12 events in Akron, Ohio
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find 5k events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Akron
12 events in Akron-
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
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
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A one-mile race, with Easter eggs along the course. Participants finish on the beach!
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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.
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Participants receive a cotton shirt.
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Awards to the Top 3 Overall Males and Females.
5K Run
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Finishers receive a very unique finisher medal!
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Participants get a technical t-shirt.
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Awards to Top 5 Overall Males and Females.
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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
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All participants must walk the entire event, no running/jogging!
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Finishers receive a very unique medal.
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Participants will get a technical t-shirt.
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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!
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Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 5:00 PMSee full details
Join us for the 2026 Race Judicata on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 5:00pm from the University of Akron School of Law. All proceeds benefit the Akron Bar Foundation that provides scholarships and law related grants.
Course: The course is on the University of Akron Campus.
Awards: Top Male and Female Finishers in the following categories: Top Overall and Top Age Groups: 24 and under, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75+, and Tortoise (last to cross)
Law Student Team Competition - Join your class members and compete as a team! Time to race for bragging rights!
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Sat, Apr 25, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
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!
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Sat, May 02, 2026 at 8:40 AMSee full details
Come join us for our 2nd Annual Donut Dash 5k run/walk that supports the Women's Auxiliary Board (WAB) of Summit County Children's Services!
This 5K route begins and ends at Hardesty Park in Wallhaven, West Akron. This mostly flat route will take runners and walkers through the picturesque neighborhood of Castle Park. The ending is extra sweet: get a free donut as soon as you cross the finish line!
NEW EVENT: Kids Fun Run! This untimed race will be before the 5k begins.
Featured on the Akron Promise Race Series for 2026!
Run or walk in style with your new race t-shirt, included with registration. Runners, walkers, and strollers are welcome!
Race award prizes to be announced.
We will also have a raffle table at the event on race day.
Register by 4/13 to guarantee your T-shirt!
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Sat, May 16, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
Please join us this year for our 14th annual running of the Race for Case. Race for Case is a community-oriented event benefiting all students of Case CLC. Profits from the event have helped us build our permanent greenhouse on school grounds and fund a set of digital microscopes, a VR system, and school events. Help us continue our tradition of successfully funding projects that provide our students with equipment and opportunities many APS students miss out on.
The Race for Case is just one of the Neighborhood races in the Akron Promise City Series, held to support community organizations, promote youth opportunity, explore Akron, and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
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Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
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
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8:00 AM – Packet Pickup & Registration
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9:00 AM – 5K Start
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9:15 AM – 1-Mile Start
Awards
5K Awards
Top 3 in each age group:
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10 & Under
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11–18
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19-30
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31-45
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46-55
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56+
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Sat, Jun 20, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
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 take place at the North Hill Community Development Corporation in North Hill on Saturday June 20th at 8:00 AM
Price increase to $35 on May 1st. Proceeds benefit Akron North High School Athletics and the AECHS Running Club
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Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 7:30 AMSee full details
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+
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Sat, Aug 01, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
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.
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Sun, Aug 09, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
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
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Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
Start Time
Registration/Packet Pick Up- 8:00am
5K Run/1 Mile Walk - 9:00 a.m.
Timing
5K is Bib-Tag chip timed
1 Mile Walk is untimed
What Is PS I Love you?
The "P.S. I Love You" event honors Patrick Steurer, a 1997 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and a dedicated member of the downtown Akron YMCA. An avid runner, Patrick completed his first half marathon in under two hours in 2013 and aimed to run his first full marathon in 2015. Unfortunately, he tragically passed away during a training run before achieving this goal. His father and board member emeritus, Dan Steurer, was involved in the YMCA for many years, including chairing the Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K for two decades. Today, we honor the Steurer legacy…Patrick’s positive spirit and support for others at the YMCA left a lasting impact.
He is remembered fondly by all who knew him. Patrick Steurer, we love you.
Registration
Pre-Registration
Until August 31st
$30
September 1st through race day
$35
Register by September 1 to be guaranteed a t-shirt
5K Awards
Top Male and Female Overall
Top Male and Female Master Overall (60+)
Top Male and Female Junior Overall (18 & Under)
*Dogs are allowed at this race but we ask that you line up in the back and have a short leash.
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Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
The fall tradition is back!
Get ready to tackle the 5K (3.1 miles) in downtown Akron this October. Open to all ages and abilities, runners and walkers will enjoy a picture-perfect course. After crossing the finish line, enjoy a cup of apple cider while you choose the perfect pumpkin!
Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run has become a tradition for hundreds of thousands of fall-natics since 2012. Your registrations helps support Girls on the Run, who is dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Registration Includes:
-Entry to the 5K
-2026 Lightweight Tech Hoodie, perfect for fall running weather
-2026 finisher's medal
-Commemorative race bib with chip timing
-Cup of apple cider at the finish line
-Small pumpkin to take home
Local Clubs & Organizations
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Club
USA Swimming Club. 158 members.
[email protected] +1 330-972-5972