AkRun & Crawl: After Dark Recap

Photos by Tim Fitzwater

The milestone 10th Annual Torchbearers AkRun & Crawl was held on Saturday May 21, 2016. For the second year in a row, the event was held in the Merriman Valley, and for the first time ever, the event was held "After Dark," incorporating glow-in-the-dark elements along the course. 

This high-energy event kicked off with a 5K that started from the front of BCG & Co. Runners were taken along the scenic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which was illuminated with LED lights, bright flashing balloons, and glow sticks that lined the course. In addition, all runners were given neon glow accessories, including necklaces and bracelets.



It was a cool spring evening, and the  sunset provided a perfect backdrop to kick off the night. DJ Garrick Black provided music to get the participants amped up for the run. AkRun & Crawl Committee member Patrick Bravo gave announcements, and introduced special guest Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan to provide remarks.



Torchbearers President Nicole Mullet also spoke to thank the runners, and soon enough, the horn sounded and the runners started on the course!  With thoughts of cold adult beverages, as well as  cheers from volunteers and beats from DJ Ben Fulkman, all of the runners made their way across the finish line. The athletes’ efforts were rewarded with bananas and water (provided by Giant Eagle) to help with their recovery before moving on to the next phase of the night.

A banner welcoming runners to the bars!

The next portion of the night was the bar crawl. This year, a total of 5 bars were along the crawl path, including The Corner Bar, The Lazy Gator, Shots, Woody's Tavern, and the starting point, Johnny J's. The participants were given special custom mugs that gave them drink specials for the night. Johnny J’s provided free (and delicious) burgers, hot dogs and sides. Drink specials were available at each bar, including "birthday cake" shots in honor of the "10th birthday" of the AkRun & Crawl.



This year’s AkRun & Crawl event brought in a record high number of registrations (454)! A big thank you definitely goes out to the event co-chairs, Michael Evans and Brian Berg, for a successful turnout.



We also would like to thank our sponsors: Brouse McDowell, Giant Eagle, Riverview Property Management and Yoga Bliss.

Torchbearers looks forward to seeing everyone at next year’s 11th Annual Torchbearers AkRun & Crawl!

Running Recap 2015!

Photo by Zipper City Blog

Most all runners love to look back at the end of each year to reflect on their accomplishments and milestones. While I only ran in 10 races this year (as compared to 14 in 2015 and 20 in 2013), many of them were significant in my career: I ran in one of my fastest 5Ks ever (Warren Fit 5K in 23:02) and I ran in my 3rd ever half marathon (the Pro Football Hall Of Fame Half Marathon in Canton). In addition, I did some runs that had a fun element or theme added in unlike any I have done before (such as carrying a pumpkin the entire way in the Great Pumpkin Run and stopping to chug beers in the Ultimate Beer Run).

Included on the list is one run that was not done in Ohio (the Across The Bay 10K). I do feel a bit like a cheater for putting that race on this site. But, it was a very significant race for me in 2015! Either way, I am happy to have successfully completed over 47 competitive miles in one year!

Below, you can find links to all 10 of these events from 2015 in chronological order! Hopefully these can give your ideas for races you can run in the New Year!

1. Pro Football Hall of Fame (Half) Marathon (April 2015 – 13.1 miles in 2:08:00 - Canton)
2. AkRun & Crawl (May 2015 – 3.1 miles in 24:45 – Merriman Valley)
3. Ultimate Beer Run (May 2015 – 2 miles, in about 1 hour, with beer stops - Columbus)
4. Thirsty Dog 8K (June 2015 – 4.97 miles in 42:37 - Akron)
5. Warrior Dash Ohio II (August 2015 – 3.1 miles, untimed – North Lawrence)
6. Warren Fit 5K (August 2015 – 3.1 miles in 23:02 - Warren)
7. Wellness Walk & Run (September 2015 – 3.1 miles, untimed - Stow)
8. Akron Marathon Relay Team (September 2015 – 5.8 miles in approx. 48:00 - Akron)
9. Great Pumpkin Run Cincinnati (October 2015 – 3.1 miles in approx. 31:00 - Clarksville)
10. Across The Bay 10K (November 2015 – 6.2 miles in 58:21 – Chesapeake Bay, MD)

AkRun & Crawl Photo Blog

Who: Nearly 300 runners and crawlers
What: Torchbearers AkRun & Crawl
When: May 30, 2015 (and upcoming May, 2016)
Where: The Merriman Valley, Akron
Why: Because what goes better with a 5K than a pub crawl?
How: Lace up your shoes and show up thirsty!

Photos by OHventures and Zipper City Blog

AkRun & Crawl Recap

Photos by OHventures and Zipper City Blog

The 9th Annual Torchbearers’ AkRun & Crawl was held on Saturday May 30, 2015. The event was “Remixed” this year and held in the Merriman Valley, Akron. This high-energy event kicked off with a 5K that started from the front of BCG & Co. Runners were taken along the scenic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

The rain stayed at bay while the run was taking place, and everyone got to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery afforded by the Merriman Valley. With thoughts of cold adult beverages, cheers from volunteers and beats from DJ Garrick Black, all of the runners made their way across the finish line. The athletes’ efforts were rewarded with delicious Nooma drinks and bananas and water (provided by Giant Eagle) to help with their recovery before moving on to the next phase of the night.

Those that were able and willing made their ways down from the finish line to the first of three bars for the crawl. The participants were given special custom mugs that gave them drink specials for the night. Johnny J’s provided free (and delicious) burgers, hot dogs and sides. From the first stop, Johnny J’s Pub, participants crawled to Shot’s and then Woody’s Tavern.

This year’s AkRun & Crawl event brought in a record high number of registrations (281)! A big thank you definitely goes out to the event co-chairs, Patrick Bravo and Michael Evans. 

Race Directors Patrick Bravo and Michael Evans

Additional thanks goes to the people that helped make the rest of the event go smoothly: the TB Events Committee, Brandon Pauley for coordinating the water stops, Jocelyn Grant for heading up the registration, Michael Wilson for the event communications & artwork, Brian Berg for the coordination of the Crawl part of the night, Katie Kline being in charge of the awards, Nolan James for the sponsorships, and Kat Pestian and Leighann Fink as the events committee chairs. 

 
Torchbearers looks forward to seeing everyone at next year’s 10th Annual Torchbearers AkRun & Crawl!

Torchbearers AkRun & Crawl 5K

Torchbearers of Akron is in year #9 of AkRun & Crawl & they’re mixing it up a little!

The 5K run follows the scenic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail through the Merriman Valley before joining your friends for a pub crawl to celebrate your finish in style with adult beverages at a handful of nearby watering holes. You will receive a special-made customized mug to fill up with $2 draught specials during the crawl, along with free food and other goodies.

Pre-register for $25 (run & crawl) or $15 (crawl only) by visiting the official Active.com event page. 

For participants who register by Wednesday, May 27, 2015, a special race bag pick-up will be held at Second Sole Akron on Friday, May 29 from 5-7 PM, 1466 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44313. Shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed. No refunds available for race registration.Last day to register online is Wednesday, May 27, 2015 by 4:00 PM!

Day-of race registration begins at 3:30 PM, with a 5:00 PM race start in front of BCG & Co., located at 1735 Merriman Road in Akron. The pub crawl will kick off directly after the race, around 6:00 PM at Johnny J's Pub, located in the Liberty Commons Shopping Plaza at 1282 Weathervane Lane, Akron, OH 44313. Race results and prizes will also be announced at this location. Additional crawl stops include Shots Bar and Woody's Tavern.

Planning on posting about this event? Use the hashtag #AkRunRemix and help us get the word out!