  The race covers roughly 5 miles.  

The race kicks off the Ezzard Charles Statue Dedication at Laurel Park following the race at 10:30 am, followed by the annual Ezz Fest, a west-end community festival celebrating the life and legacy of Ezz, at noon.  Race participants are encouraged to stay for the festivities.  

Start times:  7:30 am – “CINCINNATI COBRA RACE on the Crosstown Climb” race start

Packet Pick-Up: 7 am – CINCINNATI COBRA RACE on the Crosstown Climb Packet Pickup(includes t-shirt and Cincinnati Parks Foundation sweat bands); Laurel Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati, OH  45214

Following Divisions: Cincinnati COBRA Badges – Like the heavyweight title belt that Ezzard Charles (Ezz) proudly wore, the
Cincinnati COBRA Badges represent various virtues and facets of our beloved hero. Explore all four
badges along the COBRA route during the race.

Champ - Male 1-35
Heart - Male 36+
Soul- Female 1-35
Spirit - Female 36+

Walker Divisions: Welcome at the back of the pack

Legend – Male
Legacy - Female

$25 (includes t-shirt and Cincinnati Parks Foundation sweat bands)

All race proceeds will be donated to the maintenance of Laurel Park through the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the primary philanthropic partner of the Cincinnati Parks.  An additional donation is not required to register for the race.