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