Jim Chaney began competitive running while attending Copley High School and continued through his years at Ohio University. He established the school record at Copley in the 800 meter run in 1981, which record held for 22 years. After a 15 year layoff from running, Jim joined the Summit Athletic Club and returned to the running scene and gradually became a competitive Masters runner.
Jim returned to Copley High School in 2004 as an Assistant Coach, then eventually Head Coach, of the Cross Country program.
From the beginning, Jim was involved with the Akron Marathon as a volunteer including duties as Jeff Galloway Training Program Coordinator, Course Sector Chief, Woman’s National 8K Championship Co-Chairman. In 2010 he was hired as the Associate Race Director.
After leaving the Akron Marathon, Jim and his team established the Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon in 2013. He has served on the Board of Directors locally for the Summit Athletic Running Club and nationally with Running USA, one of the two governing bodies for long distance running in the United States.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon is a nationally recognized event, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2018, with the Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay ending on the field in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. There will also be a Draft Day 5K race, a Mini Marathon for Kids, and a large two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Fairgrounds. More than 10,000 athletes and 1,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the race weekend of events, April 27-29 in Canton.