West Akron 5k & 1mi Run/Walk

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

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

Kylie Rose's Run

Thanks for your supporting our Mission

Shirt Availability

Please note that the guaranteed shirt date is July 30. If you register after that date, shirts will be available based on a first come first serve basis. You may not receive a shirt when you check in.

We have added a new category - Celebration Supporter ($20)

"Not running or walking? Join us as a celebration supporter! Receive an event shirt and be part of this special final Kylie Rose's Run, as we honor, remember, and celebrate together.

Packet Pick Up Schedule 2026

There will be early packet pick up on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in the parking lot at Copley High School next to the newly renovated stadium at 3807 Ridgewood Rd, Copley, Ohio 44321 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

We highly encourage you to pick up your packets early. You can also pick up your friend’s or family’s packet.

Packet pick up on race day will be inside the stadium from 2:00 pm until 3:30 p.m.

Day of Race Timeline

Packet Pick Up 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Program Begins 3:45 pm

Hero’s Dash 3:55 pm

5K Run Start 4:00 pm

1 Mile Competitive Run Start 4:45 pm

1 Mile Family Fun Walk/Run 5:00 pm

For 2026 we are celebrating our 12th Anniversary!

We appreciate ALL your support, making it possible to raise more funds for the patients and their families in the fight and to continue to fund pediatric cancer research

We are pleased to announce that both the competitive 1 Mile run and the 5K run will both be chipped timed. The 5K Run will start first at 4:00pm and will be followed by the 1 mile Competitive Run at 4:45pm. Both races will finish under the black finish line arch

BENEFITING PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND RESEARCH

We would like to thank everyone for your unprecedented support for the last 11 years.

Because of you, we have been able to donate over $300,000.00 to Akron Children’s Hospital’s Oncology and Hematology Floor. We have also been able to deliver over 6,000 Kylie’s Bags of Love which have a value of $350,000!

Kylie Rose's Run will be in-person this year, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, however, you may choose the virtual option as well. We want to keep our community connected and motivated!! Together we can help each other and also support our mission - to help those in the fight against pediatric cancer - both financially and with funds supporting research!

All in-person and virtual participants will receive a high-quality short sleeve shirt. All full marathoners will receive both a short sleeve shirt and also a long sleeve hoodie.

These are your options for this 2026:

5K - $40

Virtual 5K - $45 This price include shipping

Competitive 1 Mile - $20.00

Family Fun Run - $20.00

Individual Marathon - $75.00 (participants receive short sleeve and hoodie) YOU HAVE THE MONTH OF AUGUST TO RUN YOUR 26.2 MILES. YOU MAY SAVE THE LAST 3.1 MILES TO FINISH AT KYLIE ROSE’S RUN 5K ON AUGUST 31 - FINISH IN THE STADIUM! OR YOU MAY COMPLETE THE ENTIRE MARATHON VIRTUALLY.

Virtual Marathon - $85.00 This price include shipping costs

Heroes Dash - No Charge

Bags of Love Donation - $35

***** You should plan to complete your virtual run anytime between August 1 and August 30. Please share pictures on Kylie Rose's Run Facebook and Instagram pages!

***** If you are running the Individual Marathon, you may split up your 26 miles between several days if you would like. Just be sure to add up your times.

***** Please note that we will be accepting "Bags of Love" donations at the shirt pick up. We are in need of journals, Gel pens, playing cards, socks with tags, nail polish, play dough, coloring books, teen coloring books, colored pencils, small stuffed animals with tags, etc. These items go to patients at Akron Children's Hospital and cost us around $35 per bag (including cost of fabric) and are very well received.

The Kylie Rose's Run is an Ohio non-profit (Tax ID # 82-5305754)

Kylie Roses Run was inspired by Kylie and her family during her fight against cancer. She and her family put on an annual 5K & Family Fun Run that benefits Akron Children's Hospital's Oncology Department. Kylie also decided to make Kylie's Bags of Love, which are bags stuffed with fun items for the children in the hospital.

Kylie Rose’s Run is celebrating its 12th Annual 5K event. Kylie Rose Jacobs, at the age of five, was diagnosed with cancer on January 6, 2015 and has since been treated at Akron Children’s Hospital. She has BEAT CANCER THREE TIMES! This year’s race proceeds will directly support the patients and their families and will help fund pediatric cancer research.

Sponsors/Donations/Volunteers

If you are interested in making a donation, being a sponsor, donating items, or helping, please email Carrie Jacobs at:

[email protected]

No Refunds - No Transfers - No Rollovers