On Dec. 17, 2016, more than 1,300 individuals and families celebrated the meaning of the holiday season at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for the fourth annual Selfless Elf 5K, part of the Ohio Challenge Series.
The freezing rain didn’t deter race participants who ran and walked the 3.1-mile course beginning and ending at the Foodbank. More than $60,000 was raised, the equivalent of more than 240,000 meals, that will be distributed by the Foodbank’s hunger-relief partners in the Foodbank’s eight county service area.
“If you weren’t in the holiday spirit before coming today, I hope you are now,” said Dan Flowers, President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “Because of the thousands of people that ran with us this morning, families will have nourishing holiday meals to share. Thank you to all our Selfless Elves, who came together and reminded us why it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
Upon registration, participants were given stripped elf socks, and they wore them proudly running the streets of downtown Akron. Santa’s favorite milk and cookies were available for runners along with pictures with Santa.
Special thank you to the event sponsors: Shearer’s Foods, Summa Health, Steere Enterprises Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLC, Jesse Hurst CFP, Millennial Group Wealth Advisors, Wayne Homes, American Medical Response, Buckeye Health Plan, City of Akron, Planet Fitness Stow, R.B. Stout, Inc., Sully’s Party & Tool Rental and Vertical Runner.