First Akron Marathon? 10 Last-Minute Tips for Race Day
By Nilesh Shah, M.D., Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
Whether you're running your first marathon or taking on a leg of the Team Relay, the final days before race day can bring a mix of excitement and nerves. It can also be tempting to squeeze in one more hard work out or make a last-minute change to your routine.
Resist the urge. The work of your training is largely behind you. Now, your goal is to arrive at the starting line rested, prepared and confident.
The FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay is the marquee event of the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health. On Saturday, runners will start in downtown Akron and make their way through a variety of Akron neighborhoods before finishing at the Blue Line at Lock 3.
From pacing and fueling to hydration and listening to your body, these 10 last-minute tips can help you feel prepared and confident on race day.
1. Don’t Try to Make Up for Lost Training
If you missed a workout or long run, now is not the time to make up for it. Adding extra mileage or intensity in the final days can leave you fatigued or increase your risk of injury.
Instead, follow the taper plan you’ve already established. Keep your runs easy and prioritize rest. You won’t gain significant fitness in the final week, but you can certainly arrive at the starting line tired if you overdo it.
2. Stick With What You Know
Race week is not the time to experiment.
Wear the shoes, socks and clothing you’ve trained in. Eat familiar foods. Use the hydration and nutrition products you’ve already tested during your long runs.
Even small changes can cause problems when you're asking your body to perform at its best. Your goal is to eliminate as many unknowns as possible.
3. Practice Your Race-Day Routine
Think through your morning before race day arrives.
Know when you’ll wake up, what you’ll eat, how you’ll get downtown, where you’ll park and where you need to be for the start. The Akron Marathon starts at 7 a.m. in downtown Akron, so plan to arrive with enough time to navigate parking, restrooms and the starting area without rushing.
Lay out everything you’ll need the night before. That includes your race shoes, clothing, bib, nutrition, hydration supplies and anything else you plan to carry.
A calm morning can make a big difference in how you feel when the race begins.
4. Fuel the Race, Not Just the Training
Your fueling needs will depend on how far you're running. A marathoner needs a plan to sustain energy over 26.2 miles, while a relay runner may need less during the race but should still arrive properly fueled and hydrated.
Whatever your distance, race-day nutrition should be something you've practiced beforehand. If you’ve been using gels, chews or sports drinks, stick with those products and the timing that has worked for you.
5. Start at a Pace That Feels Sustainable
One of the most common mistakes first-time marathoners make is starting too fast.
Whether you're running 26.2 miles or one relay leg, the excitement of race morning can make it easy to start faster than planned. Marathoners should be especially cautious about conserving energy early, while relay runners should also give themselves time to settle into their pace.
The Akron Marathon course also starts with an uphill stretch, and the official course description specifically recommends watching your initial pace because that opening hill can increase your breathing rate. It's also worth knowing that the marathon's hardest climbs come late – a short but steep ascent on Sand Run Road in the nineteenth mile and "Heart Rate Hill" on Garman Road near mile 22. The energy you conserve early is energy you'll want there.
Keep your effort controlled early. You should feel like you’re holding something back.
Remember: If you're running the full marathon, you have 26.2 miles to race. You don’t need to race the first mile.
6. Pay Attention to Your Body
There’s a difference between the expected discomfort of strenuous exercise and pain that could signal an injury.
Fatigue, heavy legs and muscle soreness are expected as the miles add up. Sharp, worsening or localized pain is different. So is pain that changes your running form or makes it difficult to continue normally.
Don’t try to “push through” an injury just because you’ve trained for months. Your health is more important than finishing a particular race.
If you experience concerning symptoms such as chest pain, significant shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion or feeling faint, stop and seek medical attention.
7. Hydrate, But Don’t Overdo It
Arrive at the starting line well hydrated, yet avoid trying to drink excessive amounts of water right before or during the race.
Drink according to your thirst and your established race-day plan. On a cool morning, you may need less fluid than you would on a hot day. Pay attention to the weather and how your body feels.
If you have a medical condition or take medications that affect hydration or electrolyte balance, talk with your healthcare provider about an individualized plan before race day.
8. Let the Course Work for You
The Akron Marathon isn't a flat, straight shot from start to finish. The Akron Marathon course includes several significant climbs as it winds through Akron.
Don’t fight every hill. Shorten your stride, maintain a comfortable effort and allow your pace to slow naturally when needed. On downhills, resist the temptation to sprint. Your legs will thank you later.
9. Have a Plan, But Be Ready to Adjust It
You may have a goal time, a pace strategy or a race-day plan. That’s great. Just remember that the marathon gets the final vote.
Weather, hills, crowds, fatigue and how you feel that morning can all affect your performance.
If your body tells you to slow down, listen. If your goal pace becomes unrealistic, adjust it. Finishing your first marathon healthy and proud of what you accomplished is a victory in itself.
10. Remember Why You Started
At some point during the marathon, it will get hard. That’s normal.
When it does, think beyond the clock. Think about the months of training, the early mornings, the long runs and everyone who supported you along the way. If you're running the relay, remember that you're carrying more than your own miles – you're part of a team working toward the Blue Line together.
And look around.
The Akron Marathon is known for its hometown feel, course entertainment, local bands and community support, with enthusiastic spectators lining the course.
Let the crowd carry you when you need it. Take in the neighborhoods. High-five the volunteers. Smile when you can.
You only get one first marathon.
Finally, Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy It
Your first marathon isn't just about the miles. It's the culmination of months of work and a milestone you’ll remember for years.
You’ve already done the hardest part: training your body to get to the starting line.
Now trust your preparation. Start conservatively, fuel consistently, listen to your body and take the race one mile at a time.
We'll see you at the Blue Line.
If you have questions or concerns about your readiness to participate in a marathon, talk with your primary care physician or a sports medicine specialist. To schedule an appointment with a Summa Health sports medicine provider, call 877.865.3128 or visit summahealth.org/ortho.
About the author
Nilesh Shah, M.D.
Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
Nilesh Shah, M.D., is fellowship-trained and board-certified in primary care sports medicine. He completed his family medicine training at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, OH, where he served as a chief resident, as well as additional training through a primary care sports medicine fellowship at The Ohio State University. During his training, Dr. Shah served as a team physician for several high schools, The Ohio State University and Otterbein College. He is currently the director of the Summa Sports Medicine Fellowship program, the medical director for the Akron Marathon Race Series, and team physician for Kent Roosevelt High School and the Akron RubberDucks.
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