Andrea Klima won the women’s Akron Marathon

Andrea Klima of Independence, Ohio, captured a stunning victory at the women’s FirstEnergy Akron Marathon on September 26, 2026, leading an elite field through the historic neighborhoods and challenging hills of Akron. Klima’s exceptional performance highlighted a spectacular weekend of distance running, drawing thousands of passionate supporters to downtown Akron.

The article below captures the full story of the women’s podium battles, tactical triumphs, and the grit displayed across the 26.2-mile course.

The air was crisp and the conditions near-perfect on the morning of September 26, 2026, as the 24th annual FirstEnergy Akron Marathon got underway. While the weekend featured high-stakes team relays and a fiercely contested half-marathon, the ultimate test of endurance belonged to the women’s full marathon field. From the iconic starting grounds near Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens to the roaring crowds waiting in downtown Akron, the elite women put on a masterclass in pacing, strategy, and sheer determination.

The undisputed headline of the day belonged to 25-year-old Andrea Klima of Independence, Ohio. Throwing her hands in the air to a chorus of deafening cheers, Klima crossed the finish line in a spectacular official time of 2:42:08 (with an unofficial clocking of 2:42:06) to secure a decisive victory. Klima’s win was far more than an isolated triumph; it marked the historic culmination of a perfect season. By conquering the full marathon, she completed an unprecedented sweep of the 2026 Akron Marathon Race Series, having already claimed first place at both the Acme Fresh Market Foundation 8K in June and the sold-out Goodyear Half Marathon in August.

From the sound of the starter’s gun, Klima ran with immense poise. She navigated the rolling topography of the city with a remarkably smooth and efficient stride, separating herself early on from the chase pack. Running largely uncontested against the clock for the final miles, she never faltered. Minutes after catching her breath, Klima turned back toward the course to wait for her fiancé, Justin Zapotoczny, who completed his own marathon shortly after, making their first-ever trip to the Akron Marathon an unforgettable family celebration.

Finishing in the runner-up position was the veteran marathoner Jacqui Giuliano of Crystal Lake, Illinois, who crossed the line with a strong time of 2:53:50. Giuliano, competing in the masters category, delivered a masterclass in athletic grit. She opened the race aggressively, banking valuable time on the quicker, early segments of the course. However, by the 12th mile, Giuliano found herself in a challenging tactical scenario—running completely solo without a pack to shield her from the elements or pull her along.

The second half of the Akron course is notorious for its unforgiving, late-stage incline changes. Giuliano later noted that she had vastly underestimated the difficulty of the hills in the latter part of the race. Compounding the physical toll was a persistent hamstring issue that forced her to stay conservative to prevent a flare-up. Relying heavily on her extensive racing experience, she successfully managed her effort, securing the top Masters title and finishing a mere 28 seconds shy of her pre-children personal record set back in 2011.

Behind the frontrunners, a highly competitive battle unfolded for the remaining spots at the top of the leaderboard. Macey Chik of Doylestown, Ohio, locked down the final step on the absolute podium, finishing third overall among the women with a time of 3:00:19. Chik executed a beautifully balanced race plan, maintaining a steady clip through the difficult mid-race miles to hold off a charging field.

Chik was pushed to her limit by Emma McCarron of Mansfield, Ohio, who crossed the line just a razor-thin 13 seconds later. McCarron—who had won the Goodyear Half Marathon just a month prior—took fourth place in 3:00:32 after an admirable late-race surge that kept spectators at the finish line on the edges of their seats. Rounding out the top group was fifth-place finisher Janel Zick, who crossed the timing mats in 3:03:02 to complete a deeply inspiring showcase of regional distance running talent.

The 2026 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon reaffirmed its standing as one of the marquee sporting events in Northeast Ohio. Beyond the phenomenal times logged by the top five women, the race was a celebration of community spirit. Neighborhood block parties, live music, and thousands of tireless volunteers transformed the 26.2-mile course into an energetic festival of human achievement. For the newly crowned champion Andrea Klima, the day was a historic, series-sweeping milestone; for the hundreds of women who followed her across the finish line, it was an empowering testament to endurance.