Akron, OH (Jan. 12, 2021) — The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation staff and Board of Directors are thrilled to announce Summa Health as its presenting sponsor of the Akron Marathon Race Series through 2023.

With Summa Health’s mission to provide the highest quality, compassionate care to its patients and members and to contribute to a healthier community, the partnership has been a natural fit since the beginning of the Akron Marathon. 

“Summa has been a long-time partner of the Akron Marathon,” shares Anne Bitong, President and CEO at Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation. “Since our inception, Summa has been our Official Sports Medicine sponsor supporting our medical aid stations across all events, and they’ve had more than 100 employees and volunteers support each race we’ve hosted with an incredible passion for this community. We’re thrilled to expand our relationship and together promote health and fitness in our community!”

The Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health continues its goal of encouraging participation of all fitness levels. As a three-event race series with distances ranging from one-mile to the marathon, runners are encouraged to choose the series distances that suit their personal goals.

“We are honored to be named the presenting sponsor of the Akron Marathon Race Series,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, Summa Health president and CEO. “Like many organizations, giving back to the community is one of the most important things that we do. Through our participation in these important races, we are able to not only provide medical care to event participants, but also economic support for one of our community’s greatest assets. We congratulate the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation for its great work and we look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

Summa Health and the Akron Marathon event organizers are working closely with the City of Akron and Summit County Public Health on race weekend plans that align with Summit County’s public health and safety efforts.

Registration for the 2021 events will be through a tiered registration process, which opens to a limited group of eligible individuals based on previous participation and event deferment from the 2020 races on Jan. 13, 2021. The public registration window is set to open on Jan. 18, 2021.

Race officials are encouraging early registration to guarantee your spot as they anticipate all events to sell out with limited space due to COVID-19.If the state of the pandemic subsides additional spots may become available. A comprehensive Operational & Safety Guide has been developed and approved by Summit County Public Health, the City of Akron, and the Akron Marathon’s medical team at Summa Health.

While we are optimistic about the live events taking place, if the 2021 Akron Marathon Race Series in-person event(s) are canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all participants will be automatically converted to the virtual event. There will be no refunds or deferments offered for the event.

The following race dates are confirmed:  

  • FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, Sept. 25, 2021
  • Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k, 14, 2021
  • National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile, June 26, 2021

For more information, race registration, and volunteer opportunities, please visit AkronMarathon.org.

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About the Akron Marathon Race Series

The 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 19th 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).

About Summa Health

Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and the Summa Health Foundation, we are nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa’s clinical services are consistently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet status), U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit summahealth.org or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/summahealth and Twitter, twitter.com/summahealth.

 

Contact: Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation

Kat Pestian, kat@ampstrategy.com

330-714-2274