By: Jenessa Connor

Thirty days from now the post-Games excitement will have cooled down, but CrossFit 718 will be just getting warmed up! The Beat the Streets Throwdown and Block Party is shaping up to be both a serious competition and fun event for the CrossFit community in South Slope and beyond. Whether you’re competing, volunteering or planning to join the cheering section, you have six reasons to look forward to our annual event on July 30th.

1. The Community. When we say this is a community event, we mean it. Teams from 12 boxes located in Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Yonkers, Merrick and Oakland, California will be competing that day. You’ll have the chance to not only see how you measure up to local competition, but also network and make friends outside of our box.
2. The WODs. The WODs have been posted, and they’re good. The combination of events one and two will test each competitor’s strength and stamina.                                                                                                                                                          With both scaled and Rx divisions, there’s something for everyone. But don’t think the competitors in the scaled division are getting off easy – Coach Iz programmed scaled workouts that are both accessible AND spicy! If you think you’ve got what it takes, there are just two spots left for scaled teams. Find a partner and sign up today!
3. Your Friends and Family. Our box has a family-friendly environment, and that extends to our events and competitions. We encourage you to invite your friends and family, and show them what CrossFit is all about.
4. The Food.  Our friends at Kettlebell Kitchen will be on-site dishing out their Paleo goodness. Fuel up between events, get in some post-WOD nutrition or snack from the sidelines. If you haven’t tried the meal delivery service and are curious about what their food like (spoiler alert – it’s delicious), the Throwdown is a perfect opportunity to sample what they have to offer.
5. The Sponsors. Like we said, this Throwdown is truly a family affair. Our sponsors make this event possible, but they’re also fellow mom-and-pop businesses that we consider part of the 718 family. Take the opportunity to chat with local business owners Lauri and Ronny Schindler of The Park Slope Day Camp and Kenny Restrepo of Leathernecks Tattoo and learn about the services that they provide to the community. 
6. The Cause. It’s easy to get swept up in the spirit of competition and forget that the Throwdown is also a fundraiser. On July 30^th, your thrusters, burpees and double-unders will take on a whole new meaning as we WOD together to raise funds for The Kings County Kids Club, a nonprofit organization that provides fun and fitness to underserved kids and teens in our community. Our goal is to raise $2,000. Show up and help us get there!