Suicide derby

The "Manayunk Wall" is an inclined street, comprising all of Levering Avenue and a few blocks of Lyceum Avenue, that is a part of the Philadelphia International Championship. The Philadelphia International Championship has become the final leg of a one-week, 3-race circuit called the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling., an annual one day bicycle race. The "wall" begins at Main Street in Manayunk and most years ends at Pechin Street in Roxborough.

The Downhill Race

At midnight, the morning of the International Championship an unsanctioned race down the wall has taken place since 1996. It is known to organizers and participants as "The Downhill." The race was conceived at a local drinking establishment, The Dawson Street Pub. Racers gather at The Pub before the race and then walk in unison to "The Wall." The race starts at Manayunk Avenue and Lyceum Avenue and continues to the bottom of the hill or until where police have the street blocked off. Some of the vehicles used in the race include; BMX bikes, tricycles, shopping carts, wheelchairs, skateboards, bed frames, roller skates, flaming couches, vacuum cleaners, lawn chairs with skateboads duct taped to the bottom of them, and a bath tub. After being promoted on a local radio station in 2003, the event has grown in popularity and in 2006 several thousand spectators attended. Injuries and arrests are common. In 2007, racers were not allowed down the hill and police broke up any attempts. One lone bicyclist and a leprechaun duo went down. All except the leprechaun were arrested.

See also

• Philadelphia International Championship
• Brenus apparel
• Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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