Welcoming military families on race day

We are honored to have so many active duty members of the military, Reserve, National Guard, veterans and their families join us on race day at the Eversource Hartford Marathon. Thanks to the continued support of Bank of America, we are again opening up the Freedom Point military hospitality venue in Bushnell Park to offer seating areas, refreshments, private port-o-lets and personal service as a way to honor our past and present military members and their families on October 12.

Bank of America has a deep commitment to the men and women who serve our country. They have an active Military Support and Assistance Group (MSAG) with over 100 chapters across the United States. The Connecticut chapter has 165 members, and many of them will rally together on race day to run, walk or volunteer. Meet one of their employees, Pavel Aragon, and hear his inspiring story for running his first half marathon in Hartford. 

Pavel Aragon, Air Force Veteran

Pavel served in the United States Air Force from 2010 – 2014. His service included law enforcement and security around the bases where he was stationed, including in San Antonio, in Missouri and in South Korea. Now that he’s back home in Connecticut, he continues his commitment to community service by taking on volunteer opportunities through Bank of America.

Pavel will take on his first half marathon in Hartford after being introduced to the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon while volunteering with Bank of America colleagues. He was encouraged by the support that Bank of America offers veterans and active duty participants in the race through the Freedom Point military hospitality venue and set his goal to complete the half.

Pavel has never before run 13.1 miles. He says, “I wanted to challenge myself. We run all the time in the military but this is definitely something you have to train for.”

He runs shorter distances throughout the week and designates every Saturday to take on one extra mile: “It’s not all butterflies and rainbows, but it’s easier on the body to gradually increase how much I run.”

“Being part of this group makes race day more meaningful to me. It’s an experience that connects the employees at Bank of America and our veteran community.”

Please join us in wishing Pavel a great race! For more information on Freedom Point, presented by Bank of America, visit our site.

Eversource Hartford Marathon menu & post-race nutrition tips

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback about post-race menu options for this year’s Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon on October 12. We’ve been working on a race day menu with nutritional value that satisfies varying tastes and dietary restrictions within all of the limitations to cook, hold and serve in Bushnell Park.

Your responses have been heard - Autumn Harvest Rice Bowls will be the warm entree, packed with seasonal veggies and edamame. Flander’s Bake Shop apple cider donuts were the clear winner of sweet treat options and PopCorners snack food will satisfy the salty craving. We will also provide bananas, gluten-free Bakery on Main granola, Dole fruit bowls, bagels with peanut butter or cream cheese and Mountain Dairy chocolate milk.

In the hours and days following your race, it’s important to continue to keep your nutrition in mind. Dan Torres, nutrition consultant for the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at Saint Francis Hospital, shares 3 tips to keep in mind during race recovery to restore muscle fuel stores, replace fluid & electrolyte losses and promote muscle repair.

1) Because your appetite might be reduced after the race, liquid meals may prove to be the best option. Consume a mix of protein and carbohydrate preferably within 1hr after the race. A 4 to 1 ratio seems to work best for the initial recovery meal or snack (example: 80 grams of carbohydrate with 20 grams of protein).

2) To restore hydration status after the run, it’s necessary to ingest 24 fl oz of fluid per pound of body weight lost. Consuming plain water might not be the optimal way to rehydrate after a long race, try an electrolyte powder to help you better retain some of the fluid.

3) Spreading your intake of protein throughout the next meals (1-3 days after the race) will help to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. Aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day for the 3 days after the race.

Dan Torres LDN, CSCS is a nutrition consultant for the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at Saint Francis Hospital. Dan specializes in sports nutrition, weight management and fitness training, he can be contacted at torrezi@comcast.net.

Raise funds while you run in Hartford!

Fundraising for other non-profit organizations has been a cornerstone of the annual Eversource Hartford Marathon since its inception in 1994. We developed the Official Charity program to foster this charitable giving and represent the generous spirit of race day.

The 2019 Official Charity program at the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon encourages participants to run, walk or volunteer for a cause to make this special day even more meaningful. The Crowdrise fundraising platform allows Official Charities and other non-profit organizations to accept donations and rally their own team to track their progress. 

Please check out the variety of worthwhile causes and organizations involved in the Official Charity program through the link below. Consider joining their team as a runner, fundraiser or volunteer:

2019 Official Charities

$500 for your fundraising efforts 

In 2017, we created the “David Polk Perpetual Award” to give everyone who fundraises the opportunity to earn an additional $500 toward their charity. 

A founding board member of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, David Polk dedicated 23 years of leadership, stewardship and generosity. In his honor, the "Perpetual Award" will award the individual who raises the most pledges for charity with another $500 donation from HMF to their charity. Note this is open to everyone participating on behalf of a certified non-profit charity organization, it is not limited to Official Charities. The winner will be recognized publicly at the Finish Line ceremony of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and have their name inscribed on the perpetual trophy. 

For consideration of this award, individuals MUST submit their information through THIS FORM by noon on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. The top fundraiser will be contacted by email on October 10 to coordinate the finish line presentation on race day. 

Please contact registration@hartfordmarathon.com with questions prior to October 9. 

2019 Official Charities

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation 

Hospital for Special Care 

Achilles International-Connecticut Chapter 

Connecticut Children's Medical Center 

empowerHER

Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Healing Meals Community Project
A Foundation Building Strength

Abby’s Helping Hand
American Cancer Society

American Red Cross
Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters
Connecticut Education Foundation
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Donate Life Connecticut
Girls on the Run Greater Hartford
Independence Unlimited
Jordan Porco Foundation
Journey Home
Mental Health Connecticut
Oak Hill
Ron Foley Foundation, Inc.
Susan G. Komen New England
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut