Early bird pricing available opening weekend
AKRON, Ohio (Dec. 17, 2015) – Ready, set, register! The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series will open registration for the 2016 events on Friday, Jan. 8 at 12:01 a.m. The 2016 race events are slated for June 25 (8k and 1-Mile), August 13 (Half Marathon and 10k presented by Goodyear) and September 24 (Marathon, Half Marathon, & Team Relay presented by FirstEnergy).
To celebrate the opening of registration, there will be an early bird pricing promotion starting Friday, Jan. 8 and ending Sunday, Jan. 10 at 11:59 p.m. Runners signing up for the entire series on the opening weekend will automatically be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a free pair of shoes from Vertical Runner. Three winners will be chosen at random for a free pair of shoes. Registration will be available at www.AkronMarathon.org.
“We’re excited to kick off 2016 by opening registration for the second edition of the series,” said Anne Bitong, president and executive director of the Akron Marathon. “Having prominent community pillars such as Akron Children’s Hospital, FirstEnergy and Goodyear on board as partners will only continue to elevate the experience for our participants, spectators and volunteers.”
The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation announced in September that it had agreed to a five-year partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital. The partnership gives the hospital title beneficiary rights to the race series, and has already enhanced the sponsorship and fundraising aspects of the race series.
In October, the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series introduced FirstEnergy Corp. as the presenting sponsor of the Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay. In addition, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will return as the presenting sponsor for the Half Marathon and 10k in 2016. The series is still seeking a presenting sponsor for June’s 8k and 1-Mile.
Known as the Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series in 2015, more than 20,000 runners participated across the three events. The series dates were developed to help guide runners through a typical training schedule leading up to the marquee events.
About the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series
The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series is organized by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, a non-profit 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. 2015 marked the 13th running of September’s marquee event (Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run), which has grown by more than 300 percent since its inception in 2003. The series featured new race dates in June (8k & 1-Mile) and August (Half Marathon & 10k), providing greater opportunity for participation on all levels in the sport of running. Additional information is available at www.akronmarathon.org or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).
About Akron Children’s Hospital
Ranked among the best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Akron Children’s Hospital is the fastest growing children’s hospital in the U.S. according to Modern Healthcare. We own and operate two pediatric hospitals in northeast Ohio and more than 80 primary and subspecialty care locations. We have the second busiest emergency department in the state and perform more pediatric surgeries than any other hospital in northeast Ohio. With more than 800,000 patient visits each year, we’ve been leading the way to healthier futures for children and communities through expert medical care, prevention and wellness programs since 1890. Learn more at akronchildrens.org.