Posted: September 1, 2005

Athletics: Running Legend Bill Rodgers to Participate in Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays

AKRON, Ohio - (Aug. 30, 2005) - Running legend Bill Rodgers is coming back to Akron to participate in the 3rd annual Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays on Saturday, Oct. 1. The four-time winner of the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon will be in Akron race weekend and plans to fill a fifth spot on a relay team that will include Summa Health System president and CEO, Tom Strauss and SummaCare president, Marty Hauser. Summa Health System and SummaCare are Gold sponsors of the marathon.

"I am looking forward to returning to Akron, one of the great new races on the long distance running circuit," said Rodgers, who at 57, still holds numerous U.S. records.

"We're delighted that Bill is coming back to Akron," said Steve Marks, founder of the Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays. "He helped us launch this race in 2003 and has been with us ever since." His first appearance at the inaugural Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays in 2003 was on crutches after breaking his leg in a training run.

Rodgers was ranked #1 in the world in the marathon in 1975, 1977 and 1979 by Track and Field News, and in 1989, he was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. He still runs in approximately two dozen races a year.

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