Akron Marathon continues to support local organizations’ fundraising efforts
AKRON, Ohio (March 18, 2015) – With the countdown on and only 100 days left before the launch of the inaugural Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series, the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation has announced it has expanded its charity partner outreach to include 15 local non-profits organizations as part of the 2015 Blue Line Charity Program. The program is centered around the Rubber City Race Series marquee event in September, which has 15,000 runners, 3,000 volunteers and nearly 100,000 spectators, giving these charities a large promotional audience.
The organizations participating as charity partners this year are: Akron Area YMCA, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, Boys & Girls Club of the Western Reserve, Catholic Charities, Child Guidance and Family Solutions, Ears to You, Inc., Family Promise of Summit County, Girls on the Run of Greater Summit, Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Patriot Runners, Trample ALS, Victory Gallop and Wheels4Change.
“Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, our selection committee decided to expand the Blue Line Charity Program to include 15 local charities for 2015,” says Katie Kline, Akron Marathon Project Manager. “These partners reflect the mission of the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation through their work in the community and we are happy to have them participate in the program.”
A major benefit to being part of the Blue Line Charity Program allows these local groups to use the Akron Marathon, Half Marathon or Team Relay as a fundraiser for their respective cause without having to plan and organize an event themselves. Each charity is asked to recruit runners, volunteers and raise funds for their organization.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve is honored to be a part of the Blue Line Charity Program again this year,” says Suzanne Hollon, Director of Resource Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve. “The Marathon embodies Akron through its participants, who show grit, perseverance, dedication, community spirit, hard work and generosity to those in need. Boys & Girls Clubs believes in these principles and they are ideals we teach our members daily. We appreciate all that the Akron Marathon and its partners contribute to our great community.”
Race participants, spectators, volunteers and community members are encouraged to support the Blue Line Charity Partners by volunteering or making a donation to one or more of the partners. For more information on supporting charity partners, please visit our website or Crowdrise, an online fundraising platform at https://www.crowdrise.com/AkronMarathon2015.
Registration is open for all three Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series events with incentives geared toward running multiple races. Prices for Rubber City Race Series packages and the Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay will increase on April 1. Registration is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org.
The 2015 race dates for the inaugural running of the Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series are as follows: June 27 (Thirsty Dog 8k & 1-mile), Aug. 15 (Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k) and Sept. 26 (Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run presented by Time Warner Cable). The dates were developed to help guide runners through a typical training schedule.
About the Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series
The Akron Marathon Rubber City 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. This year will mark the 13th running of September’s marquee event (Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run presented by Time Warner Cable), which has grown by more than 300 percent since its inception in 2003. The Series will feature new race dates in June (8k & 1-Mile) and August (Half Marathon & 10k), providing greater opportunity for participation on all levels in the sport of running. Additional information on the Series is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).