Akron, OH (Aug. 10, 2019) — More than 2,500 athletes gathered at Goodyear Global Headquarters for the second race in the 5th annual Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, including 71-year-old Jeannie Rice of Mentor, OH, who has unofficially broken the world record for her age group with a half marathon time of 1:37:07.
At the sold-out Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, Dylan Garritano from Akron and Emma McCarron from Mansfield were the respective winners in the men’s and women’s sold out Goodyear Half Marathon, finishing at 1:10:20 and 1:23:12. The 10k titles were taken by Nathaniel Hunter Moore from Uniontown and Lydia Hochstein from Cleveland finishing in 33:14
and 39:13.
The Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k welcomed runners from 25 states, with ages 11 to 80 competing on Sat., Aug. 10, 2019, beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Energy filled the Goodyear test track as runners began on the normally closed-to-the-public
track. Although the course and track were designed for speed, the course supported both runners and walkers as they made their way to the finish line at Goodyear’s Global Headquarters.
“Our races are so much more than running,” states Anne Bitong, Executive Director, Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation. “They thrill, they inspire and even change lives, and today, we were so inspired by our runners crossing that finish line—including Jeannie Rice and her new, unofficial world record.”
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, in its fifth year as presenting sponsor for this second race in the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, provided support with more than 450 Goodyear associates who laced up to run or volunteered at the day’s event.
“This collaboration with Akron Children’s Hospital and the Akron Marathon is a natural fit for us – as each one of our organizations are focused on serving this community,” said Laura Duda, Goodyear senior vice president of Global Communications.”
Every year, Akron Children’s Hospital selects several hero patients to feature along the race routes, highlighting their fighting spirit and inspirational strength. The partnership between the Akron Marathon and Akron Children’s Hospital has raised more than $1.68 million to care for the region’s children since 2016.
This year, more than a dozen hero patients were selected to represent the hospital, as part of its role as the title beneficiary of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series. An event favorite for participants was having the opportunity to meet the 2019 honored hero patient from Akron Children’s Hospital, 18-year-old Rybecca Rennie, who was involved in a nearly fatal car accident.
To learn more about this year’s hero patients, please visit bit.ly/ACHero.
The day’s winners included:
HALF MARATHON FINAL RESULTS:
MALE OVERALL– 1) DYLAN GARRITANO, AKRON – 1:10:20; 2) ISRAEL MERKLE, AKRON – 1:10:31; 3) VERRELLE WYATT, AKRON – 1:11:32
FEMALE OVERALL– 1) EMMA MCCARRON, MANSFIELD– 1:23:12; 2) REBECCA NUSSBAUM, LAKEVILLE – 1:23:55; 3) SHANNA ISTNICK, KENT– 1:27:18
MASTER’S MALE – 1) DAMON BLACKFORD, AKRON – 1:23:42; 2) RICHARD WISNESKI, AKRON – 1:24:18; 3) CRAIG SIMPSON, DELAWARE – 1:24:41
MASTER’S FEMALE – 1) TERESA FERGUSON, POWELL – 1:27:56, 2) JEANNIE RICE, MENTOR – 1:37:07; 3) DIANNE LAHETA, BROADVIEW HEIGHTS – 1:37:56
10K FINAL RESULTS
MALE OVERALL – 1) NATHANIAL HUNTER MOORE, UNIONTOWN – 33:14; 2) JARON SMITH, UNIONTOWN – 35:51; 3) DAVID STEWART, MOGADORE – 37:05
FEMALE OVERALL – 1) LYDIA HOCHSTEIN, CLEVELAND – 39:13; 2) KELLY VALCO, AKRON – 42:15; 3) BRITTANY EISMON, HUDSON – 42:46
MASTER’S MALE – 1) MICHAEL ZBIEGIEN, EUCLID – 38:20; 2) LARRY O’NEIL, AKRON – 39:41; 3) STEVEN HANDELY, WELLINGTON – 39:55
MASTER’S FEMALE – 1) ELIZABETH TUCCI, AKRON – 45:56; 2) MARIA PRINZO, BARBERTON – 46:58 ;3) BETHANY DENISON, AKRON – 47:39
Race registration and volunteer opportunities for the final race series event can be found at AkronMarathon.org. The marquee event — the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay — will follow the blue line through the streets of Akron on September 28, 2019.
This year, the Akron Marathon team will host more than 15,000 runners across its 2019 events
all supporting Akron Children’s Hospital. Runners looking for a deeper level of engagement with the hospital can join the race as a Children’s Champion, a race participant committed to raising $250 to $1,000 for Akron Children’s Hospital.
For more information about the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, please
visit AkronMarathon.org.
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About the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series
The Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon 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. The series features race dates in June (National Interstate 8k & 1-Mile) and August (Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k), culminating with the 17th running of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay & Kids Fun Run in September. Additional information is available at AkronMarathon.org or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).