Labor of Love Run

The Run to the Beach 5K and One-Mile Easter Eggs Scramble on April 11, 2026, features beautiful courses that loop around Portage Lakes State Park.

Great swag! Finisher medals for ALL 5K runners and walkers.

The Run to the Beach 5K and 1-Mile Easter Egg Scramble is set to take participants for a mostly flat and fast run or walk along the lakeshore of Portage Lakes State Park, where more than 2000 acres of lakes, camping sites and hiking trails make it a popular recreation spot for boating and fishing here in northeastern Ohio.

Both races start in the parking lot near the beach area with a mix of road and trails and end on the sand on the beach.

Entrants will also receive a tech tshirt in the 5K, food and a goodie bag.

The event benefits the Portage Lakes Advisory Council. Become a race sponsor or donate to our organization by going to our fundraising page HERE. Donations can also be made through the registration process.

Location/Schedule

Portage Lakes State Park (5031 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319)

7:30 AM - Packet Pickup Begins

8:30 AM - 1-Mile Easter Egg Scramble Starts

9:00 AM - 5K Run & Competitive Walk Starts

1-Mile Easter Egg Scramble

• A one-mile race, with Easter eggs along the course. Participants finish on the beach!

• The Easter eggs then can be redeemed for prizes after the race. Parents of children running may run with their child for no additional charge.

• Participants receive a cotton shirt.

• Awards to the Top 3 Overall Males and Females.

5K Run

• Finishers receive a very unique finisher medal!

• Participants get a technical t-shirt.

• Awards to Top 5 Overall Males and Females.

• Additional awards to Top 3 in Age Categories: 11 & Under, 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & Over.

5K Competitive Walk

• All participants must walk the entire event, no running/jogging!

• Finishers receive a very unique medal.

• Participants will get a technical t-shirt.

• Awards to Top 5 Overall Male and Female.

Team Challenge

Largest team wins no matter the time or event!

Winning team will enjoy a team prize. The team leader will be given details of the team prize.

Gather up everyone you know to be on your team. Participants can do either the 5K, 1-Mile, or the Virtual Run/Walk. Each team member signs up individually for their event and can create/join a team when registering for the event. Get your friends and/or co-works together, come up with a unique team name, and come on out! Team members must cross the finish line at the race to count! Virtual members must turn in their completion of event by Friday, May 2nd, at 5:00pm.

Your team leader should create the team and then you can choose it from the dropdown list of existing teams so that no spelling errors occur!

The Connect 5K Run for Youth Missions is a fundraising event that supports the youth of Connect Church in Akron, OH. Our high school and middle school students will serving their local Akron community this summer through partnership with local organizations! Our own backyard matters to God and also matters to us. Additionally, students will be going to camp to develop their faith and community with one another. Every step you run and dollar you donate helps get them that much closer to having a life-changing summer they will never forget.

This is also a great course for running on hills!

Clocktower is back for year 6!!!! This is a fast out and back course that will start at Coventry High School, take you down Portage Lakes Drive, almost to the Clocktower, a quick jaunt through a neighborhood, and then back down to the high school. There will be prizes, awards, awesome medals, and most importantly; FUN!!! This race supports the Coventry Cross Country Team and the proceeds from this race will help send them to XC camp this summer and will buy them new shoes and spikes this fall! We will have a fastest stroller and fastest dog category!!! We will also host a 1 mile fun run on the road immediately following the 5k.

The Bulldog Color Run at Green Middle School is a high‑energy, family‑friendly celebration of school spirit, fitness, and fun. Students, families, staff, and community members come together for a vibrant run (or walk!) through a course filled with bursts of bright, eco‑friendly color powder. Whether participants sprint, jog, or stroll, everyone crosses the finish line covered in color and full of Bulldog pride. This event isn’t about speed—it’s about community, movement, and memorable moments. Along the route, volunteers cheer runners on while color stations add excitement at every turn.

The Bulldog Color Run supports Green Middle School PTSA programs and encourages students to stay active while having a blast with friends and family.

Every participant will receive a shirt, medal, bag, sunglasses, bandana and individual color packet to start off the race with a burst of color!

Stop by after your run to check out our vendor tables and food trucks!

The Raider Run is a fundraising event that supports the Junior ROTC program at Green High School in Green, Ohio and is a fun family event for ALL!

The Raider Run consists of the following:

• 3K Terrain Run through Southgate Park with 12 obstacles that will test your strength and stamina....and when you make it to the end, you will be sliding down the GIANT 150 foot slip-n-slide! Two things are guaranteed: you will get messy, and you will HAVE FUN!

All ages are welcome, and accommodations will be available for anyone unable to complete an obstacle. Race participants will be sent onto the course every 15 minutes, and you may select your start time during registration.

• 1 mile Veterans Honor Walk -- If a leisurely stroll is more your style, sign up to participate in the 1 mile Veterans Honor Walk at 11am. This walk is dedicated to the men and women that have served our great country, and a portion of all proceeds will go directly to supporting local veteran organizations including SAM Center (Serving Area Veterans) and The Veterans Advisory Commission of Green.

And of course, you can always sign up to participate in both! If you select this option, you may select any available start time for the obstacle race, and will then walk the Honor Walk at 11am.

We hope you plan to join us for a fun day of music, games, exercise, and kicking off the start of summer for a great cause! We look forward to seeing you there!