FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frank Shorter To Receive 2015 Akron Marathon Ambassador Award
presented by Westfield Bank
Two-time Olympic medalist will be honored at Sept. 24 VIP event
AKRON, Ohio (Sept. 15, 2015) – The Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation
has announced that Frank Shorter is the recipient of the 2015 Akron
Marathon Ambassador Award presented by Westfield Bank. Shorter is the only
American to win two Olympic medals in the marathon, claiming gold in
Munich, Germany in 1972 and silver four years later in Montreal, Canada.
Frank Shorter Head ShotShorter also finished fifth in the 10,000-meter
final in Munich en route to claiming the James E. Sullivan Award as the top
U.S. amateur athlete in 1972. Shorter, who also won the 1969 NCAA
10,000-meter championship and five U.S. national titles at that distance
(1970, ‘71, '74, '75 & '77), was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in
1984 and the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989.
"We're thrilled to honor running luminary Frank Shorter with this year's
Ambassador Award," said Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation Trustee Dave
Hunter. "His Olympic victory in 1972 helped inspire a generation of
runners, and Frank is the epitome of all that this award stands for."
The eighth Ambassador Award will be presented at an invitation-only VIP
reception on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Greystone Hall. This marks the second
year Westfield Bank has served as the presenting sponsor of the award,
which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions and
lasting impacts to the sport of running. Past Ambassadors include Joan
Benoit Samuelson, Kathrine Switzer, Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot, Hal Higdon,
Craig Masback and Creigh Kelley.
"Westfield Bank takes great pride in sponsoring the Ambassador Award
again," said Westfield Bank President and CEO Jon Park. "Personally, I'm
deeply honored to be able to recognize Frank Shorter as the only American
to win multiple Olympic medals in the marathon."
The inaugural Rubber City Race Series saw the Thirsty Dog 8k & 1-mile (June
27) and Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k (Aug. 15) both sell out their
3,000-participant caps. As of Wednesday (Sept. 9), the Full Marathon (83%),
Half Marathon (86%) and Team Relay (72%) were all filling up fast. The
Series dates were developed to help guide runners through a typical
training schedule leading up to the marquee events on Sept. 26.
Registration closes Sunday, Sept. 20 for the Marathon, Half Marathon and
team relay, and is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org.
About the Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series
The Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series is organized by the Akron
Marathon Charitable Corporation, a non-profit group founded in 2002 to
provide a world-class marathon and other events that promote health and
fitness, stimulate the local economy, galvanize the community and
benefit charitable organizations. This year will mark the 13th running
of September's marquee event (Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay &
Kids Fun Run), which has grown by more than 300 percent since its
inception in 2003. The Series will feature new race dates in June (8k &
1-Mile) and August (Half Marathon & 10k), providing greater opportunity
for participation on all levels in the sport of running. Additional
information on the Series is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org
or by calling (330) 434-2RUN (2786).
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