CANCELLATION & VIRTUAL RACE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay Cancellation & Virtual Race Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are my options for my registration fee since the race I registered for cannot take place in-person?

A: There are 3 options: 

  1. Virtual Race Option 
  2. If you are able, you can turn your registration fee into a donation to Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation.  
  3. Defer your registration fee towards a 2021 Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series event of your choice. 

      Future Akron Marathon Race Series Dates:      

2021 National Interstate 8k & 1 mile on 6/26/2021  

2021 Goodyear Half Marathon 10k on 8/14/2021  

2021 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay on 9/25/2021  

Q: How do I make my selection to participate virtually, defer or donate my registration fee? Is there a deadline to make this decision?

A: Please follow the steps below & complete by June 30, 2020: 

  1. Visit your participant dashboard and sign-in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with in order to make your selection. 
  2. Click “Edit registration” on the right 
  3. Select the “Registration questions” tab 
  4. Find the question, “I would like to do the following with my 2020 registration fee”. Here you will see 3 options; VirtualDonate or Defer. If you select defer, a drop-down box will allow you to choose the event you would like to defer your registration fee to. If you select virtual, you will need to sign the virtual waiver & confirm your mailing address. Marathoners & Half Marathoners will also need to select their sock size. 
  5. Click the “Save & Exit” to submit your change. 

View this video for step by step instructionsIf you have trouble accessing your account you can call our registration partner, Race Roster at 1-855-969-5515 or email us info@akronmarathon.org. 

Q: What is a virtual race?

A: 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 and upload your finishing time.

We suggest that all runners followrecommendations 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. 

Q: I am NOT registered for the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay but would like to participate virtually. How can I?

A: You will need to register for the virtual event/distance of your choice. Registration has been EXTENDED through Monday, July 6, 2020!

Q: How do I submit my time for my virtual race? Is there a deadline to participate/ submit my time?

A: All virtual participants will receive a link and instructions on how to submit their time. You can run/walk your race any day between September 26 – October 31, 2020. Additional details and instructions will be emailed to you.

Q: I’m on a relay team, and we all want to run virtually. What do we do?

A: Each runner will need to edit their registration to participate virtually. Relay team members will run their legs/distance at a time & place of your choice.  Each virtual relay participant will receive their race premiums.Each team member will need to submit their time.  

Q: I was originally registered as part of a relay team, but my team is not complete, or my teammates do not wish to participate virtually, and I still want to run virtually. What do I do?

A: Each registered relay member will choose what they would like to do with their registration. Typically, teams must be complete in order to participate in race day, however, you do not need to have a complete team to participate in the virtual event. If you are on a team that is not complete & still wish to participate virtually, you will edit your registration & simply run a leg/distance of your choice. Relay runners can run the same leg/distance even if you are on the same team.  

Leg 

Distance/Miles 

1 

7.5 

2 

6.1 

3 

3.2 

4 

6.6 

5 

2.8 

Q: I have decided to participate in the virtual race. What will I receive?

A: You will receive your Blue Line Box in advance of race day which will have everything you need to be race day ready! 

Q: I have decided to defer my registration. What is next? Do I need to register for the new event?

A: Yes, you will need to register for the new event. We will send you a code to register once 2021 registration opens. It is essential that you register for the new event as we require a signed waiver for each event in which you participate. 

Q: I have decided to donate my registration fee to The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation; what do I need to do? Will I receive a tax donation receipt? Where does the money go?

A: You will select the donate option when editing your 2020 registration.

Yes, you will receive a tax donation receipt from the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation. Click here to see how your support helps the mission of the Akron Marathon.  

Q: Will the amount of my deferment cover the full price of the new event?

A: If you are deferring your registration fee to the same event/distance next year, then yes.  

Example: Registered for the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Half Marathon, deferring to the 2021 FirstEnergy Akron Half Marathon. 

If you are deferring your registration fee towards a different distance in 2021 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay you will receive a code for the amount you paid less processing fees.  

Example: Registered for the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Half Marathon $90.00, deferring registration to the 2021 FirstEnergy Akron (full) Marathon at $105 you will receive a code for $90.00 off.  

In cases that the new event is less than what you paid; we recommend selecting a deferment event/distance that is comparable to the event you are registered for. Meaning if you are registered for the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon $105.00, we would not advise you to defer to the National Interstate 8k $55.00. There will be no refunds for the difference in price.  

Q: I am registered for the race series; will there be an Akron Marathon Race Series this year?

A: The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series will be paused until 2021 so that all of our loyal Blue Liners can continue their series status.

Q: I am registered for the full Marathon & was supposed to be inducted into the Marathon Loyalty Program this year; will my virtual race be included?

A:  The Akron Marathon staff wants you to know how important each of you are to the event, thank you so much for your loyalty! We want to celebrate you in-person and since we cannot do that this year, we have decided that 2020 will be a bye-year for the full Marathon Loyalty Program. 

Q: If I defer/donate will I receive my 2020 race premiums for the event?

A: No, only virtual participants will receive the 2020 virtual race premiums. 

Q: I registered with a sponsor comp/company paid code; what will happen with my registration?

A: We will email you directly with options depending on the type of comp code you registered with. You can also contact the person who provided you with the code. 

Q: I purchased the protection policy when I registered. How do I file a claim?

A: Please see FanShield’s COVID-19 Policy information.

National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k Cancellation Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are my options for my registration fee since the race I registered for is cancelled?

A: There are 3 options: 

  1. If you are able, you can turn your registration fee into a donation to the Akron Community Foundation’s Community Response Fund for Nonprofits. The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation will be donating a minimum of $20,000Runners that choose to donate their race entry will join the marathon in making an even bigger impact.
  2. Defer your registration fee towards the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay (if not already registered)
  3. Defer your registration fee towards a 2021 Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series event of your choice. 
    • Future Akron Marathon Race Series Dates:      
      • 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay on 9/26/2020 
      • 2021 National Interstate 8k & 1 mile on 6/26/2021  
      • 2021 Goodyear Half Marathon 10k on 8/14/2021  
      • 2021 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay on 9/25/2021  

*If you are registered for the race series, you will need to make this selection on your National Interstate & Goodyear registrations. 

Q: How do I make my selection to defer or donate my registration fee? Is there a deadline to make this decision?

A: Please follow the steps below & complete by June 30, 2020: 

  1. Sign into your Race Roster account 
  2. Click “Edit registration” next to your registration(s) 
  3. Select the “Registration questions” tab 
  4. Find the question, “I would like to do the following with my 2020 registration fee”. Here you will see 2 options; Donate or Defer. If you select defer, a drop-down box will allow you to choose the event you would like to defer your registration fee to. 
  5. Click the “Save & Exit” button at the bottom of the page. 

View this video for step by step instructions.

If you have trouble accessing your account you can call our registration partner, Race Roster at 1-855-969-5515 or email us info@akronmarathon.org 

If you need to make edits after the June 30th deadline please email info@akronmarathon.org & we will be happy to assist you.

Q: I have decided to defer my registration. What’s next? Do I need to register for the new event?

A: Yes, you will need to register for the new event.

If you are deferring your registration to the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, we will email you a unique code to register with.

If you are deferring your registration towards 2021 events, we will send you a code to register once 2021 registration opens. It’s essential that you register for the new event as we require a signed waiver for each event in which you participate. 

Q: I have decided to donate my registration fee to; what do I need to do? Will I receive a tax donation receipt?

A: You will select the donate option when editing your 2020 registration(s).

Yes, you will receive a tax donation receipt from the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation. The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation will be making a lump sum donation to the Akron Community Foundation Community Relief Fund for Nonprofits on the runners’ behalf. 

Q: Will the amount of my deferment cover the full price of the new event?

A: If you are deferring your registration fee to the same event next year, then yes.   

  • Example: Registered for the 2020 National Interstate 8k, deferring to the 2021 National Interstate 8k. 

 

If you are deferring your registration fee towards the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay you will receive a code for the amount you paid less processing fees.  

  • Example: Registered for the 2020 National Interstate 8k paid $55, deferring registration to the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon at $105 you will receive a code for $55 off.  

 

In a case that you paid more for the National Interstate/Goodyear event and you are thinking about doing the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Team Relay, we would recommend you deferring your registration fee to the 2021 National Interstate/Goodyear event so you are not losing the difference.  

  • Example: Registered for the Goodyear Half Marathon at $80, the FirstEnergy Akron Team Relay is $50 so we recommend you deferring to 2021 Goodyear Half Marathon and paying the 2020 FirstEnergy Akron Team Relay registration fee. 
Q: I am registered for the race series; will there be an Akron Marathon Race Series this year?

A: The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series will be paused until 2021 so that all of our loyal Blue Liners can continue their series status.

If you are registered for the 2020 Akron Marathon Race Series, you can donate or defer your National Interstate & Goodyear events to 2021. You will need to make these selections on both registrations. 

Q: Why isn’t there a virtual race option?

A: Our organization was in a unique situation with the timing of the cancellation, ahead of the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on t-shirts and medals, we’re cancelling and showing our support to those on the front linesWe were compelled to make a deeper impact, so we will be donating a minimum donation of $20,000 to the Akron Community Foundation’s Community Response Fund, a fund that supports local nonprofits assisting those who are most impacted by COVID-19, and invite runners to join us in choosing to donate their race entry to make an even deeper impact.  

While we will not be holding a virtual race for the races, we invite you to still run your chosen distance on the race dates and share your run with us by tagging @akronmarathon & #runAkron. Stay tuned for more announcements on how we plan to stay connected this summer.
Q: Will I still receive my 2020 race premiums for the canceled event(s)?

A: Unfortunately, you will not receive the premiums for the canceled event(s).

Q: I registered with a comp code; what will happen with my registration?

A: We will email you directly with options depending on the type of comp code you registered with.

Q: I purchased the protection policy when I registered. How do I file a claim?

A: Please see FanShield’s COVID-19 Policy information