Akron Marathon

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+

War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem

Run • Walk • Ruck

When: July 26, 2026 8 AM Start

Where: Tuscarawas Shelter at Firestone park in Akron

2620 Harrington Rd

Akron, OH 44319

Fighting the Silent Battle: A 2 mile, 4 mile, or 8 mile for Addiction, PTSD, & Recovery

The 2nd Annual Anthony Salem Challenge is more than a race—it is a movement.

Created in honor of Iraq Combat Veteran Anthony Salem, who tragically lost his battle with addiction and the invisible wounds of war on September 24, 2023, this event stands as a public declaration that no one should have to fight alone.

Every day, veterans and individuals in recovery wage an unseen war—against PTSD, addiction, trauma, and the weight of experiences most will never understand. Too many lose that battle in silence.

This challenge exists to change that.

On race day, participants will run, walk, or ruck a scenic 2 mile course, each step symbolizing the burdens so many carry quietly.

Your participation—and your fundraising—become part of someone’s survival story.

All proceeds power Running2bWell, helping provide:

• Bicycles for transportation

• Fitness clothing

• Running shoes

• Race entries

• Community support and connection

Every dollar fuels hope. Every mile lifts a warrior. Every fundraiser becomes part of the fight.

Join us as we honor Anthony’s legacy, uplift those still fighting, and ensure that no warrior battles alone.

Welcome to The War Within Peer-to-Peer Challenge—where your courage becomes someone’s lifeline.

Peer-to-Peer Challenge Fundraising Levels

War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem Run • Walk • Ruck

Fighting the Silent Battle: Addiction • PTSD • Recovery

The Challenge Entry — $40

“Answer the Call”

This is your basic registration or “sign-up challenge.”

Includes:

• Event entry for Run • Walk • Ruck

• Participant bib

• Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt

• Access to fundraising platform

• The opportunity to dedicate your challenge “In Honor Of” a loved one

1. Battle Buddy Level — $100-499 Raised

“No One Fights Alone”

• Official “Battle Buddy” digital badge

• Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt

• Fundraisers who raise $100 or more will receive a food truck voucher as a thank-you for their impact

• Name included on event website supporters page

• Helps provide fitness clothing or race entries to someone in recovery.

2. Strength in the Struggle Level — $500-999 Raised

“Every Mile Helps a Warrior Fight Another Day”

• All previous rewards

• Salem Challenge wristband

• Supports a pair of running shoes for a veteran or person in recovery.

3. Warrior Shield Level — $1,000- 2499 Raised

“Your Support Becomes Their Shield”

• All previous rewards

• Name listed on event “Honor Field” signage

• Sponsors a full fitness-support package: clothing, shoes, race entries, and community programming.

• Helps fund a bicycle for transportation to work, meetings, and recovery groups.

4. The Salem Hero Level — $2,500 Raised

“Fight the Battle They Can’t Fight Alone”

• All previous levels

• Personalized certificate presented at the event

• Funds nearly all components for the Sponsor a Warrior program.

Additional Fundraising Components

• Ruck-Weight Fundraiser (Add-On Option)

• Participants can collect pledges tied to their effort:

• $5 per pound rucked

• $1 per minute run

• Great for teams and high-impact fundraisers.

Memorial & Honor Field (Event Day).

Supporters can donate to add a name to the 2026 Honor Field:

• A veteran

• A loved one lost to addiction

• Someone fighting PTSD or rebuilding in recovery

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.