The Akron Marathon Charitable Corp. says the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will serve as the presenting sponsor for the Half Marathon and 10k event to be held Aug. 15, 2015 as part of the new Akron Marathon Rubber City Race Series.
The Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k will start and finish at the company’s global headquarters in southeast Akron. The race course will include Akron landmarks such as the East End development, Derby Downs and the Lockheed Martin Airdock. The race also will feature a lap around the track at Goodyear’s restricted access Akron Proving Grounds.
“Goodyear has maintained a strong community presence for more than a century and played an instrumental role in establishing Akron as the rubber capital of the world,” says Anne Bitong, Akron Marathon president and executive director. “Having Goodyear participate in the inaugural year of the Rubber City Race Series is very meaningful for our organization, and we are thrilled to be able to offer our runners the amazing experience of taking a lap around Goodyear’s test track.”
All participants in the Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k will receive race premiums for which the Akron Marathon has long been known, including a tech shirt and finisher’s medal. The half marathon runners will also get a commemorative gift. The finish line will feature an “Akron’s Best” food festival, which will be open to participants, volunteers and spectators.
“We are delighted to join forces with the Akron Marathon as it introduces two new race events this year that will build on the success of its annual fall marathon,” says Alison White, Goodyear director of community engagement. “The Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k is a terrific opportunity to welcome the community to our campus and to involve our Goodyear associates as race participants and volunteers.”
Registration for all three Rubber City Race Series events opened in November with incentives geared toward running multiple events. The entry fee is $75 for the half marathon and $55 for the 10k, with roughly 3,000 spots available between the two events. Registration is available at www.RubberCityRaceSeries.org.
The 2015 race dates for the inaugural running of the Rubber City Race Series are as follows: June 27 (8k and 1-mile), Aug. 15 (Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k) and Sept. 26 (full marathon, half marathon, team relay and kids fun run). The dates were developed to help guide runners through a typical training schedule.
For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.
