West Akron 5k & 1mi Run/Walk

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

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 1, 2026!

🎯 Event Purpose

• Goal: To unite the community in a spirit of wellness and philanthropy while raising funds to benefit students in the community.
• Support: 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.
• Aim: This 5K Race Initiative aims to bring awareness of disparities with diabetes, high blood pressure, and the risk of stroke among men.
• Resources: Ensuring our schools receive the necessary resources to provide the best education possible for our children.

🏅 Race History

• Founder: The West Akron 5K was founded by two-time Iraq war veteran and Buchtel alumni Mary Anderson (class of 1994) in 2013.
• Community Focus: Aiming to unify a community around wellness and philanthropy benefiting the students in the Buchtel Cluster and citizens in Summit County.
• COVID-19 Response: Expanded efforts into education about COVID-19, testing, and providing vaccines and boosters.
• Fundraising: Raising funds to supply necessary resources to our cluster schools while promoting healthy living within the community.

❤️ How to Support

• Participation: We need your support to take both of these important issues head on!
• Options: If you can’t run you can walk. If you can’t walk you can still donate!
• Community Impact: Your involvement will benefit the children and families within our community.
• Learn More: For more information, please visit here.