June 11: Pierogi Dash
Polka music from Ralph E. Szubski, aka the Accordion Man, kicks off this 5K through Slavic Village. Racers are rewarded at the finish line with Ethnic Gourmet pierogies, R&K Sausage smokies and local beer. “The Pierogi Dash celebrates some of the Eastern European culture that established the city,” says Andrew Kinney, marketing manager for Slavic Village Development. 7100 Aetna Road, Cleveland, theruniversity.com
July 8: The Great Inflatable Race
The kid in you will love this 2.5-mile obstacle course with 14 inflatables up to 100 feet long and three stories high for a race through Victory Park. “Bouncy houses are cool, but [adults] can’t get in there,” says race founder Phillip Wright. “The Great Inflatable Race gives adults a chance to act silly on inflatables that are made for them.” 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville, thegreatinflatablerace.com
July 30: 5KDEVO
Parlay the Devotional, a Devo fan convention at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern July 28 and 29, into this July 30 3-mile course through downtown Akron that follows the band’s journey from Kent State University art-punk band to new-wave legends. “Every quarter-mile there will be a banner with a factoid about the band, and each station will have music playing from that time,” says race director Jim Chaney. 200 S. Main St., Akron, clubdevo.com
