Geared to Hear Annual 5k

Join us as we kick off Race Week at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

Your chance to run a great course AND finish the final stretch on the legendary Derby Downs Track.

A great event shirt and custom medal to all finishers

Awards: Top 3 Overall Men / Women, Top 1 Master Men / Women, Top 3 Men / Women Age Groups 1-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

The 12th Annual West Akron African American Wellness 5K Race is fast approaching and we look forward to exceeding last year’s participation and seeing you on Saturday, August 2, 2025!

The goal of the West Akron 5k Race is to unite the community in a spirit of wellness and philanthropy while raising funds to benefit students in the community. With the support of United Baptist Church, The Akron NAACP, Summa Health, the Gus Johnson Community Foundation, CareSource, Akron Children’s Hospital, Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, this year’s race is on track to do just that with the help and support of our long-time sponsors. This 5K Race Initiative aims to bring awareness of disparities with diabetes, high blood pressure, and the risk of stroke among men while also supplying our schools, that are lacking, the resources needed to ensure our children receive the best education possible.

The West Akron 5K was founded by two-time Iraq war veteran and Buchtel alumni Mary Anderson (class of 1994) began the West Akron 5k in 2013 as a means of giving back to the school and community that nurtured her. We aim to unify a community around wellness and philanthropy that benefits the students in the Buchtel Cluster and citizens in Summit County and surrounding areas. The recent pandemic has prompted us to expand into education around COVID-19, testing, and partnering with entities to provide vaccines and boosters. A goal of the 5K Run/Walk is to raise funds in order to supply our cluster schools, that are lacking, the resources needed to ensure our children receive the best education possible while also informing the community about living a healthy life.

We need your support to take both of these important issues head on! If you can’t run you can walk. If you can’t walk you can still donate!!!

We look forward to another successful race that will benefit the children and families within our community.

The Twins Days 5K Fun Run & Walk will take place on Sunday morning at Dodge Intermediate School, which is across the street from the festival site. Walkers and strollers are also welcome. There will also be a kids' "fun run" of just under ¼ mile on the track. All runners registered before July 31 will be guaranteed to receive a custom event t-shirt which will be designed to match the festival theme - Totally Two-bular! Registrations after 7/31 will be subject to availability on the first come, first served basis. Light snacks and refreshments provided following the race. This event intends to promote and enjoy fitness while raising money for a worthy cause. PROCEEDS BENEFIT EMPOWER SPORTS.

Who We Run For:

Empower Sports exists to enrich the lives of athletes of diverse challenges through sports and exercise while promoting kindness, character, and tolerance. They believe that EVERY athlete should have an opportunity to participate in the games they love and that sports can be used to shatter false stereotypes of people with special needs. Empower Sports is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to providing sports and exercise programs for children and adults with various physical and cognitive disabilities. They value diversity, relationships, service, and empathy. You can donate to Empower Sports here or through the link fundraiser page, donations can also be made through the registration process.

T-Shirts:

We offer Youth Small to Large & Adult Small to 3X-Large along with a No T-Shirt option for a $5 discount.

T-Shirts will be provided to those signed up by July 31st!

Schedule:

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

7:00 AM - Packet Pickup at pavilion near the entrance to the Center Valley Park Trail

8:25 AM - Opening Remarks at Starting Line

8:30 AM - 5K Run/Walk Start at the Track

9:00 AM - Children's Fun Run Starts at the Track

9:30 AM - 5K Awards Ceremony

5K Awards:

Trophies:

Top 3 Finishers Overall - Male and Female

Top 3 Twins Teams Overall - Male, Female, Co-ed

Medals:

Top 3 individuals for the age categories 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+.

TIME TO GET YOUR PICKLE ON!

Akron’s Pride: Akron Pickle

We’ve been magically turning cucumbers into something way better since 2009. Join us for a FUN FUN FUN 5K that kicks off the Akron Pickle Fest in Downtown Akron. Awards to the Top 3 Overall Men/Women and Top 3 in Age Groups 1-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Special Run with Your Dog Division!

The Pickle Fest itself opens immediately after the awards for the 5K at 10:00am