FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leigh Greenfelder
(330) 996-4140
DOWNTOWN AKRON TO BURST WITH EXCITEMENT AND PEOPLE DURING ROAD RUNNER
AKRON MARATHON WEEKEND
AKRON, Ohio (Sept. 26, 2006) – The Road Runner Akron Marathon and
Chase Team Relays, which take place on Saturday, Sept. 30, will bring more
than just 6,000 runners to the streets of Akron. It's also filling hotels,
restaurants and businesses with patrons.
In a continuous effort to make the race a community-centered
event, marathon officials have been working with downtown hotels,
restaurants and businesses to create opportunities for the runners from all
throughout the country to experience the heart of downtown Akron. The Road
Runner Akron Marathon lists five nearby recommended hotels on its web site
for its participants to stay in for race weekend. The Crowne Plaza and
Radisson are both filled on Friday evening. Both hotels are within blocks
from the starting line at 177 South Broadway Street.
The Road Runner Akron Marathon and Chase Team Relays have
partnered with six downtown Akron restaurants to offer the runners pre- and
post-race meals this year.
"Rather than hosting a pasta party for runners this year, we decided that
we would have downtown restaurants partner with the marathon to offer
discounts to the runners on their meals," said Director of Operations for
the marathon, Chris Roman. "We wanted our runners to be able to experience
downtown Akron all throughout the weekend, not just during the race."
Restaurants that chose to participate in the program, offering
a ten percent discount to any runner with a marathon bib or medallion on
Friday or Saturday evening, had to be located less than one mile from the
downtown hotels for the convenience of the marathon participants. This
year's partnering restaurants are City Beat at the Radisson, Crave, Posh,
Jillian's, House of Hunan and Spaghetti Warehouse.
Runners and spectators will be able to enjoy the bustling
downtown atmosphere on Saturday during the marathon's Street Fair. The
Street Fair, featuring food, drinks, vendors and entertainment, takes place
on Main Street, just outside of Canal Park Stadium, the finish line for the
26.2 mile marathon, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The festivities include
a performance by local favorite, the Wanda Hunt Band, from 11:30 a.m. –
2:30 p.m.
"The Street Fair is a great place for families, sports fans or
any one else to spend the day on Saturday," said Roman. "You not only get
to enjoy food, vendors and music, you can go inside the stadium and
experience the excitement of watching the runners cross the finish line.
There's just nothing like watching them come through the outfield gate and
into a stadium full of cheering spectators to receive their medal at the
finish."
More information regarding the recommended hotels, restaurant
discounts and Street Fair schedule can be found on the Road Runner Akron
Marathon web site at www.akronmarathon.org.
Participants may register for Saturday's race online through
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at midnight. Registration is also open at the Health
and Fitness Expo on Friday, Sept. 29 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the
University of Akron Athletics Field House. There is no race day
registration. For more info contact the Road Runner Akron Marathon and
Chase Team Relays at or 330-375-2RUN.
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