Puzzle Dash 5K

On Saturday, June 6, Akron Promise will host the fifth annual Kenmore Cowbell 7k, which highlights the Summit Lake Trail as well as Akron’s Music Row, Kenmore Boulevard, where guitar shops and percussion are plentiful.

The Cowbell 7k is unique not only in its distance but in its combination of natural and urban experiences. The race will kick off at 8 a.m. at the historic Rialto Theatre to the sound of guitars and cow bells. It will continue east on Kenmore Boulevard to the south end of Summit Lake, Akron's only glacial lake, where runners will connect to the Towpath via the Summit Lake Trail. A bridge will take them across the water past Summit Metro Parks’ Summit Lake Nature Center and Summit Lake Park. Runners will cross the Ohio & Erie Canal via a second bridge and head west, then south along the north side of the lake through a picturesque neighborhood. Runners will experience a slight uphill roll on Kenmore Boulevard which will level out, then head slightly downhill to finish to a bevy of Will Ferrell wannabes cheering them on with more cowbell than the Blue Oyster Cult can shake a drumstick at.

The finishers’ medal will include a literal cowbell: complete with ringer and all. Runners who finish five of the Akron Promise City Series races will receive a specially designed medal by an Akron Artist.

According to the race’s organizer, Nick Korora, a 1996 graduate of Kenmore High School, the origins of the cowbell theme are all local. Ellen Benn, known to Kenmore residents as “Grandma Benn,” was known as Kenmore High School’s biggest cheerleader. For over 60 years, she was a fixture at Kenmore High School sporting events, ringing her signature cowbell for the likes of the country’s longest-serving Mayor Don Plusquellic and former New York Jets players Dave and Don Buckey.

Although Benn died in 2006, Korora sees the race as an opportunity to keep her spirit alive.

“Spectators are a huge part of this race, just as Grandma Benn was a huge part of our childhoods,” Korora explained. “We offer a variety of race packages, so whether you want to be an athlete, Grandma Benn or Will Ferrell for the day, there’s an opportunity for everyone to participate and have fun.”

Proceeds from the race will provide resources, mentorship and post-secondary scholarships to Akron Public School students in Kenmore and surrounding communities.

Discounted registration is available until April 5, 2026

Aware Categories

Top 3 Active Military of Veterans

Top 3 Kenmore High School Graduates

Top 3 Breast Cancer Survivors

Top 3 Female and Male Adult and Youth Champions

Top 3 Male And Female in these Age Categories

18-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-50

60-64

65-69

70+

Event Overview

We’ll once again feature community resource tables, along with activities for all ages. The event is designed to celebrate community connections, wellness, and fun for everyone.

5K Challenge

This 5K offers friendly competition for athletes of all ages and abilities. The course features winding trails, hills, and other obstacles, symbolizing the challenges many individuals overcome on their recovery journey. All participants receive a medal.

1-Mile Family Fun Walk

The Family Fun Walk is a great way to get everyone involved! Each paid participant receives a custom shirt. Kids under 5 years old are $5.

Event Schedule

Saturday, June 6, 2026

• 8:00 AM – Packet Pickup & Registration

• 9:00 AM – 5K Start

• 9:15 AM – 1-Mile Start

Awards

5K Awards

Top 3 in each age group:

• 10 & Under

• 11–18

• 19-30

• 31-45

• 46-55

• 56+

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.

Get ready for a fun-filled morning at the Doylestown Doughboy 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk, part of the Rogues Hollow Festival in downtown Doylestown, Ohio!

Starting and finishing by the iconic Doughboy statue honoring our World War I heroes, it's a day packed with excitement. After the race, enjoy treats and entertainment, plus snag a t-shirt, a Lion's Club donut, and post-race snacks.

Winners in each age group of the 5K race take home medals, with special awards for overall champs.

On August 8, the the 5K run begins at 8:00am followed by the1 Mile Walk at 8:10am, Volunteers will guide you along village and residential streets, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Every step supports the Rogues Hollow Festival, so lace up your shoes and join the fun! 🏃‍♂️🎉