Release Date: June 21,2021
2021 Akron Marathon Race Series Presented by SUMMA HEALTH Set to Kick Off June 26
Akron, OH (June 17, 2021) — For the sixth year, the Akron Marathon Race Series is excited to welcome runners beginning their summer racing journeys during the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile on Sat., June 26, 2021, at 7:30 a.m.
This year, its team is also thrilled to be joined by Summa Health as the presenting sponsor of its series. The Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health continues its goal of encouraging participation of all fitness levels. As a three-event race series with distances ranging from one mile to a full marathon, runners are encouraged to choose the series distances that suit their personal goals.
With new guidance from both the CDC and the state of Ohio in place, the Akron Marathon has updated its Operational & Safety Guidelines to expand capacity, update mask guidelines, welcome spectators and host its traditional finisher festival. 2021 event changes:
• If you are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional.
• Attendees who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings throughout race areas unless actively running, eating, or drinking.
• Certain services have been suspended including gear check and pace teams.
• Both virtual and in-person races are available for all events.
• The race will start with 10 separate waves, with runners from National Interstate leading each wave. There will be 200 participants per wave, and each wave will take approximately 45 seconds to start.
o Each wave will be walked up to the start line, be held for 45 seconds, and have their own starting commands.
“While it is exciting to return to a sense of normalcy at our events and welcome a deeper partnership with Summa Health, the health and safety of our participants and volunteers remain our top priority,” Anne Bitong, president and CEO of the Akron Marathon. “We will move forward with a hybrid approach, keeping several mitigation strategies in place and encouraging everyone who attends our events to be mindful and respectful of others’ personal space.”
The National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile course highlights The University of Akron’s campus with a unique tour of downtown Akron including the new Main Street. Although it is designed for speed, the course supports both runners and walkers on their way to the finish on Summa Field inside InfoCision Stadium.
“National Interstate Insurance has been a proud supporter of the Akron Marathon Race Series for several years,” stated Tony Prinzo, AVP, human resources at National Interstate Insurance Company. “This year is extra rewarding as we emerge from the pandemic and are able to enjoy the sense of community that the race series creates. It is always exciting for us on race day and we look forward to spending this year’s 8k and 1 Mile reconnecting with the community and enjoying a great day of festivities.”
The 8k and 1 Mile race will start at the intersection of Union Street and Exchange Street at 7:30 a.m.
Optimal points for viewing runners can be found in the following locations:
• Outside the InfoCision Stadium on Brown Street.
• After the start, walk one block east to Spicer Street to see the runners at Mile 1.
• From Spicer, head back towards the Start Line and utilize Gate 1 to enter the stadium
“We are extremely excited to be the presenting sponsor for the 2021 Akron Marathon Race Series and for the upcoming National Interstate 8k and 1 Mile kickoff event,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, Summa Health president and CEO. “Getting back to a sense of normalcy, while continuing to practice all necessary safety measures, is an important step for our community. I thank the event organizers for their thoughtfulness in designing a safe event and I wish all participants the very best throughout the entire series.”
The following race dates are confirmed: Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, Aug. 14, 2021, and FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, Sept. 25, 2021.
For more information about the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health, please visit AkronMarathon.org.
# # # About the Akron Marathon Race Series The Akron Marathon Race Series is organized by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, a nonprofit group founded in 2002 to provide a world-class marathon and other events that promote health and fitness, stimulate the local economy, galvanize the community and benefit charitable organizations. The series features race dates in June (National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile) and August (Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k), culminating with the 19th running of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run in September. Additional information is available at AkronMarathon.org or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).
About Summa Health Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and the Summa Health Foundation, we are nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa’s clinical services are consistently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet status), U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit summahealth.org or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/summahealth and Twitter, twitter.com/summahealth.