AKRON, Ohio — Organizers of the Akron Marathon announced the 2020 race will be held virtually this year after months of conversation determined that holding the traditional event would be “too great a risk for runners and citizens.”
The virtual race events will take place Sept. 25-26.
“The Akron Marathon excels at logistics, and we always want to cover every possible angle for our runners, this year especially,” said Anne Bitong, president and CEO of the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation. “We explored hosting a physically distanced race, which would lower our field to a maximum of 3,800 runners, and it would take nearly two hours to get through the start line. These types of modifications, while easy for us to execute, would tax the city of Akron in extending road closures, plus the cost of newly identified items post-COVID including masks and hand washing stations, not only would our nonprofit be losing money -- we’d be risking the wellbeing of our runners.”
The related race weekend events, including the Health & Fitness Expo and the Kids Fun Run, will also be held virtually.
“With every scenario explored, the Akron Marathon team and board would ask questions like: Is it safe?” organizers said in a press release. “Can we host the same top-notch experience that we always do? Are we okay with offering a different experience? Does it make financial sense? And every time, an answer would come back negative.”
If you’ve already registered for the marathon, half marathon, team relay or Kids Fun Run, you will have the following options:
- Keep the registration to participate in the virtual event.
- Donate the registration fee.
- Defer the entry to a future race.
“Race organizers will be reaching out to registered runners to communicate available options,” officials said. “Runners who have not yet registered can register for the virtual experience through June 30.”
Planning is underway for "Blue Line Box" kits to celebrate the participants who complete the virtual race.
"While the details of the Blue Line Box are still being confirmed, signature race elements like a runner’s bib and Akron Marathon swag, as well as a virtual Expo experience, and virtual Finisher’s Festival are all being lined up by the team. ..."
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