Kenmore Cowbell 7K

Event Overview

On Saturday, June 6, Akron Promise will host the fifth annual Kenmore Cowbell 7k, which highlights the Summit Lake Trail as well as Akron’s Music Row, Kenmore Boulevard, where guitar shops and percussion are plentiful.

Race Details

• Distance: 7k
• Start Time: 8 a.m.
• Starting Location: Historic Rialto Theatre
• Finish: Cheerful atmosphere with participants and spectators

Route Description

The Cowbell 7k is unique not only in its distance but in its combination of natural and urban experiences. The race will kick off at the historic Rialto Theatre to the sound of guitars and cow bells. It will continue east on Kenmore Boulevard to the south end of Summit Lake, Akron's only glacial lake, where runners will connect to the Towpath via the Summit Lake Trail. A bridge will take them across the water past Summit Metro Parks’ Summit Lake Nature Center and Summit Lake Park. Runners will cross the Ohio & Erie Canal via a second bridge and head west, then south along the north side of the lake through a picturesque neighborhood. Runners will experience a slight uphill roll on Kenmore Boulevard which will level out, then head slightly downhill to finish to a bevy of Will Ferrell wannabes cheering them on with more cowbell than the Blue Oyster Cult can shake a drumstick at.

Awards and Medals

• Finishers’ Medal: Includes a literal cowbell, complete with ringer.
• Special Medals: Awarded to runners finishing five Akron Promise City Series races, designed by an Akron artist.
• Aware Categories: Includes various top achiever awards.
• Categories: Top 3 Active Military, Veterans, High School Graduates, Runners in Age Categories.

Community Spirit

According to the race’s organizer, Nick Korora, a 1996 graduate of Kenmore High School, the origins of the cowbell theme are all local. Ellen Benn, known to Kenmore residents as “Grandma Benn,” was known as Kenmore High School’s biggest cheerleader. For over 60 years, she was a fixture at Kenmore High School sporting events, ringing her signature cowbell for the likes of the country’s longest-serving Mayor Don Plusquellic and former New York Jets players Dave and Don Buckey.

Although Benn died in 2006, Korora sees the race as an opportunity to keep her spirit alive.

“Spectators are a huge part of this race, just as Grandma Benn was a huge part of our childhoods,” Korora explained. “We offer a variety of race packages, so whether you want to be an athlete, Grandma Benn or Will Ferrell for the day, there’s an opportunity for everyone to participate and have fun.”

Proceeds

Proceeds from the race will provide resources, mentorship and post-secondary scholarships to Akron Public School students in Kenmore and surrounding communities.

Registration Information

Discounted registration is available until April 5, 2026.

Cowbell Route

1. Start at the Rialto Theatre, run west on the south side of Kenmore Blvd towards 16th St SW.
2. Make a U-turn at Florida Ave onto the north side of Kenmore Blvd and head east towards 16th St SW.
3. Turn left onto the Summit Lake Trail (after 2nd St SW and before the bridge over the lake).
4. Turn right at the Kiosk on 1st St SW and proceed on the bridge over the lake.
5. Turn left onto the (floating) Towpath Trail.
6. After the Summit Lake Community Center turn left onto the new bridge and trail towards the Summit Lake North Shore.
7. After looping around the lake, keep right at the kiosk on 1st St SW to head back on the trail towards Kenmore Blvd.
8. Turn right on Kenmore Blvd - run on the north side.
9. At 14th St SW switch to the south side of the Kenmore Blvd.
10. Finish at the Rialto Theatre (Sounds like a lot but it’s really simple).

Race Link

For more details, visit the race page: Kenmore Cowbell 7K.