Participants in the three-part Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series have a new training partner: Summit Metro Parks.
The park district, with support from race series staff, will launch its inaugural Metro Parks Running Spree on Monday, June 1. The three-month spree includes a number of natural-surface and paved trails for beginning, intermediate, and advanced runners that can be completed for credit while training for the June 27, August 15 and September 26 races.
“Many marathoners already train in the Metro Parks,” said Nathan Eppink, chief of marketing and communications for the park district. “So while we’re no longer a part of the course in September, we’ll be with runners as they prepare for the starting line.”
“We’re thrilled about the Running Spree and the continued partnership with Summit Metro Parks,” said Anne Bitong, president/executive director of the Akron Marathon. “The spree helps us support our runners throughout their training.”
HOW IT WORKS
Each spree participant who finishes at least six designated Summit Metro Parks trail runs between June 1 and August 31 will earn a wooden race medal on a commemorative ribbon — much like the medals awarded by the Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series.
Forms are available online, at several Metro Parks locations and all Acme Fresh Market stores in Summit County. Rewards for the spree are FREE to Summit County residents. Out-of-county residents will pay $10 for their rewards.
The idea for the Running Spree was born last fall when Bitong and race director Brian Polen shared with Eppink their new 26.2-mile course for September’s marquee event.
The Running Spree is similar in format to the district’s three other on-your-own spree events, including the May-June Spree For All hiking series on flat, easy trails, the July-August Summer Biking Spree on multipurpose trails, and the September-November Fall Hiking Spree on a variety of trails.
