This year comes with a different exciting element - the transition of leadership to Josh Miller, who will take over as president of the Hartford Marathon Foundation on January 1. Currently serving as vice president, Josh has a long history with HMF. Having volunteered with his dad at the marathon since his early years, Josh then served on the race operations team during events and eventually as an intern in college. He started working in a full time role more than a decade ago and hasn't looked back since - you're certain to know his familiar face from events through the years!
You'll be hearing from him over the next few months as we communicate detailed plans on each of the 2023 events. In the meantime, expect a focus on the race traditions you know and love, with the return of signature races, including:
Mystic Half Marathon & 10K - May 21
UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K & 5K - June 3
Surftown Half Marathon, 5K & Relay, presented by Westerly Hospital - September 10
Our flagship event will be celebrating its 30th running this year, the Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K on October 14.
In an effort to ramp back up to full speed for enthusiastic participants and inspire those who may have lost their running bug, we're excited to bring more options in challenges and series:
Lucky Challenge - O'fficially kick off the 2023 season with four festive St. Paddy's themed 5K races to run or walk in March. Participants in all 4 (in-person or virtual combos) earn the blingy O'race medal and the luck of the Irish, with cheers from HMF at every race finish line. Slainte!
Bunch of 10Ks - Ramp up spring racing with a three-race 10K challenge in April, May and June. The bunch theme makes a change from bananas to grapes in 2023 - a healthy nod to running a bunch of great races and proudly donning a special medal after the third.
Crabby Challenge - Choose any distance in each of three beautiful shoreline races in May, July and September. These scenic courses all feature picturesque water views to fuel you through your race, with a fun medal awaiting after the third finish.
Connecticut Double - The ultimate state challenge...work up from half marathon in June to full marathon distance at the Eversource Hartford Marathon. Get support and encouragement through the journey and then celebrate after your iconic finish line moment under the Arch in Hartford with an extra special medal.
Happy Trails Challenge - Go off-road in this two-race summer adventure. Enjoy your race off the beaten path in Hebron (any distance offered) and then along the river in Hartford and earn a custom shirt for participating in the June and July trail runs.
Progressive Challenge - Start at the 5K in June to kick off the three-race feat, with a 10K in August to take on as the second race. Get weekly plans and training support to work up to the Eversource Hartford Half Marathon in October and enjoy an amazing finish line moment under the arch, with a special challenge medal to celebrate the accomplishment in Bushnell Park post-race.
You'll likely notice the omission of a couple events from this preliminary schedule. We won't be starting the year with the Resolution Run, we hope to keep you motivated to move in January through the Jack Frost Challenge.
At this time, the RiMaConn Relay remains a question for 2023, though registration historically doesn't open until April. A number of factors are involved in determining if the 3-state relay is viable in the coming year. As we weigh those factors and look to create new epic adventures to rally participants, we'll be certain to keep you updated. We will continue to assess what the community is looking for and how we can best honor traditions of Hartford Marathon Foundation events while bringing new opportunities to motivate.
We so appreciate all of your incredibly kind words and show of support for Beth Shluger, founder of HMF in 1994 and our fearless leader for nearly 30 years. We all wish her well as she enjoys her retirement after such dedicated years of service to our community.
Registration will be opening next week for many 2023 events. Secure your spot early for the best pricing deal and look for more information through race web site pages next week!
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