FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
Akron, United States · September · Independent
Why people love it
- Neighbourhood block parties, bands and downtown crowds get repeated praise from runners.
- Smooth shuttles, free parking and wave starts for most reviewers.
- Finish festival at Lock 3 Park with a band, beer garden and food trucks.
- Good Boston preparation course, with 52 Boston qualifiers in 2025.
Watch out for
- Hilly back half: long climb from mile 18 to 22 (29 to 35 km), steep last 0.8 km (0.5 mi).
- The course changed in 2019 and 2025, so older reports may not match.
- Heat and humidity hit some years, with highs up to 26 °C (78 °F).
- Elevation gain and cutoff time are not published.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Very tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.2
RaceRaves shows 4.6 out of 5 from 48 ratings (production 4.7). Most reviewers recommend it; the main complaints are the hills and heat. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.3
RaceRaves production 4.7 out of 5. Runners cite on-time starts and plenty of volunteers; some 2019 reviewers saw shuttle delays and an early gear-check close. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.2
Reviewers describe a long climb from mile 18 to 22 (29 to 35 km). Cutoff not found. Waves help, but the hills suit experienced runners. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.5
Rolling, with a long climb late in the race. Runners call it good Boston preparation rather than a PR course. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.4
RaceRaves scenery 4.2 out of 5. Downtown, Sand Run Metro Park, the Towpath and neighbourhood streets, but mostly a pleasant city and park course. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.5
Wave starts reduce congestion. The course is curvy with frequent turns, and relay zones did not interfere according to a 2016 runner. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Paved city streets with a short Towpath section. No complaints about potholes found, but surface detail is thin. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.0
A 2025 review says it is mostly on closed roads with police and volunteers at junctions. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling2.8
Rolling with several named climbs. Gain is not published; runners call it hillier than most Ohio marathons. Estimate only. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Loop-style course, close to net zero. Boston qualifier (yes). No net drop. · Low confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth4.0
Free parking within a short walk, shuttles that ran smoothly for most 2019 reviewers, and wave starts. Some 2019 shuttle delays. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingGood3.5
Pace groups are not mentioned in the reviews found. Timing is standard and the race has a tracking presence. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
Reviewers repeatedly praise block parties, bands and downtown crowds. A 2016 report found support uneven mid-race, and a 2019 runner found the second half quiet. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.2
Reviewers describe well-spaced hydration stops, plenty of toilets and cooling stations on hot days. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.8
No wind complaints found; a hilly urban and park course. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Race-date highs of 19 to 26 °C (66 to 78 °F). Warm in 2019, humid in 2016, ideal in other years. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Late September in Ohio swings between cool and hot, humid years. Reviewers report both ideal days and heat. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Downtown start and relay exchanges make it easy for friends to cheer. The finish is a party at Lock 3 Park. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.2
About 300 m (980 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
A mid-size city with downtown hotels. A 2016 runner stayed at a downtown Courtyard within walking distance. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood4.0
Ohio rates are moderate. No price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.8
Downtown hotels are walkable to the start. Free parking is also close. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.5
Akron-Canton is about 30 km (19 mi) away and Cleveland Hopkins about 55 km (34 mi). Easy to drive. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.2
Reviewers praise the expo, clear communication and packet pickup. One 2022 reviewer noted a shirt sizing shortage. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.2
Reviewers mention food trucks, a beer garden and a brewery opening at 5 a.m. Akron itself is a modest destination. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.2
Open registration. Sell-out status not found. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyGood value4.0
Reviewers praise color-coded shirts, a detailed medal, a finisher festival with a band, beer garden and food trucks. Fee not found. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Akron, Summit County, United States
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 25 September 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 821 athletes
- First held
- 2003
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Start time
- 07:00
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Closed roads, with a short Towpath (unpaved or compact) section
- How to get in
- open
- Air temperature
- 9–26 °C (48–79 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate to high; a 2016 runner noted a dew point above 16 C (60 F) at the start
- Altitude
- 300 m (985 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Akron-Canton (CAK); Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) for more flights, 30 km (19 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Akron
- Booking
- Downtown hotels are walkable to the start. One runner stayed at the Courtyard Marriott downtown.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves (FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half & Relay)Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
48 runners rate it 4.6 out of 5 (production 4.7, scenery 4.2, difficulty 3.6). Reviewers agree it is a well-run, community-driven race with strong crowds and a tough, hilly back half. A 2023 marathoner disliked a long uphill stretch from mile 18 to 22 (29 to 35 km). Several 2019 reviewers mention heat and shuttle delays. Two older reviews say the course was reshaped to favour half marathoners.
“From about mile 18-22 it's all uphill, with various grades.”
- WeeViews (Akron Marathon, Half, Relay)Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
Four reviewers give it 5 out of 5. They praise the exciting downtown start, crowd support, aid stations and the after party. One mourns the old stadium finish.
“Akron knows how to put on an event!”
- WeeViews review by Lisa Keane (Team ER, incentivized)Raced 2026 · blog · Positive
A mostly trail runner found the expo top notch, parking free, waves effective and roads mostly closed. She called the course challenging and well marked. The review is incentivized, so I discount it.
“Akron knows how to put on an event!”
- RunningAHead forum thread: Akron MarathonRaced 2016 · forum · Positive
A 2016 race report calls the course rolling with one big climb near miles 13 to 14 (21 to 23 km) and praises the on-time start and volunteers. Crowds were uneven but friendly, and mid-60s F (about 18 °C (64 °F)) with a high dew point cost the author time. Another poster liked the crowds and giveaways.
“I recommend this race.”
- Signal Akron: views from the 23rd annual raceRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Local coverage of the 2025 race, which started at 7 a.m. and followed the new Blue Line course to Lock 3. It notes a steep climb on West Market Street in the last half mile (0.8 km), spectators with signs, and runners from 36 states.
“the community support was awesome”
Show 1 more
- Running USA: 2025 recapRaced 2025 · article · neutral
Recap of the 2025 edition naming the winners (2:18:59 men, 2:51:24 women) and the course reversal. Race-day detail is brief.
Raced FirstEnergy Akron Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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