9/29/2011 - West Side Leader
By Kathleen Collins
More than 13,000 participants, 3,000 volunteers and 100,000 spectators lined the streets of Akron Sept. 24 to take part in the ninth annual Akron Marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable.
The participation level set a record for the Akron Marathon for the ninth year in a row, according to marathon officials. Marathon events included the full marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable; half marathon, presented by Acme Fresh Markets; the five-person team relay, presented by Novo Nordisk; and the Kids Fun Run.
South Broadway was filled with runners at the start of the marathon, as shown at right middle.
Among the local runners who got off to a strong start were Joe Booth Jr., of Akron, shown at right top just after the start, who competed in the full marathon wheelchair division. He placed first with a time of 4:56:38.
According to marathon officials, Peter Kemboi, shown at left, was the overall winner for the men with a time of 2:22:46. Becki Michael, of Bellbrook, shown at right bottom in the photo at right, with her mother, Denise Calabretta, of Alliance, after the finish, was the overall winner for the women. She won with a time of 2:45:57.
In addition, approximately 1,914 children and parents participated in the Kids Fun Run for those ages 14 and younger.
Throughout the 26-mile route, which winds through the city of Akron, spectators cheered on runners, who were entertained by local performers.
For complete results, go to the website www.akronmarathon.org.
