Kenmore Cowbell 7K

On Saturday, June 7, Akron Promise will host the fourth in its 15-race City Series, the Cowbell 7k, which highlights historic the newly constructed Summit Lake Trail as well as Akron’s Music Row, Kenmore Boulevard, where guitar shops and percussion are plentiful. 

The Cowbell 7k is unique not only in its distance but in its combination of natural and urban experiences. The race will kick off at 8 a.m. at the historic Rialto Theatre to the sound of guitars and cow bells. It will continue east on Kenmore Boulevard to the south end of Summit Lake, Akron's only glacial lake, where runners will connect to the Towpath via the Summit Lake Trail. A bridge will take them across the water past Summit Metro Parks’ Summit Lake Nature Center and Summit Lake Park. Runners will cross the Ohio & Erie Canal via a second bridge and head west, then south along the north side of the lake through a picturesque neighborhood. Runners will experience a slight uphill roll on Kenmore Boulevard which will level out, then head slightly downhill to finish to a bevy of Will Ferrell wannabes cheering them on with more cowbell than the Blue Oyster Cult can shake a drumstick at. 

The finishers’ medal will include a literal cowbell: complete with ringer and all. Runners who finish five of the Akron Promise City Series races will receive a specially designed medal by an Akron Artist. 

According to the race’s organizer, Nick Korora, a 1996 graduate of Kenmore High School, the origins of the cowbell theme are all local. Ellen Benn, known to Kenmore residents as “Grandma Benn,” was known as Kenmore High School’s biggest cheerleader. For over 60 years, she was a fixture at Kenmore High School sporting events, ringing her signature cowbell for the likes of the country’s longest-serving Mayor Don Plusquellic and former New York Jets players Dave and Don Buckey. 

Although Benn died in 2006, Korora sees the race as an opportunity to keep her spirit alive.

“Spectators are a huge part of this race, just as Grandma Benn was a huge part of our childhoods,” Korora explained. “We offer a variety of race packages, so whether you want to be an athlete, Grandma Benn or Will Ferrell for the day, there’s an opportunity for everyone to participate and have fun.”

Proceeds from the race will provide resources, mentorship and post-secondary scholarships to Akron Public School students in Kenmore and surrounding communities. 

Discounted registration is available until April 1, 2025.