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Date:
Sat, Aug 01, 2026 at 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location:
1040 Copley Road
Akron, Ohio
44320
United States
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Links:
westakron5k.com Register at runsignup.com
Tags:
1 Miles 3.1 Miles 5k Run Walk

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.

More races nearby

  • Run 4 Hope - 5K Run/Walk [runsignup.com]

    Sat, May 30, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    You're Invited to the Run 4 Hope 5K Run & Walk!

    Date: Saturday, May 30th

    Time: 8:00 AM

    Location: Bath Community Park, 1615 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road

    Benefiting: The American Cancer Society’s Hope...

    You're Invited to the Run 4 Hope 5K Run & Walk!

    Date: Saturday, May 30th

    Time: 8:00 AM

    Location: Bath Community Park, 1615 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road

    Benefiting: The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge - The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program provides a free of charge home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers who have to travel to get cancer treatments. More than just a roof over their heads, it’s a nurturing community that helps patients access the care they need. Each Hope Lodge community offers a supportive, homelike environment where guests can share a meal, join in the evening’s activities, or unwind in their own private room. Learn More about Hope Lodge

    Join us for the Run 4 Hope 5K Run & Walk, a community-driven event dedicated to supporting the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, which provides free housing for individuals traveling for cancer treatments.

    🌿 About the Course

    This scenic event will take place on the beautiful running and walking trails of the Bath Township Nature Preserve, offering participants of all ages and abilities the opportunity to take part.

    🏃 For Runners: Challenge yourself on our chip-timed, competitive 5K course. We will award medals to the top 3 Overall Male and top 3 Overall Female finishers. We will also present awards to the top 3 males and top 3 females in the following age groups: 10&under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80&up

    🚶 For Walkers: Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque preserve.

    💻 Virtual Option: Can’t make it in person? Sign up as a Virtual Runner/Walker, complete your 5K anytime, and we’ll mail you your event shirt!

    This will be a fun-filled community event for a great cause! Don’t miss your chance to make a difference. Register today to secure your spot!

    7.9 km from Akron
    1615 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Fairlawn, Ohio, 44333, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    3.1 Miles 5k Run Trail Virtual Walk

  • Kenmore Cowbell 7K [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    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...

    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+

    4.7 km from Akron
    1000 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, Ohio, 44314, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    1 Miles 7k Run Trail

  • ADM Recovery Challenge 5K & 1-Mile Family Fun Walk [racepenguin.com] [Register at runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Description

    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...

    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+

    7.6 km from Akron
    I 277;US 224, Akron, Ohio, 44319, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    1 Miles 5k Run Trail Walk

  • 2026 Akron Aruna Run [arunaproject.com] [Register at raceroster.com]

    Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM

    Description

    2026 Akron Aruna Run

    June 13, 2026

    **Register by May 25th to guarantee t-shirt and size

    7.1 km from Akron
    3807 Ridgewood Road, Summit County, Ohio, 44321, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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  • The Joe Lutz North Hill 5K [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    The 6th Annual North Hill 5K is a great local event and included in the Akron Promise Race Series. We are honoring long time Track & Field,/Football Coach/Teacher, Joe Lutz. This year's event will...

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    Price increase to $35 on May 1st. Proceeds benefit Akron North High School Athletics and the AECHS Running Club

    5.9 km from Akron
    760 Elma St, Akron, Ohio, 44310, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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