Two-time Olympic medalist will be honored at Sept. 24 VIP event
AKRON, Ohio (Sept. 15, 2015) – The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation hasannounced that Frank Shorter is the recipient of the 2015 Akron Marathon Ambassador Award presented by Westfield Bank. Shorter is the only American to win two Olympic medals in the marathon, claiming gold in Munich, Germany in 1972 and silver four years later in Montreal, Canada.
Shorter also finished fifth in the 10,000-meter final in Munich en route to claiming the James E. Sullivan Award as the top U.S. amateur athlete in 1972. Shorter, who also won the 1969 NCAA 10,000-meter championship and five U.S. national titles at that distance (1970, ‘71, ’74, ’75 & ’77), was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984 and the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989.
“We’re thrilled to honor running luminary Frank Shorter with this year’s Ambassador Award,” said Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation Trustee Dave Hunter. “His Olympic victory in 1972 helped inspire a generation of runners and Frank is the epitome of all that this award stands for.”
The eighth Ambassador Award will be presented at an invitation-only VIP Reception on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Greystone Hall. This marks the second year Westfield Bank has served as the presenting sponsor of the award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions and lasting impacts to the sport of running. Past Ambassadors include Joan Benoit Samuelson, Kathrine Switzer, Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot, Hal Higdon, Craig Masback and Creigh Kelley.
“Westfield Bank takes great pride in sponsoring the Ambassador Award again,” said Westfield Bank President and CEO Jon Park. “Personally, I’m deeply honored to be able to recognize Frank Shorter as the only American to win multiple Olympic medals in the marathon.”
The inaugural Rubber City Race Series saw the Thirsty Dog 8k & 1-mile (June 27) and Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k (Aug. 15) both sell out their 3,000-participant caps. As of Wednesday (Sept. 9), the Full Marathon (83%), Half Marathon (86%) and Team Relay (72%) were all filling up fast. The Series dates were developed to help guide runners through a typical training schedule leading up to the marquee events on Sept. 26.
Registration closes Sept. 20 for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, and is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org.