UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2021 

On behalf of the Akron Marathon Board of Directors and staff, we wanted to share our gratitude for your continued support as we navigate racing together during the pandemic.  

After two successful events in the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health, we have announced our marquee event, the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, & Team Relay on Sept. 25, 2021, will now require runners and volunteers to be fully vaccinated (with proof of a COVID-19 vaccination card) or have a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours before the race to participate. This protocol was updated to help protect the health and safety of the public in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases and is aligned with best practices for mass gatherings.  

As always, along with Summa Health, and FirstEnergy, we are working closely with the City of Akron and Summit County Public Health on race weekend plans that align with Summit County’s public health and safety efforts to protect its runners, volunteers, and spectators. Due to the increasing COVID-19 numbers and the Delta variant, new health requirements were added. 

Race activities may vary by event for the Akron Marathon Race Series, presented by Summa Health. Please visit the event specific webpage for the most recent information regarding our COVID-19 safety guidelines:  

Kids Fun Run on September 24, 2021 

FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on September 25, 2021  


UPDATED AUGUST 3, 2021

On behalf of the Akron Marathon Board of Directors and staff, we wanted to share our gratitude for your continued support as we navigate racing together during the pandemic. 

The Akron Marathon, Summa Health, and our presenting sponsors and partners observe the highest standards of health and safety, and we are working to deliver you safe and enjoyable race experiences.  

With the rise in COVID-19 cases across Ohio communities, and the country, we are working with event partners and venues to maintain the highest public health standards and ensure safety for all runners.

Race activities may vary by event for the Akron Marathon Race Series, presented by Summa Health. Please visit the event specific webpage for the most recent information regarding our COVID-19 safety guidelines: 

Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k on August 14, 2021

Kids Fun Run on September 24, 2021

FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on September 25, 2021


UPDATED JUNE 2, 2021

With new guidance from both the CDC and the state of Ohio in place, the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health has updated its Operational & Safety Guidelines to expand capacity, update mask guidelines, welcome spectators, and host its traditional finisher festivals. 

“While it is exciting to return to a sense of normalcy at our events, the health and safety of our participants and volunteers remain our top priority,” states 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.”  

Updates to the Operational & Safety Plan include: 

  • Capacity 
    • National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile: 2,150 participants 
    • Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k:  2,500 participants 
    • FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay: 8,500 participants 
    • Kids Fun Run presented by Akron Children’s Hospital:  1,000 participants 
  • Masks 
    • If you are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional.  
    • Attendees who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear face coverings throughout race areas unless actively running, eating, or drinking.   
    • Facial coverings do not apply to individuals under ten years of age or those individuals with a medical condition or disability. 
  • Social distancing is encouraged. 
  • Spectators 
    • No limits on spectators; spectator viewing areas vary by event. 
  • Suspended services 
    • COVID-19 screening 
    • Gear Check 
    • Pace Teams 
    • Elite Athlete Program 
  • Packet Pick-up 
    • Maintain pre-selected packet pick-up times  
    • No registration at packet pick-up or race day bib pick-up  
  • Start Line 
    • Runners will start in waves of 200-400 with 45 seconds between each wave. 
    • Start line will remain open 2 minutes after final wave for anyone that wants to maintain social distancing.  
  • Course  
    • Self-serve fluid stations 
  • Finish Line 
    • Post-race Finisher Festival returns with live band, food, and beer. 
    • Awards Ceremony returns 
  • Volunteers  
    • Safety kits will be distributed to all volunteers. 
    • Runners will follow a self-serve approach at various distribution points. 
  • Kids Fun Run 
    • Social distancing protocols will be in place based on the age of participants/access to vaccine. 

The following race dates are confirmed:  

  • National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile, June 26, 2021 
  • Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, Aug. 14, 2021 
  • Kids Fun Run presented by Akron Children’s Hospital, Sept. 24, 2021 
  • FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, Sept. 25, 2021 

Registration for all Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health events has reached over 60% capacity. For more information, race registration, and volunteer opportunities, please visit AkronMarathon.org. 


UPDATED MAY 18, 2021

The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation is reviewing the updated Ohio Department of Health orders and CDC guidelines and is working with event sponsors and venues on updating our Operational & Safety Plan. A revised plan will be shared with all participants once finalized.


UPDATED JANUARY 12, 2021

The Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health has been approved to return to live racing in 2021 by Summit County Public Health. Participants are asked to review the Operational & Safety Guide before registering for any 2021 event.

We are encouraging early registration to guarantee a spot, as we anticipate all events to sell out with limited space due to COVID-19. If the state of the pandemic subsides, additional spots may become available.

If the 2021 in-person events are canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all participants will be automatically converted to the virtual event. While we look forward to the return to live racing in 2021, a virtual option will be available for each series event.

Registration for the 2021 events will be through a tiered registration process, which opens to a limited group of eligible individuals based on previous participation and event deferment from the 2020 race on Jan. 13, 2021. The public registration window is set to open on Jan. 18, 2021.


UPDATED JUNE 16, 2020

The health and safety of our runners will always be the highest priority for the Akron Marathon.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, and related race weekend events including the Health & Fitness Expo and the Kids Fun Run scheduled for Sept. 25-26, will be held virtually.

The Akron Marathon staff conducted countless scenarios while working with the Summit County Public Health, City of Akron leaders, and race partners to determine any possible way to host its 18th annual event, and after months of conversation, the event was deemed too great a risk for runners and citizens.

Runners who have already registered for the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay or Kids Fun Run will have the option to keep their registration and participate virtually, 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.

Runners who have not yet registered, can register for the virtual experience through June 30 here.

We will be posting additional details, as they become available, that are pertinent to our community on our website and our social media channels.


UPDATED APRIL 23, 2020

The health and safety of our runners will always be the highest priority for the Akron Marathon.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation is canceling 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 August 8, 2020. The FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on September 26, remains as scheduled at this time.

The Akron Marathon and its medical team from Summa Health will continue working with infectious disease specialists, who are up-to-date on this outbreak, for any new information regarding its marquee event in September. The team is also working with local and state officials to understand the newest information and its implications, and the Akron Marathon will be updating protocols as new information becomes available.

While registration for the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series is officially closed at this time for the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, registration for the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay remains open through Sunday, September 20.

Runners that have already registered for the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile or Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k 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.

We will be posting additional details, as they become available, that are pertinent to our community on our website and our social media channels.


UPDATED MARCH 6, 2020

The health and safety of our runners will always be the highest priority for the Akron Marathon.

Given the current outbreak of COVID-19, the Akron Marathon and its medical team from Summa Health are working with infectious disease specialists who are up-to-date on this outbreak. We are also working with local and state officials to understand the newest information and its implications, and the Akron Marathon will be updating protocols as new information becomes available.

The Akron Marathon will be following the CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommendations and fine tuning those recommendations for what is happening at race time in Akron, Ohio. Currently, there are no schedule changes at this time. In the meantime, we advise that our runners take general precautions that help prevent the spread of viruses and illness. These measures include 1) coughing and sneezing into the bend of your elbow and not your hand, 2) washing hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds), and 3) staying home when you are sick—especially with a respiratory symptoms or fever.

We will be posting additional details, as they become available, that are pertinent to our community on our website and our social media channels.