Posted: August 26, 2005

Athletics: Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays Headed for Record Entrant Numbers

AKRON, Ohio - (Aug. 22, 2005) - The Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays is headed toward record numbers for its 3rd edition on Saturday, Oct. 1.

"Through mid-August our numbers are well ahead of last year's," said Jim Barnett, race director of Road Runner Akron Marathon. "So far, the overall number of runners registering for both the marathon and the relay races is up 43 percent over the same time last year."

With less than 50 days remaining before the Oct. 1 race, the Marathon is well on its way toward record participation since a number of registrations come during the last 14 to 30 days before the race. In 2004, more than 3,300 runners took to the streets of Akron, an increase of 30 percent over the inaugural event in 2003.

The biggest increase for 2005 is in the number of runners registering for the relays, up a whopping 85 percent over 2004.

"This phenomenal increase suggests to us that people in northeast Ohio are becoming more health conscious and are using our relay races as an opportunity to adopt a healthy and fit lifestyle," added Barnett.

For more details about the Road Runner Akron Marathon or to register for the marathon or team relays, visit AkronMarathon.org or call (330) 375-2786 (2RUN).

The Road Runner Akron Marathon is made possible by support of these generous sponsors: Road Runner High Speed Online/Time Warner Cable, City of Akron, Marks/Ewing Family Foundation, First Energy, Summa Health System, SummaCare, The Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, WQMX/WAKR/WONE, Brouse McDowell, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP, Highland PR, SS&G Financial Services, Roetzel & Andress, Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund, Bank One, Downtown Akron Partnership, Greater Akron Chamber, The University of Akron, Ritzman Natural Health Pharmacies, Akron Life & Leisure, FedEx Custom Critical, C.O.S. Blueprint, Lockheed Martin, Summit IT Solutions, Hitchcock Fleming and Associates, Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor Coalition, Metro Parks, Michelob Ultra, Acme Fresh Market, Mr. Hero, Arabica Coffee House, Coca-Cola, Dasani PowerAde, GU Energy Gel and Running Times.

Source: Tom Koch, Highland Public Relations, (330) 996-4140