2020 Akron Marathon Official Program and Events Guide

A Virtual Experience!

2020 Akron Marathon Official Program and Events Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation Board & Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Mission/Vision Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Virtual Race Tips from the Medical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 First Time Marathoners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Virtual Race Tool Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Event Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2

AkronMarathon.org

WELCOME Dear Blue Liners, Congratulations for staying true to your fitness goals, and thank you so much for joining us for the 2020 Akron Marathon Blue Line Remix, a Virtual Experience!

Like you, we’re counting the days until our return to racing along our famous Blue Line. While racing may look different this year, we remain dedicated to the mission of the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation and promoting active lifestyles for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged so many nonprofit organizations in our community, and our Akron Marathon is not immune to those challenges. However, we’re choosing to focus on the positive outcomes of this pandemic. We want to give a special shout-out to: • The increased number of runners and walkers in our community and especially the 93 firsttime marathoners (see page 6 & 7 for a complete list) that are choosing to go for 26.2 virtually.

Amazing!

• The Blue Line community that joined us, along with our partners, for the Akron Running Project and engaged with us all summer. You gave us something to hold on to, and we thank you!

• Our amazing partners who continued to support their hometown marathon knowing that when racing returns, we will be back stronger than ever!

• Our dedicated board and staff whose passion and creativity reimagined the race experience with the goal of going above and beyond the typical virtual race standard. They’re bringing you a Blue Line Remix experience that you would only expect from the Akron Marathon.

While choosing to focus on the positive, it’s equally important to be transparent and share that the Akron Marathon has been significantly impacted as a result of COVID-19. We ask that you join us, if you are in a position to do so, in making a charitable donation to support our beloved Akron Marathon before the year’s end.

Donations can be made online at AkronMarathon.org/donate/ Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check directly to: Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation Attn: Covid Relief Fund 155 E. Voris Street Akron, OH 44311 Together with your help, we will be here for the long haul and the long run.

Sincerely,

Steve & Jeannine Marks Race Co-Founders

AkronMarathon.org

3

AKRON MARATHON CHARITABLE CORPORATION BOARD & STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

Steve Marks Jeannine Marks

Anne Bitong

Race Co-Founders

Laura McElrath

J. Bret Treier Chairman

Michael Bullock Amy Freeman David Hunter Melissa Johnson Don Luscher Richard Merolla Judge Jon Oldham Dr. Nilesh Shah Jim Barnett Emeritus

4

AkronMarathon.org

President & CEO Vice President, Operations

Carrie Washnock Vice President, Customer Success

Verrelle Wyatt Race Director

Katie Riley Community Outreach Director

Lauren Toole Marketing & Communications Director

MISSION/VISION STATEMENTS

MISSION STATEMENT The Akron Marathon is hosted by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, an Ohio nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation.

The mission of the Akron Marathon is 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.

VISION STATEMENT To create and manage dynamic, customer centric events and programs that deliver opportunities to promote active lifestyles for all.

AkronMarathon.org

5

VIRTUAL RACE TIPS FROM We at the Akron Marathon in conjunction with Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine want to provide you with some tips for your virtual races to help you have a great experience and be safe at the same time.

Here are some tips to consider: 1. U nlike on race day, there will be no road closures. Consider picking a course with sidewalks and little traffic, or plan your event for as early in the day as possible to limit your interactions with traffic. However, don’t pick a course that is very remote where emergency vehicles may have difficulty reaching you (for instance, on very remote trails).

If you’re running very early in the morning or at dusk, we recommend you wear a reflective vest and a headlamp.

2. There will be no water or aid on the course for you. Plan on a course that takes multiple smaller loops so you can hydrate properly and take in nutrition as needed. This will also make it easier for family and friends to cheer you on multiple times from one location.

3. If you choose a course that is an out-and-back or a large loop (or even if you get driven out to a start line to do a point-to-point course) consider running with your fully-charged phone just in case you need to call for help.

4. One of the best course options is to run by your home – you have a built-in cheering section with family and neighbors, a personal bathroom if needed, and hydration and fueling provided by your family.

5. Consider running your virtual race with a partner of similar ability so you can work together (using smart social distancing). That way you’ll have a “buddy” who can help you if you get into trouble.

FIRST TIME M Kathryn Ackerman Marc Armbrecht Scott Beckett Katy Bright Christopher Brown Bradley Burdine Seth Bush Kelly Carpenter Autumn Caudill Bonnie Chandler Adam Dadich Hannah Dooley

6

AkronMarathon.org

Brent Dube Davea Dubetz Mikaela Etapa Matthew Everett Kelli Fetter Brian Finks Matthew Flowers Aaron Foutz Kim Frazee Stephen Fuller Dennis Grencewicz Jamie Gyhra

Michael Hackett Sharlene Harding Grace Harry Ashley Henson Shawn Humphrey Eric Jackson Carrie Jacobs Karolina Jones Kimberly Kasparek Kendall Kelly Jimmy Kemper Nicole Kessinger

Colleen Kingan Alexander Kohler Matthew Kress Christopher Lantz Georgetta Lawrence Matthew Lazzaro Nicole Lazzaro Jami Little Shawn Marks Joy Martin Nate Mast

THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR 6. C onsider running a course that may take you by a restroom, as you never know if you will need one. You probably should have a mask with you as well, or you may not be allowed to use the restroom at some public locations. Carry hand sanitizer as well.

7. Pick a date to keep yourself accountable, but be flexible. If the weather is not cooperating, have the flexibility to choose another date for your virtual race.

8. I f you have a pre-race routine, stick to it. That includes your pre-race hydration and fueling.

9. Give yourself time for a warm-up if you typically do one before a race.

10. I f you want a race “course” with a very controlled environment in terms of temperature, terrain and availability of hydration, fuel and restrooms, consider running your virtual race on a treadmill. Most runners would never consider this, but don’t forget it as a possible option.

Good luck and stay safe!

Nilesh Shah, M.D. Medical Director, Summa Health Sports Medicine Fellowship Director, Summa Health Sports Medicine Fellowship

ARATHONERS Kayla Matthews Carolyn McNeeley Kelsey Merritt Judith Meyer Jonathan Miller Amanda Munson Taylor Neininger Paul Noonan Elise Noyes Joe Nutter Greg Nyburg

Sally Nyburg Ryan Oberheu Alaina Ondash Erin Palmer Joseph Palmer Jenny Pichura Carly Positano Philip Rickaby Janet Ruedlinger Courtney Ruggaber Matt Salyer Shelley Saunders

Bradley Sayre Kyle Scelza Ryan Schlitter Jocelyn Scott Lorie Shreiner Arin Sloan Jasen Sokol Michael Spradlin Truda Stahl Jeffrey Stewart Jamie Taylor Sara Thorn

Chad Tremaine Deanna Tribett Allen Vaccarelli Dale Van Niel Doug Varnam Emma Webb Timothy Webel Patricia Weckerly Isaiah Williams Kamaria Wolf Jeffrey Young

AkronMarathon.org

7

VIRTUAL RACE TOOL KIT The Akron Marathon will be emailing all runners the week of September 21 with their personalized Virtual Race Tool Kit so make sure to check your inbox!

This email will contain customized links that will connect your registration with your results page, provide step by step instructions and more!

We encourage you to make this year’s race your own and have developed the following guidelines to answer common questions.

When: You can run/walk your race between September 26 – October 31, 2020.

How does it work: A Virtual Race is a race you can run at any location, at your pace, outside or on a treadmill. You will run the race distance you registered for and upload your finishing time. We suggest that all runners follow recommendations as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We ask that you do not use the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay course route, as it is not pedestrian safe without the usual race day street closures and safety assistance with traffic.

Submit your time: You have 2 options to record your time. Again, be sure to check your email the week of September 21 which will include step by step instructions with easy, personalized links to enter your results.

Option 1: Track with the Runkeeper app

Option 2: Manually Post Results

1. Download the Runkeeper app and link your registration

If you plan to record your race using another software or tracking device and need to post manually, follow these steps:

2. Start Your Race / Record Your Participation a. Open the Runkeeper app on your mobile device b. Click the start button c. Tap the in-app checkered flag and select your event d. Click start your race button e. Once you have finished running, click stop and save f. Your time will automatically be uploaded to your results page and you will receive an email with a link to view your results and custom finishers certificate.

8

AkronMarathon.org

1. Visit akronmarathon.org/raceseries/results/ 2. C lick the 2020 Virtual Results Box which will open to the results page 3. Click “Submit Virtual Result”. Your confirmation number and last name will need to be entered to confirm your registration before submitting your results.

4. Once your registration is confirmed you will be prompted to enter your results.

5. A fter your results are submitted, you will be able to view your results and custom finishers certificate.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, September 25 As part of the Akron Marathon Blue Line Remix, we are transforming our annual Health & Fitness Expo to a Virtual Experience featuring a full schedule of events including speakers from our Main Stage, a Vendor Village, and more!

• 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Presentations from the Main Stage (see schedule below) • 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Vendor Village Hours • 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Yoga Practice presented by Yoga Bliss • 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. -Vendor Village Hours Main Stage Schedule • 10:00 a.m. - Welcome Messages • 2:30 p.m. - Akron Children’s Hospital Children’s Champion • 10:30 a.m. - Blue Line Remix Breakdown: What’s in your Blue • 3:00 p.m. - Race Morning Routine Line Box? How do I enter my presented by Run Well Be Well virtual Race Results and more!

• 3:30 p.m. - Post-Race Recovery • 11:00 a.m. - Virtual Race Day Tips presented by Physio Balance & presented by Summa Health Orange Theory • 12:00 p.m. - Yoga Practice •4 :00 p.m. - Get Social, Get Rewarded! presented by Yoga Bliss Post your pictures for prizes!

• 1 :00 p.m. - Race Day Nutrition • 4:30 p.m. - Happy Hour with PLX presented by Featherstone Nutrition and Second Sole: Race day strategy, keeping pace and more!

• 1:30 p.m. - Inspirational Runner Interviews with Jasen Sokol, Race • 5:30 p.m. - Victory Lap at DORA Announcer presented by Downtown Akron Partnership • 2:00 p.m. - Official Akron Marathon Merchandise Preview • 6:00 p.m. - Good Luck Message from Verrelle Wyatt, Race Director Saturday, September 26 The Akron Marathon will be sharing digital content all morning via Facebook @runAkron and Instagram @AkronMarathon. Be sure to follow and tag us in your posts using #runAkron.

• 6:00 a.m. - Motivational Video presented by Pritt Entertainment Group • 6:30 a.m. - Pre-Race Announcements & Playlist available on Akron Marathon Spotify Channel • 7:00 a.m. - Official Race Start Video • 2:00 p.m. - Post-Race Virtual Concert featuring Roxxymoron • 5:00 p.m. - Victory Lap at DORA presented by AkronMarathon.org 9 Downtown Akron Partnership

EVENT SPONSORS Race Series Beneficiary

Presenting Sponsor

Founding Sponsors

Blue Line Remix Partners

Official Sponsors • Amp Strategy

• MacTac

• Boggess Foundation

•O hio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists

• Bridgestone • Brouse McDowell

• Oswald Companies

•K enneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust

• Pritt Entertainment Group • Roger Read

• Downtown Akron Partnership

•S T&P Marketing Communications

• Embrace Pet Insurance •H arwick Standard Distribution Corporation • The Lehner Foundation

• Summit I.T. Soluntions •W omen’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital

AkronMarathon.org

11

JOIN US

for all 3 events in the series.

National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile

06.26.21

Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k

08.14.21

FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay

09.25.21