There likely will be nearly 6,000 runners participating in the 4th annual Road Runner Akron Marathon & Chase Team Relays on Sat., Sept. 30, at 7:30am, but those breaking the tape at the finish line may be a little more familiar than in years past.

In an effort to continue growing the Road Runner Akron Marathon as a favorite, community-centered event, marathon organizers decided to attract the top amateur runners this year rather than the professional athletes.

Creating an Invited Runners program this year is one way the Road Runner Akron Marathon is extending its hospitalities to more local participants.

"We know that there is a caliber of runner out there who isn't quite fast enough to be a professional, but that consistently runs very respectable times while still maintaining the everyday life of a non-professional athlete," Race Director Jim Barnett said. "Our goal was to reach out to a number of those runners in the surrounding states and personally invite them to participate in the Road Runner Akron Marathon."

"We've been known to treat every runner like a world-class athlete and through the Invited Runners program, we are able to bring in a number of talented male and female runners who may not win a Chicago or New York Marathon, but that can run marathons at a remarkable pace," Barnett said. "It's our way of giving something special to the more local runners who don't often receive much attention."

One such runner is Chuck Engle, a Cloverleaf High School graduate and three-time All-American at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. Engle decided that in 2006, he would run one competitive marathon per week, totaling at least 50 for the year. He is nearly two-thirds of the way through his grueling schedule and has already won a number of races that he has participated in this year.

"Rather than offering high prize money to the winners, which brings numerous elite athletes to the race, we decided to take those funds and team up with Etonic to offer a free pair of running shoes to all marathon finishers this year," said Steve Marks, Road Runner Akron Marathon founder. "We wanted to make the race so appealing that no local runner could decide not to participate in our marathon."

"With the Invited Runners program in place and the great incentives for local athletes to participate on the 30th, it is a possibility that the winner of the men's and women's marathon, who will both collect $2000, could very well be a local runner," said Marks. "We're just happy that we can continue giving back to the community that continues to graciously support us in so many ways."

For more details about the Road Runner Akron Marathon or to register for the marathon or relays, visit AkronMarathon.org or call (330) 375-2RUN.