Akron, OH (April 23, 2020) — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consistent with the City of Akron’s restriction of City-sponsored events of more than 250 people through Sept. 7, the first two races of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile on June 27, 2020, and the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k on Aug. 8, 2020, are canceled. The FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on Sept. 26, 2020, remains as scheduled at this time.
Runners that have already registered for the June or Aug. races will have the option to donate their registration fee or defer their entry to a future race. Race organizers will be reaching out to registered runners to communicate available options. Details on those options are available at AkronMarathon.org/covid-19.
The Akron Marathon, in collaboration with National Interstate Insurance and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, will donate funds that were allocated to t-shirts and medals to the Akron Community Foundation’s Community Response Fund for Nonprofits, a fund that supports local nonprofits assisting those who are most impacted by COVID-19. The minimum donation by the Akron Marathon will be $20,000. Runners who choose to donate their race entry will join the marathon in making an even bigger impact.
“When faced with the reality of canceling the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, we were compelled to make a deeper impact,” states Anne Bitong, president & CEO of the Akron Marathon. “This community is always proving itself, time and time again, as one that stays together—even when apart, and we are proud to show our Blue Line support to those on the front lines.”
The Akron Marathon and its medical team from Summa Health will continue to monitor government and CDC guidelines for mass gatherings and will provide updates on future races as information becomes available.
“We are looking forward to coming together on the Blue Line, and we will do so only when we can provide a safe, well-organized race for our runners,” said Bitong.
For more information on the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series please visit AkronMarathon.org.