Maura Lemon wins the women’s division
Dayton resident Maura Lemon, 35, crossed the finish line as the winner of the women’s division of the 2024 Akron marathon with a time of 2:52:36.
“Winning the Akron marathon has been on the bucket list for a long time,” Lemon said.
This was her second time running the full marathon in the Rubber City (she took third in 2019). Lemon, who is an Akron native and graduate of Archbishop Hoban, said she’ll absolutely return next year to defend her medal.
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Winning the Akron half marathon in 2016 was the spark that lit her fire to win the full marathon. She’s been chasing the energy and elation she felt then since.
Lemon races regularly and said the course in Akron is one of the region’s most demanding.
“The Akron full [marathon] is a race that demands respect,” she said. “It’s a tough course.”
Aaron Davidson takes first in 2024 Akron marathon men’s division
Aaron Davidson, 24, took first place in the 22nd annual Akron marathon. The resident of Flagstaff, Arizona, finished with a time of 2:25:30.
Dylan Garritano: Taking a victory lap
Last year’s winner of the Akron marathon is taking a victory lap this year, but that didn’t stop him from breaking the top five.
Dylan Garritano, a Highland Square resident and city planner with local government, has had a great run the past six races. He placed second in 2018, 2021 and 2022, took third in 2019 and won in 2023.
He’s looking forward to his post-race treat: a beer at Akronym Brewery downtown.
He said Akron is a tough course for competitors, one you have to push through with big hills in all the most difficult places. Even with high humidity and a threat of rain, he said it’s a highlight day for the city.
“It’s a great day to show off the city for out of towners,” Garritano said.
Gary Lewis: Medals for ‘newbies’
Gary Lewis does it for the smiles.
He’s been volunteering with the marathon for the past seven or eight years and is always at the finish line. He says it’s the most fun, especially when he hands a medal to a “newbie.”
“[You see] everything from exhaustion to exhilaration,” he said. Oftentimes both at the same time.
Other than rewarding the new runners with their first medals, he hands out series medals for competitors who complete all three annual Akron races.
Christopher Greer: XC coach leads by example
Christopher Greer finished his fourth half marathon in the past six weeks in just over two hours.
The 51-year-old cross country coach at St. Ambrose School in Brunswick picked up competitive running in 2019. He runs to lead by example.
“How can I lead them if I don’t get out there myself? “ he asked.
Ian Heim: Running with Dad
With only about a week of preparation, Ian Heim finished his third half marathon in under two hours.
The Green native, living in Akron, ran alongside his dad until about the 10th mile, when his dad told him to take the lead and finish strong.
“I want to support him,” Heim said of his dad. “He works all year for [the marathon].”
Regina Walker: Greeting the finishers
Regina Walker has been handing out water and congratulating runners for more than 10 years at the finish line of the Akron marathon.
She chooses the finish line so she can see her nephew, a regular racer, cross it.
“I always want to either hand him his bottle of water or hand him his medal,” she said.
Serving Gatorade and smiles
If you’re old enough to remember The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69), you’d appreciate Mike Miller and Doug McDowell, two volunteers with the First Congregational Church of Hudson.
Miller and McDowell stood near the edge of the marathon course, offering participants half cups of Gatorade (lemon lime) and their quick wit. The banter lightens the mood for runners during the 26.2-mile course.
It’s the kind of comedy you’d expect from two volunteers who know each other so well.
McDowell: “They didn’t tell me we’d have to get up at 4:30 a.m.”
Miller: “What we will dream about: ‘Gatorade!’ — I’ll tell you that.”
McDowell: “I think people are coming around twice.”
Miller: “Oh trust me, they’re not coming around twice.”
Prevailing!
Bernard Prince suffers from a muscle-wasting disease. But he refuses to waste away.
Instead, the product of Canton McKinley High School sat in his special Cleveland Browns-inspired wheelchair, ready to try it out for the first time.
“First race in this chair,” he said. “This is my first time sitting in it.”
Prince: 1. Kugelberg-Welander Syndrome: 0.
The disease, also known as spinal muscular atrophy, affected Prince for years, dating back at least to high school, before he was diagnosed. Prince, 62, was one of several wheelchair participants in Saturday’s race. To his left, Josh Sommers of Columbus prepared to compete in the wheelchair division for the third time.
Cost of his wheelchair — a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber: Approximately $5,000.
Never too old for mom’s support
About 45 minutes before the start of Saturday’s road race, Sherry Saltsman sat in her folding chair near the intersection of High and Market streets, eager to cheer one of her sons as he embarked on his first half marathon experience.
She came ready, with an umbrella in case it rains; a map; and snacks.
“I love the energy, and the excitement, for sure,” Saltsman said.
Wesley Saltsman, 31, a product of Ravenna High School, is a registered nurse in the pulmonary care unit at Summa Health System’s Akron campus.
And he is not too old to enjoy support from mom.
Two wheels to the rescue: Cyclists on hand to assist runners
During her time as an Akron Marathon volunteer, Connie Powell has changed the flat tires of wheelchair riders — and on her own bike.
Other bike riders have administered first aid. And, of course, they get a free workout.
It’s an important job with thousands of participants running, jogging and walking the streets of Akron.
“Many of our riders are runners. They’ve done the team relay a couple of times. We have some people that are just bike enthusiasts,” said Steve Briggs, 67, who leads the group of 23 bike riders who provide assistance along the 26.2 mile route.
The brands of their two-wheeled tools of speed ranged from Trek and Specialized to Schwinn and Bianchi. The group included former Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, an avid cyclist.
Eleanor Sovacool: Cheering for runners by name
Enthusiasm is the strategy Eleanor Sovacool uses to entice runners to choose the cups of Gatorade she’s offering to runners.
A three-time veteran of the Akron half marathon, Eleanor has been volunteering alongside her sister for more than 20 years.
“The best part is when you can read their names on their bibs and cheer for them,” she said. “That’s my favorite part.”
Father-son duo supporting the community
Liam, 12, a two-time winner of the Akron kids marathon, is planning to join the adults next year for the team relay race. This is his third year volunteering.
After filling up Gatorade and water cups as the sun rose, he’s standing by with a yard rake to clean up discarded cups.
His father, Aaron, is in his first year volunteering with the marathon. Last year he ran the team relay. Why does he volunteer?
“It’s just the atmosphere,” he said.
He’s an Akron family man and said he loves working with other families to help support the community.
Mariam Sovacool: Volunteering since the marathon ‘was a baby’
Mariam Sovacool has been volunteering for the marathon for more than 20 years, starting around 2012 helping out her father.
“The marathon was a baby then,” she said.
Now, she’s in charge of the Firestone Park water station at mile 8 and continuing her father’s legacy of helping the runners stay hydrated and on their fastest pace.
“He did it as a way to reach out with the Akron Touchdown Club Foundation,” she said.
Her sister is running the relay, and she has several close friends in the race, including someone who has run more than 50 marathons total.
First-person run: Dogs at the finish line helped
Things I rarely do: Wake up at 5 a.m. and run.
I did both Saturday morning with the encouragement of my Akron Marathon relay team.
I’m neither a natural athlete nor a fan of crowds, so this was a step outside my comfort zone.
Many steps, actually.
But casual trail runs, walks and bike rides in recent years have blessed me with a sense of purpose and determination. So instead of meandering, I shifted my mentality and got out of bed before sunrise.
My reward: I achieved a goal with others. It helped to see lots of dogs at the end of the race.
I think, maybe, I understand this whole running thing now.
— Brittany Nader
Running through Akron
The marathon, half marathon and team relay started at 7 a.m. in downtown Akron on High Street next to the Akron Art Museum and will finish in front of Canal Park (Akron RubberDucks stadium).
After crossing the finish line, racers and their supporters can enjoy the FirstEnergy Finisher Festival featuring live music and food trucks.
The route, called the Blue Line, takes runners through North Hill, past the University of Akron, into Firestone Park, along the Towpath Trail, and through Sand Run Park before circling back along West Market Street to downtown.
View course maps, complete with water stations and bathroom markers, on the marathon website.
