Akron, OH (Sept. 24, 2022) — Nearly 7,000 athletes and more than 100,000 spectators gathered at the marquee event of the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health, the 20th running of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, which began with a celebratory start line at Akron Art Museum.
On a crisp and cool morning, the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay welcomed runners ages 12 to 80 competing from 38 different states and three countries on Sat., Sept. 24, 2022, beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Traveling 26.2 miles through the streets of Akron, the top finishers in today’s Marathon were Zachary Hoagland from Hatfield, PA with a time of 2:25:58 and Alysia Rogers from Medina who finished with a time of 2:49:19. The first runners to cross the finish line outside of Lock 3 in the Half Marathon distance were Fernando Cabada of Aurora, CO and Alyssa Thomas from Cuyahoga Falls with times of 1:06:14 and 1:19:24.
Dylan Garritano from Akron was the runner-up in the men’s Marathon with a time of 2:28:41 while Ryan Hurley of Lakewood crossed the line third at 2:43:50.
For the women, Emma McCarron of Westerville finished second with a time of 2:50:37 followed by Ro Morgan from Cortland in 2:56:37 in the Marathon. (Complete winner information can be found at the end of this release.)
The Half Marathon had Nick Stricklen from Mansfield and Nathaniel Orndorf from Akron placing second and third in the men’s division. Becki Spellman from Galloway and Maura Lemon from Dayton rounded out the winner’s podium for the Women’s Half Marathon.
Top times in the Master Division (40 years and older) were put up by Ryan Hurley and Barbara Lorson of Orrville in the Marathon. For the Half Marathon, the top Masters were Fernando Cabada (also the Half Marathon winner) and Michelle Bertenthal from Mayfield Heights.
Prior to this marquee event, race week kicked off with the Blue Jean Bash on Thursday evening at the John S. Knight Center.
Friends and sponsors of the Akron Marathon gathered for the largest fundraiser to date for the Akron Marathon, hosted by Steve and Jeannine Marks, race co-founders, whose family also served as the presenting sponsor.
Thanks to the generosity of donors from events like the Blue Jean Bash, the Akron Marathon can continue to improve health and wellness in Northeast Ohio. Throughout the Akron Marathon’s 20-year history, the organization has:
- Celebrated 170,529 Blue Line Finishers
- Raised over $6 million for charity
- Generated $133 million of economic impact to the Greater Akron area
- Provided 13,604 complimentary race entries
- Accumulated over 132,740 volunteer hours
Friday night, the Kids Fun Run presented by Akron Children’s Hospital had more than 500 youth ages 12 and under run their own “big race” along the one-mile course. Participating children ran and had the opportunity to cross the same finish line as the marquee event on Saturday.
“Congratulations to all runners who have demonstrated grit, discipline, and perseverance through their training and participation. We applaud your efforts and commend the time and talent you have dedicated to your sport,” said John Somerhalder, interim president and chief executive officer of FirstEnergy. “Special thanks are extended to all of those who have helped make this event a success, including race organizers, family, and friends who support our participants and the thousands of community members who turned out to volunteer and cheer runners along the way.”
“Congratulations to all of the participants in this year’s Akron Marathon Race Series and to the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation for another outstanding year of races,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, Summa Health president and CEO. “We’re proud to have been able to support this year’s events and look forward to next year and continuing our involvement in these important community events.”
Plans are already underway for the 2023 Akron Marathon, and details will continue to be updated at AkronMarathon.org in the months to come.
Full List of Winners
FULL MARATHON
Male
- Zachary Hoagland, Hatfield, PA, 2:25:58
- Dylan Garritano, Akron, 2:28:41
- Ryan Hurley, Lakewood, 2:43:50
Female
- Alysia Rogers, Medina, 2:49:19
- Emma McCarron, Westerville, 2:50:37
- Ro Morgan, Cortland, 2:56:37
Masters Male
- Ryan Hurley, Lakewood, 2:43:50
- Sean Kearney, Ann Arbor, MI, 2:51:55
- Scott Davis, Carlisle, PA, 2:56:43
Masters Female
- Barbara Lorson, Orrville, 3:00:09
- Teresa Ferguson, Akron, 3:21:25
- Tara Keller, Bexley, 3:22:24
HALF MARATHON
Male
- Fernando Cabada, Aurora, CO, 1:06:14
- Nick Stricklen, Mansfield, 1:06:24
- Nathaniel Orndorf, Akron, 1:07:32
Female
- Alyssa Thomas, Cuyahoga Falls, 1:19:24
- Becki Spellman, Galloway, 1:21:03
- Maura Lemon, Dayton, 1:21:31
Masters Male
- Fernando Cabada, Aurora, CO, 1:06:14
- David Wong, Bethlehem, PA, 1:20:34
- Mark Rohrer, Wadsworth, 1:25:32
Masters Female
- Michelle Bertenthal, Mayfield Heights, 1:29:25
- Andrea White, Ashland, 1:30:19
- Melissa Kasten, Worthington, 1:32:02
For more information about the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health, 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 nonprofit 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 20th 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).