FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
Q: How do I register my company for the Corporate Challenge Program?
A: To register, complete the Corporate Challenge Program Application.
Q: Is there a cost involved in this program?
A: Race registration fees apply but there is no additional cost for a Company to participate in the Corporate Challenge Program.
Q: Will our runners get a discounted race entry as part of the program?
A: No, there is no registration discount for Corporate Challenge Program participants. However, some companies pay or reimburse race entry fees as part of their Corporate Wellness Program. Prior to registering, check to see if your company offers this benefit. Early registration receives the best rates.
| Event Date | Distance | 1/10 – 1/31 | 2/1 – 4/30 | 5/1 – 6/30 | 7/1 – 8/12 | 8/13 – 9/22 | Packet Pick Up |
| 6/28/24 | 1 Mile | $25 | $25 | $25 | – | – | $30 |
| 6/29/24 | 8k | $50 | $55 | $60 | – | – | $70 |
| 8/10/24 | 10k | $55 | $60 | $65 | $70 | – | $75 |
| 8/10/24 | Half Marathon | $85 | $90 | $95 | $105 | – | $110 |
| 9/28/24 | Relay | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65 | $65 | $75 |
| 9/28/24 | Half Marathon | $85 | $90 | $95 | $105 | $115 | $115 |
| 9/28/24 | Marathon | $105 | $115 | $120 | $130 | $140 | $140 |
Q: Can my company cover all or part of the registration fees?
A: Yes! Contact Carrie Washnock who can set up a registration code that you can give to your employees. This code can cover all or part of the registration cost. Your company will then be invoiced for your registrations.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of corporations accepted into the program?
A: No, the Corporate Challenge Program is open to all interested companies.
Q: Can we recruit friends and family members to participate for our company?
A: No, we ask that you limit your recruitment to your company team members only.
Q: Do all race participants have to be runners?
A: No! Runners, walkers, and run/walkers are all welcome to participate as long as they can complete the race by course closure time. Course closure times vary by event.
Q: Is the Corporate Challenge available for all Akron Marathon Race Series events?
A: Yes, all events in the Akron Marathon Race Series are open to Corporate Challenge participants.
- National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile – June 28 & 29, 2024
- Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k – August 10, 2024
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay – September 28, 2024
Q: Will the Akron Marathon promote participating corporations?
A: The companies taking part in the Corporate Challenge Program will be listed on the Akron Marathon website and there will be a post-race announcement of the Corporate Challenge Program award winners.
Q: Are there different divisions for small and large companies?
A: All companies competing in the Corporate Challenge will select their company size when applying for the program. Awards will be based on company size/number of participants.
Q: Can the same people volunteer one day and race the next day?
A: Absolutely. The Akron Marathon needs more than 1,500 volunteers throughout the Race Series. We need volunteers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Visit www.akronmarathon.org/volunteers for volunteer opportunities and job descriptions.
Q: When will the winner be announced?
A: The winner of the Corporate Challenge Program will be announced in October.
Q: What is the prize for winning?
A: Companies with the highest number of participants in their division will win a custom award. All employees must have a finishing time for their participation to be included in the final results.
Q: Are there any other awards?
A: Yes! Companies will also be competing for the following awards:
- Fastest Corporate Relay Team Award (men’s, women’s, mixed)
- Spirit Award
- Extra Mile Awards
- Most dollars raised for charity through Akron Marathon’s charity partner platform
- Most volunteers recruited through Akron Marathon’s volunteer platform
GETTING STARTED
Q: What’s the best way to recruit participants?
A:
- Complete the Application to be an official Corporate Challenge participant.
- If you are planning to subsidize the employee’s race entry fees, contact the Akron Marathon at info@akronmarathon.org to request a registration code.
- Announce your involvement in the Akron Marathon Race Series Corporate Challenge via a corporate newsletter or internal post. Communicate that the event is open to walkers and runners regardless of fitness level. Provide registration code (if applicable), link to register (https://www.akronmarathon.org/register/), employee program benefits, and any additional company perks that you have established. Determine if registration is open to employees only or friends and family.
- When employees register for the race(s), they should choose the organization’s name from the drop-down box in the Corporate Challenge Program section of the registration page. Only registered companies will appear in the drop-down box. If your runners registered without choosing your organization, send Katie Riley a list of registered runners and we will update their registration to indicate that they are running for your company.
- Incorporate participation in the Akron Marathon Race Series as part of your Corporate Wellness Program.
Q: When do I need to register my company by?
A: Registration for the Corporate Challenge Program is now open and closes September 1.
Q: When does race registration open?
A: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Q: When do all of my employees have to be registered by?
A: We encourage registration by April 1, so employees receive training information and tips; however, registration closes 1-week before each event.
Q: Will registration spots be held for Corporate Challenge Program participants?
Q: Will our runners get a discounted race entry as part of the program?
A: No, there is no registration discount for Corporate Challenge Program participants. However, some companies pay or reimburse race entry fees as part of their Corporate Wellness Program. Prior to registering, check to see if your company offers this benefit. Early registration receives the best rates.
| Event Date | Distance | 1/10 – 1/31 | 2/1 – 4/30 | 5/1 – 6/30 | 7/1 – 8/12 | 8/13 – 9/22 | Packet Pick Up |
| 6/28/24 | 1 Mile | $25 | $25 | $25 | – | – | $30 |
| 6/28/24 | 8k | $50 | $55 | $60 | – | – | $70 |
| 8/10/24 | 10k | $55 | $60 | $65 | $70 | – | $75 |
| 8/10/24 | Half Marathon | $85 | $90 | $95 | $105 | – | $110 |
| 9/28/24 | Relay | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65 | $65 | $75 |
| 9/28/24 | Half Marathon | $85 | $90 | $95 | $105 | $115 | $115 |
| 9/28/24 | Marathon | $105 | $115 | $120 | $130 | $140 | $140 |
Q: Can my company cover all or part of the registration fees?
A: Yes! Contact Carrie Washnock who can set up a registration code that you can give to your employees. This code can cover all or part of the registration cost. Your company will then be invoiced for your registrations.
Q: Can we promote our partnership on social media?
Q: How do my volunteers sign up to volunteer for my organization?
A: Volunteers can visit www.akronmarathon.org/volunteers for volunteer opportunities and job descriptions. When your volunteers sign up, they will simply choose your organization from the drop-down box in the Corporate Challenge Program section of volunteer registration. If your volunteers signed up without choosing your organization, send Katie Riley a list of registered volunteers and we will note that they are volunteering on behalf of your organization.
FUNDRAISING
Q: Is there a specific fundraising platform that companies and runners should use?
A: Yes, the registration platform that the Akron Marathon uses, Race Roster, automatically creates each runner a fundraising page. Each runner can customize their page and choose the charity of their choice from the list of Blue Line Charity partners.
Q: How does my company choose a charity to fundraise for?
A: Companies are welcome to choose any charity they would like to raise funds for or let their runners decided individually who they would like to fundraise for. However, the Akron Marathon strongly encourages Corporate Challenge participants to choose one of the charities in the Blue Line Charity Program. A list of Blue Line Charity partners can be found on our website.
Q: Does the Akron Marathon keep any of the money my organization raises?
A: No, all funds raised go directly to the charity through Race Roster.
Q: Do my runners have a fundraising requirement?
A: The Akron Marathon does not require fundraising. The decision to fundraise is completely up to the company and/or participant.
Q: How should my runners fundraise?
A: Utilizing the Akron Marathon’s fundraising platform, Race Roster, those fundraising are able to easily email potential donors, post to social media sites, and keep track of the funds they have raised all from their fundraising page.