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WHEREAS, In 1912, the topography of the Beechview neighborhood of Pittsburgh so challenged the Fire Bureau that they could not use the normal horse and wagon used by firemen on our hills; and,
WHEREAS, almost a century later, on October 15, 2016, Beechview will issue a new challenge to the city and all who would dare to accept it, "Come to Beechview and conquer the world's steepest 5K race;" and,
WHEREAS, the race, dubbed "Hell on Hills" will begin at Canton Avenue, a road with a 37% grade that’s often called the steepest street in the world and the subject of a famous car commercial that went viral; and,
WHEREAS, runners will then tackle three more hills, including a quarter-mile leg on Bousted Street, whose 29% grade makes it another of the steepest streets in America; and,
WHEREAS, Hell on Hills also will run through Beechview's business district on Broadway Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, the race is being organized by a group of Beechview residents who are proud of Beechview's hilly topography and want to show people who may not be familiar with Beechview what an asset the neighborhood is to the City of Pittsburgh and the region as a whole; and,
WHEREAS, Beechview is only minutes away from Downtown via the “T” and is home to a diverse population in a neighborhood filled with hardworking people dedicated to helping others and improving the community they call home; and,
WHEREAS, runners and spectators should not be scared away by "Hell on Hills" intimidating name; and,
WHEREAS, race founder and runner Bethany Ruhe stresses that runners of all levels should feel welcome at "Hell on Hills" as the course is designed to be incredibly challenging, but doable. Non-runners are also welcome to come out and cheer on their friends, family, and other runners; and,
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Pittsburgh does thank the organizers for the blood, sweat and tears that went into bringing this race together; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare October 15, 2016 to be "Hell on Hills Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.