Displaying items by tag: Akron Marathon

Monday, 15 April 2013 18:50

AUDIO Akron Runners Safe After Boston Blast

A group of local runners from are counting their blessings after the tragic events of Monday's Boston Marathon.

Bret Treier of Akron says he and 8 other runners ran in the marathon. He said the tragedy was the furthest thing from any of their minds.

"It is actually very stressful," Treier said. "It's a horrific scene, it's a very sad scene and nobody knows what to make of it at this point."

He says the other members of his running group -which are all accounted for- met up at the hotel they were staying at, which was only a couple blocks from the finish when the blasts were heard.

Treier said it was very difficult for he and the rest of his group to get a hold of their loved ones as soon as the news broke.

"Letting our families and friends and other contacts know that we were all safe and sound was a real challenge for the first couple of hours after the blast, but things seem to be calming down, so we're able to let people know that we are safe and sound."

Treier, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Akron Marathon, says security measures will be on the mind of all marathon cities moving forward.

"It's going to clearly affect how race planners consider Plan B in crisis management," Treier said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families and people affected by this tragedy."

He says currently the members of the running group are in lockdown at the hotel they are staying at for the next 24 hours.

Rich Wisneski of West Akron had just finished the Boston Marathon when the first bomb went off. He was watching at the finish line near the Marathon Store.

"Where I went to watch the finish was...obviously, I didn't know it at the time," Wisneski tells AkronNewsNow.com, "but where I went to watch the finish was exactly where the first bomb went off."

Wisneski said his hotel room shook from the explosions.

"No sooner did I get back to the hotel, then like two minutes later, we heard the first bomb go off," Wisneski says. "And ten seconds later, the second bomb went off."

Former Copley resident Wesley-Anne Bock-Nelson described some of the tense moments after the bombs went off, trying to reconnect with family back in Ohio.

"It took a little bit of time to borrow somebody's phone to let my mom know that I was OK, because I knew that she would be freaking out, so they kind of just spread the word," she said.

Bock-Nelson, who currently lives in Austin, Texas says she received numerous texts, calls and Facebook messages from concerned family members and friends as soon as the news broke, and says she's appreciative of all of them after this tragic event.

She also commended the people and the city of Boston for opening up their hearts-and in some cases their homes to the runners and spectators.

"I've never had so many people open up their hearts before," she said. "People were opening up their houses and making sure that people could connect with loved ones and make sure they had water and food, so the people of Boston truly showed their beautiful colors."

Anne Bitong, Executive Director for the Akron Marathon says she's trying to make sense of the terrible events that took place.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone and we're hoping for everyone to have a safe return home," she said.

Bitong also told AkronNewsNow.com the Akron Marathon support staff and volunteers also work with city and local government to develop a crisis plan in case of emergency.

Over 15,000 runners participated in the 2012 Akron Marathon and even more are anticipated for this year's event.

The Akron Marathon issued a statement following the tragic events. "The Akron Marathon sends our heartfelt sympathies to all affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. Like all who love and appreciate the sport of running, we are shocked and deeply saddened by the events that took place on April 15, 2013. Our thoughts are with the runners, the race staff, the supporters and their families."

AkronNewsNow.com's Mike Ward contributed to this report.

Published in Local

Thursday, 02 August 2012 16:52

Meep Meep! Marathon Close To Sell Out

With nearly two months left before the streets of Akron turn into a marathon course, organizers of the Akron Marathon says they are on pace to have a runner's sell-out with only 100 slots remaining in the full marathon race. Other events such as the half marathon and team relay are also setting record high registration marks.

If every full marathon spot is take it would be the first time in the event's nine-year history where every position is filled.

The Akron Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, September 29th.

(Akron Marathon - news release) For the first time in the history of the Akron Marathon, the Full Marathon event is expected to sell out well before race day. As of August 2, fewer than 100 spaces remain.

Other popular race-day events – the Half Marathon, presented by Acme Fresh Markets, and the Team Relay, presented by Novo Nordisk – are also reaching record high registration rates.

Participant hopefuls are encouraged to register online today atwww.akronmarathon.org to secure their space in the 10^th annual running of the Akron Marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable. The race will take place on September 29, 2012.

“Each year since the race’s inception in 2003 we’ve experienced a record number of runners,” said Jim Barnett, executive race director. “With this year’s expected sell-out, we’re preparing for the nearly 15,000 runners who will join us in downtown Akron the last Saturday in September.”

If race spaces remain open, participants who register by August 13 will receive a personalized race bib, printed with their name.

“We modified the course this year to accommodate more runners and are thrilled to see the response,” Barnett said. “There is going to be a lot of energy at the start line.”

Published in Local

Wednesday, 11 April 2012 09:54

Marathon Boosts Prize Purse

The Akron Marathon is making the finish line a little sweeter for the swiftest. Organizers are boosting the overall prize pool by $65-hundred dollars in 2012 for the September 29th race.

(Akron Marathon) Winners of the Akron Marathon events will have more reasons to celebrate during the 10th annual running this September. Event organizers have increased overall event prize money by $6,500.

In addition, the Invited Runner Program has been expanded to include the ever-popular half marathon, and prize money has been added for this event. The many benefits of the Invited Runner Program can be found at www.akronmarathon.org.

“The course modifications for our 10th running have been well received,” said Jim Chaney, Associate Race Director. “This is very exciting as there are cumulative cash incentives that will be given to all runners who reach threshold levels in various marathon categories. These levels will be more achievable in 2012.”

Prize money and awards for the Akron Marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable, will be presented to the top men and women finishers in a variety of categories. They include:

Marathon Open Division

Men's and Women's First Place: $2,500 (plus Champion Brouse Cup)
Men's and Women's Second Place: $1,500
Men's and Women's Third Place: $500
Men's and Women's Fourth Place: $250
Men's and Women's Fifth Place: $100

Marathon Masters Division

Masters Men's and Women's First Place: $1,000 (plus Champion Brouse Cup)
Masters Men's and Women's Second Place: $500
Masters Men's and Women's Third Place: $250

Half Marathon Open Division

Men’s and Women’s First Place: $500
Men's and Women's Second Place: $250
Men's and Women's Third Place: $100

Half Marathon Masters Division

Men’s and Women’s First Place: $250
Men's and Women's Second Place: $100
Men's and Women's Third Place: $50

Additional Cash Incentives
In addition to prize money the following cumulative, cash incentives will be given to all runners who reach threshold levels in these marathon categories:

Marathon Men Open Division:

Under 2:22 - $500
Under 2:20 - $500
Under Course Record [2:18:48] - $500

Marathon Women Open Division:

Under 2:45 - $500
Under 2:42 - $500
Under Course Record [2:39:09] - $500

Marathon Men Masters Division:

Under Course Record [2:29:13] - $500

Marathon Women Masters Division:

Under Course Record [2:49:52] - $500

Men’s Half Marathon

Under Course Record [1:06:48] - $500

Women’s Half Marathon

Under Course Record [1:17:56] - $500

“We’re hopeful that talented runners will continue to be drawn to this premier event,” Chaney said.

The Akron Marathon includes a Full Marathon; a Half Marathon, presented by Acme Fresh Markets; a 5-person Team Relay, presented by Novo Nordisk; and a Kids Fun Run, making it ideal for all levels of athleticism. It will take place Saturday, September 29, 2012, beginning in downtown Akron.

Registration is now open at www.AkronMarathon.org. Registration for each event within the Akron Marathon is capped and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged as registration numbers are well ahead of last year’s pace.

To be eligible to participate in the Invited Runner Program, runners must have met qualifying times in a documented race within the last two years. Online application forms are due by June 1, 2012. Formal invitations will be sent by July 1, 2012.

Published in Local

Saturday, 24 September 2011 13:08

MULTIMEDIA Another Race Day in Akron

The 9th annual Akron Marathon has wrapped up for another year.

The event has grown from 3.000 runners in 2003 to over 14,000 runners this year. Runners from Northeast Ohio and across the country participated in this year's Marathon, Half-Marathon, Team relay and kids races.

SEE how your runner did in this year's race listings

Fans lined the sidewalks in Downtown Akron to see the runners pass on Broadway, South High and Main Streets. Bands from Ellet, Garfield, St. Vincent-St. Mary High Schools urged runners on, singers from Kenmore were on hand, along with a gentleman in the Firestone Park area who kept playing 'Charge" on his trumpet.

Inside Canal Park, the atmosphere was like a college football game was being played. The seats were filled with fans greeting the runners as they entered the stadium. Plus a live band kept the energy level at a fever pitch.

Robert Lisy of Macedonia finished the Marathon in a time of 3 hours 18 minutes. He said he enjoys running the Marathon course.

The Men's Marathon was won by Peter Kemboi of Kenya, now training in Hebron, Kentucky in a time of 2 Hours 22 minutes. David Petrak of Cuyahoga Falls was second in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Women's Marathon was won by Becki Michael of Akron in a time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

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From a press release issued by the race, a list of some of the key winners and times:

More than 13,000 participants, 3,000 volunteers and more than 100,000 spectators lined the streets of Akron, Ohio, Saturday to take part in the Ninth Annual Akron Marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable. Participation level set a record for the Akron Marathon for the ninth year in a row.

Marathon events include the Full Marathon, presented by Time Warner Cable; Half Marathon, presented by Acme Fresh Markets; 5-Person Team Relay, presented by Novo Nordisk and the Kids Fun Run.

Full Marathon

The following information summarizes the top finishers of the Men’s Full Marathon: