AKRON, Ohio (October 24, 2018) – The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series wrapped up the season on Sept. 29 with a successful set of three races and eclipsed the million-dollar mark in event fundraising. The first two races in the 2018 series sold out with the half marathon reaching race capacity in the September event.
Every year, the Akron Marathon challenges runners to participate in all three legs of the race series. This year, 1,235 people completed the challenge and were assigned points based on placing and distances won. Today, the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation (AMCC) announced Emma McCarron of Mansfield took the women’s top spot with Akron’s own, Aiman Scullion winning the men’s division.
Both McCarron and Scullion won the series’ first two events – the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K. McCarron placed fourth in the FirstEnergy Half Marathon, with Scullion finishing the 13.1 miles in second place. David Powers of Troy and Teresa Ferguson of Akron were the Masters Division Race Series Champs.
Israel Merkle, the 2018 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon winner along with second place marathon finisher, Dylan Garritano both of Akron, placed second and third respectively on the series scoreboard. Becki Spellman of Galloway and Margaret Morgan of Rootstown, followed McCarron with second and third place finishes on the Women’s series leaderboard.
For the third year Akron Children’s Hospital, the title beneficiary of the Akron Marathon Race Series, selected 18 Hero Patients who have triumphed over their own medical challenges to cheer runners and walkers along the blue line at each of the races. This three-year partnership has raised $1.3 million for patient care programs at the hospital.
Part of putting on a world-class event means also considering the social, economic and environmental impacts of the race. In 2018, the Akron Marathon’s commitment to ensuring a green event started with diverting 89 percent of all race waste from the landfill. As a result of composting approximately 300 pounds of banana peels and upcycling energy bar wrappers and heat sheets, the series recycled 3.8 tons of material and donated 2,873 pounds of leftover food to a local shelter.
Series and race registration for the 2019 season will open in January 2019. The National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile, which is held at the University of Akron, will kick off the series on June 29. Goodyear World Headquarters will host the second race – the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k on Aug. 10. The series will conclude with the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on Sept. 28, 2019. Earlier this year, the AMCC announced that all three presenting race sponsors had renewed their commitments through 2021. Additional race information can be found by visiting www.akronmarathon.org.
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. The series features race dates in June (National Interstate 8k & 1-Mile) and August (Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k), culminating with the FirstEnergy Full Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run in September. Additional information is available at AkronMarathon.org or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).
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Media Contacts:
Toni Fink
Knox Marketing
440-785-4514
finkt@knoxmarketing.com