3-3-G0

COURTESY OF AKRON MARATHON

The 3-3-G0! Dial into ou r spor ts scene. It’s off the hoo k.

Join In. These are just a few of the places to test your mettle whether you walk, run or ride.

Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series

A blue stripe runs down Akron roads for miles—26.2 of them to be exact. It marks the route of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, the marquee event of this race series now celebrating its 20th year. The series begins in June and ends with its capstone race in September. The series is a true community-wide celebration of health and home, and funds raised benefi t numerous non-profi t organizations.

Regal Beagle Ultra Marathon

More than 250 runners turn out each November for this 50K run through wetlands, woodlands and hills in Bath Township. Proceeds benefi t area parks. Those whose expectations are a bit more modest can run a 25K or 5K.

Hall of Fame Marathon

Four races make up this series that highlights the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. It begins with a 5K on the NFL Draft Day in Akron, followed by a marathon, half-marathon and team relay. In September, a 5K coincides with the start of football season. Proceeds benefi t the Timken Family Cancer Center.

Up, Up and Away 5K

Part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in summer, this race draws hundreds of runners, walkers, parents with strollers and trotters with pets. Hot air balloons, in town for the weekend’s Balloon Classic, fl oat overhead.

Huntington Towpath Century Ride

A fundraiser for the beloved Ohio & Erie Canalway, a designated National Heritage Area, this 101mile ride traverses the towpath trail from Settler’s Point in Cleveland to Massillon. Do it in one day or two.

Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree

Each fall, hundreds of hikers lace up their boots to log miles at 15 designated trails in the Metro Parks. Complete eight trails, earn a hiking staff or shield. It’s the oldest community hike of its kind in the nation.

. . . or go fan-crazy for your favorite teams.

The Pros

The Cleveland Guardians—rebranded and renewed—play at Progressive Field, just a 35-minute drive from downtown Akron. It’s a fan-friendly ballpark, from its raised bullpens to its Kids Clubhouse. Stadium Journey named it the best MLB ballpark in 2019.

The Cleveland Browns attract some of the most passionate fans in the NFL, win or lose. Just check out the insane Dawg Pound posse during the fourth quarter. FirstEnergy Stadium on the shores of Lake Erie is a gorgeous place to see a game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers play at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which underwent complete renovations a couple of years ago. It’s a full fan and family experience. It’s also home to the AHL’s Monsters, the top affi liate of the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team.

The Akron RubberDucks,

whose home is Canal Park in the heart of downtown Akron, is the minor league AA affi liate of the Cleveland Guardians. Games, mascots, extreme food and up-and-

Hall of Fame Marathon

COURTESY OF HALL OF FAME MARATHON

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic

coming players make the Ducks a budget-friendly blast.

Legends of golf such as Ernie Els and Fred Couples take on the famed Firestone Country Club’s south course for the PGA Tour’s Bridgestone Senior Players Championship in July. After play, families can enjoy concerts and great food. Proceeds benefi t many local charities.

The NFL’s annual Hall of Fame Game takes place in August in Canton, the birthplace of professional football. The game, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, is part of the week-long festivities celebrating the induction of the game’s icons into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Go College!

The University of Akron Zips: 17 varsity NCAA Division I teams in the Mid America Conference, including a nationally ranked men’s soccer team.

Kent State Golden Flashes: 19 varsity NCAA Division I teams, including football and men’s track and fi eld, the Mid America Conference champions.

Malone University Pioneers, Canton: 18 varsity Division II teams in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, including newly formed men’s and women’s lacrosse teams

Walsh University Cavaliers, North Canton: 20 varsity Division II teams in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, including football at the new Larry Staudt Field.

University of Mount Union Purple

Raiders, Alliance: 22 varsity Division III teams in the Ohio Athletic Conference, including a century-old and storied football team

College of Wooster Fighting Scots: 23 varsity Division III teams in the North Coast Athletic Conference, of which it was a charter member.

96

University of Mount Union Football

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION ATHLETICS

Towpath Trilogy

MORE LOVE

96 The University of Akron’s mascot is a kangaroo named Zippy. She’s one of only eight female mascots in the country. She may look adorable, but she can pack a punch.

97 The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic attracts balloonists from throughout the United States. Tens of thousands of festival goers watch the colorful balloons fl y over Stark County.

98 The rivalry between Canton McKinley and Massillon’s Washington high schools is one of the longest and fi ercest in the nation.

They’ve been playing each other for 132 years, and more than 20,000 fans show up to the annual game. There have been movies made about it. And every baby born in Massillon is gifted a stuff ed tiger (Washington’s mascot) from the high school’s athletic director.

99 The University of Akron’s men’s soccer team, one-time national champs, has cultivated many of Major League Soccer’s best players. There are 20-25 UA grads in the MLS in any given year.

They’ve been playing each other for 132 years, and more than 20,000 fans show up to the annual game. There have been movies made about it. And every baby born in Massillon is gifted a stuff ed tiger (Washington’s mascot) from the high school’s athletic director. There are 20-25 UA grads in the MLS in any given year.

SMART MOVE

DALLAS GRUNDY

The University of Akron, Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Offi cer

LATIFAH GRUNDY

The University of Akron, Coordinator of Student Development and Student Partnerships Moved from Marlton, NJ to Akron in November 2020. Biggest surprise: The area is a beautiful place with a lot of personality. We were not surprised with the cold weather and snow; however, we were surprised by the snow showers late into April and May. Out-of-town visitor picks: Ken Stewart’s Grille, the Akron Zoo, The University of Akron campus, Akron Civic Theatre, Goodyear Hangar, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and the Hall of Fame museums. Day-off Fun: Dining out, visiting Handel’s or Strickland’s ice cream, attending sporting events.

On the business/nonprofi t climate:

We appreciate the thriving small businesses in the local area and the many nonprofi t organizations such as the Akron Urban League, Summit Education Initiative, and local fraternity and sorority chapters that support education, health and family. Tips for newcomers: Be open- minded and immerse yourself into the community. You’ll love it!