Runners to Hit the Streets for the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile
AKRON, Ohio (June 6, 2017) – With training season in full swing, the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series is excited to welcome runners looking to set up their summer racing journey and invite the community to Race. Celebrate. Repeat across all three races this year.
The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series will kick-off with the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile on Saturday, June 24. The race course highlights The University of Akron’s campus and downtown Akron. Designed for speed, the course supports both runners and walkers finishing on the 50 yard line inside InfoCision Stadium. First-rate runner premiums, an after party with live music, food and 20 craft beer options await runners at the finish line.
“At National Interstate, we continue to place a growing emphasis on health and fitness. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor for the second year to this great kickoff race,” said Tony Mercurio, president and CEO of National Interstate. “National Interstate is committed to going the extra mile by staying engaged in the communities where we live and work. This race provides an excellent opportunity for our employees to get active, challenge themselves, support someone special, volunteer or just enjoy another incredible event in our community.”
The Akron Marathon Race Series serves as a major fundraiser for Akron Children’s Hospital in its efforts to serve the children and families of our community. The popular ‘Hero Zones’ are returning this year and celebrate children who have faced a difficult illness. This year, the National Interstate 8K & 1 Mile race will honor Akron 18-year-old Keegan Lind as its featured hero. This brave #ACHero experienced sudden onset Stevens-Johnson syndrome at age 10. After a scary several week stay at Akron Children’s, Keegan made a full recovery from this rare disorder and is now a thriving student at The University of Akron. Keegan will be joined by his family, including stepmom Heather Lind, a senior employee relations specialist at National Interstate, at a Hero Zone near InfoCision Stadium to inspire and cheer on runners at the June 24 race. To donate visit akronchildrens.org/champions.
“Fundraising in support of Akron Children’s Hospital is an important part of the series and mission of the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation,” said Anne Bitong, executive director of the Akron Marathon. “Our goal is to provide a world-class race experience for those who travel near and far to participate, and we want to truly showcase all that Akron has to offer, including Akron Children’s. We are known for staging unique, challenging and memorable races, bringing together exciting race settings from start through the finish, and this year is no different.”
Registration for all Akron Marathon Race Series events is available at AkronMarathon.org. Spots are limited and early registration is encouraged.
The 2017 race dates for the third running of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series are as follows: June 24 (National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile), August 12 (Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k) and September 23 (FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay). The three race sequence is designed to coincide with training benchmarks leading up to the 15th running of the marquee September race and will include cumulative scoring, incentives and additional special runner premiums for all who register for the entire series.