On July 30, dedicated Spuds from around the country will be invading the streets of Akron as part of the first-ever 5KDEVO Race.
The race is the official “encore event” of the annual DEVOtional celebration that has taken place in Northeast Ohio for several years. This year’s DEVOtional happens July 28-29 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland.
At every quarter-mile of the 3.1-mile race there will be a banner with a Devo visual and fact. The banners are designed to “collectively take the runner through the history of the band along with music that reflects that point in time.” Proceeds from the race will go to a charity chosen by the band.
Each participant will also receive a Devo tech T-shirt and 3-D glasses.
Plus, according to DEVOtional co-organizer Michael Pilmer, two Devo band members will welcome the early finishers. All racers will get a “highly devolved 5KDEVO finisher medal,” and other Devo-themed awards and prizes will be handed out to overall and specific age group participants.
Registration is $38 for the adult run/walk, $22.50 for the kids’ version. There’s even a “Something for Everybody” virtual 5K for $43 — you get the shirt, glasses and finisher medal, walk or run around your own town on the event day, and tag #5KDEVO on social media.
Interested racers can register at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Akron/5KDEVO.
So far more than 80 Spuds have registered, some from as close as Akron and Cuyahoga Falls and others traveling from places like Brooklyn, N.Y., Florida and Minnesota. Go to www.clubdevo.com for more information about the 5KDEVO and the DEVOtional 2017.
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758. Like him on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1lNgxml and/or follow him on Twitter @malcolmabramABJ .