AKRON, OH (Aug. 10, 2024) — Nearly 2,300 athletes came together at Goodyear’s Akron Proving Grounds Test Track for the second event in the 10th annual Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health on Sat., Aug. 10, 2024, beginning at 6:30 a.m.

The Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k welcomed participants from ages 5 to 81, from 29 states and 4 countries. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company proudly announced the extension of its presenting sponsorship through 2027, in celebration of the 10th year.

Israel Merkle and Andrea Klima were the Goodyear Half Marathon men’s and women’s division winners, finishing at 1:12:04 and 1:21:07. The men’s 10k winner, Luke Hickman, finished with a time of 31:51, and the women’s 10k winner, Ashton Swinford, finished with a time of 36:40.

Charles Novak secured first place in the 10k Men’s Masters, marking his fourth win since 2015— one as the overall champion and three as the Masters champion.

In the newly introduced non-binary category, Grace Barnard from Stow claimed first place in the Half Marathon, and Matthew Nyce from Mayfield Heights excelled in the 10k, reflecting our ongoing commitment to inclusivity.

The day’s winners included: 

HALF MARATHON FINAL RESULTS

MALE OVERALL – 

1. Israel Merkle, Akron, 1:12:04

2. Nick Reimund, Akron, 1:14:37

3. Dylan Garritano, Akron, 1:17:07

FEMALE OVERALL –

1. Andrea Klima, Independence, 1:21:07

2. Jo Line, Akron, 1:23:16

3. Catherina Joecken, Bay Village, 1:24:15

MASTERS MALE –

1. Josh Bogner, Mentor, 1:23:40

2. Brian Castro, Northfield, 1:26:46

3. Volker Keim, Dusseldor, NR, 1:27:39

MASTERS FEMALE –

1. Teresa Ferguson, Akron, 1:33:02

2. Holly Wierzbicki, Uniontown, 1:38:16

3. Pam Smith, Salem, OR, 1:39:50

NON-BINARY –

1. Grace Barnard, Stow, 2:42:02

 

10K FINAL RESULTS:

MALE OVERALL –

1. Luke Hickman, Mentor, 31:51

2. Ryan Grotenrath, Lakewood, 32:00

3. Nick Marino, Stow, 32:41

FEMALE OVERALL –

1. Ashton Swinford, Hudson, 36:40

2. Sarah Hixson, Poland, 41:16

3. Charlene Schultz, Akron, 41:40

MASTERS MALE –

1. Charles Novak, Cuyahoga Falls, 37:47

2. Jeff Kavali, Ravenna, 38:46

3. Michael E. Faber, Cuyahoga Falls, 38:56

MASTERS FEMALE –

1. Kristi Gunyula, Kent, 44:29

2. Bethany Dension-Gray, Akron, 45:54

3. Sara Hoover, Alliance, 46:39

NON-BINARY –

1. Matthew Nyce, Mayfield Heights, 46:29

2. Laurel Potter, St. Paul, MN, 1:09:41

3. Katelyn Gress, Akron, 1:27:41

For race registration and volunteer opportunities for the final race series event, visit AkronMarathon.org. The culminating event, the 22nd annual FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, & Team Relay, will take place on Sept. 28th, 2024.