HMF Frequent Miler 2016

We were happy so many of you cashed in on your HMF loyalty last year and got some fun freebies through the Frequent Miler Program.  For 2016, we want to keep the momentum going with cool swag and free races – but also provide VIP treatment for our Frequent Milers:

• Get in on the exclusive Barnum Financial Group Frequent Miler Village at the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon.  You must be registered for Eversource Hartford and sign up for the Frequent Miler 2016 program by August 31 to receive your invitation.  More details here!

Frequent Miler Program Sign-up:

Sign up for the 2016 Frequent Miler Program here and participate in a minimum of five HMF events in 2016 (check the calendar!) – you will earn one point for every mile you run with us!

Accumulated points can be used in the Frequent Miler Shop for special merchandise – everything from magnets and hats to technical shirts, jackets and race registrations.  The more HMF miles you run, the more points you earn.  We will tally your mileage through registration data in December 2016 after the Blue Back Mitten Run, points will be awarded for use in the Frequent Miler Shop in early 2017.

The Details:

• Participants must register for the Frequent Miler program by December 5, 2016 (participation in the 2015 program does NOT enroll you for 2016).
• You must be a registered participant in at least five HMF events in 2016 to earn points per mile.
• Promotional race entries (giveaways or comp entries provided through HMF or HMF partners) and contract race entries do not count toward event or points per mile credit.
• Race credits are only earned with minimum participation of five HMF events within 2016, points will not carry over.
• Triathlon and Duathlon running miles will also be tallied toward total mileage (bike and swim miles will not be included).
• Points are not transferable.
• Points can only be used within the Frequent Miler Shop within the designated time, to be determined and provided to all participants in advance.
• Please enter the same exact name and email to register for all events and to register for the program to ensure points are assigned correctly.

Run, eat, drink & party in green at the O'Hartford 5K

The O’Hartford 5K has become a downtown St Patrick’s Day tradition, now in its 12th year.  We’ve always got the festive spirit with costumes and green galore, ice cold beer and delicious food.  The one thing we just can’t seem to control is the weather!

After years braving the elements – with whipping winds that took out Port-a-Potties last year - we assessed how we could deliver a more comfortable post-race party for runners.  So, we’re bringing the party inside the XL Center, changing up the food – but still delivering refreshing Hooker beer (21+, don’t forget ID!).

Some highlights:

-With slight course modifications, we’ve got our start and finish line on Trumbull St near the XL Center entrance for easy access.

-Irish stout ice cream – yes, I’ll say it again…Irish stout ice cream, handmade exclusively for the O’Hartford party by Shady Glen in Manchester.

-Warm pretzels served with Irish stone-ground mustard.  Yum!

-Free iRewind personal race video with option to purchase a premium downloadable race video capturing your personal race experience from 6 cameras ($9.99 in advance).

-Use #OHartford on social media to have your photos shown on video screens throughout the post-race party.

-We’re keeping some of the favorites, like custom glass beer steins for division awards.  And, our overall winners will enjoy another homemade element, with roots ingrained in rich Irish heritage.  I’m digging out my grandmother’s almost-famous Irish soda bread recipe and baking it up just for the occasion.  

-In the spirit of food, please don’t forget to pack some non-perishable food for the HMF Can drive to benefit Foodshare.  It’ll make you feel good to give back!

-Need secure storage? The Mobile Locker Company offers  starting at $5 (reserve in advance at themobilelockerco.com or pay onsite).

Thank you for continuing to make this race such a fun annual tradition - we look forward to seeing you out there on the 20th!

HMF Can

We introduced the HMF Can initiative last year, asking you - runners, volunteers and spectators - to bring nonperishable foods to race events. You delivered. Thank you! With your help, we surpassed the goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of food, and are excited to up the ante to 12,000 pounds in 2016! Please see the release below to learn more about this most important race of all, the race against hunger.

            Hartford Marathon Foundation Aims to Donate 12,000 lbs of Food in 2016              Race organization facilitates food, clothing and supply donations across CT

The nonprofit Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) is asking runners to help collect 12,000 pounds of non-perishable foods at HMF race events this year. Introduced in 2015, the “HMF Can” initiative encourages runners to bring donations on race day to be provided to food banks within the communities that race events are held.

More than 10,000 pounds of food was donated in 2015 through HMF Can donations. Last year, 900 pounds was gathered at the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half Marathon to benefit the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, reportedly their biggest ever one-time donation.  HMF is hoping to beat that record at the April 3, 2016, Middletown event.

The 2016 HMF Can drive will be kicked off on Friday, February 26 from 3:00-6:00 pm, and Saturday, February 27 from 9:00 am-noon during the HMF Apparel Warehouse Sale at 41 Sequin Drive in Glastonbury.  Everyone that brings 3+ pounds of non-perishable food to donate will receive a free HMF race shirt (while supplies last).

“Runners appreciate when communities open up their roads for races and HMF Can provides a simple way to give back, just by adding a few cans and boxes of food to their race day rituals,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director and CEO of Hartford Marathon Foundation.  “We’re committed to producing races that show off the best of these communities; it’s important to us that the only thing we’ll leave behind after an event is a positive impact.”

In addition to hosting HMF Can drives, HMF also donates food leftover from race events to local groups.  The Eversource Hartford Marathon, HMF’s largest event with approximately 14,000 participants in 2015, produced a total donation of 4,129 pounds, from apples and bagels to loaves of bread and bananas.  Recipients included Open Hearth, South Park Inn and Food Share.

The Foundation is committed to sustainability efforts and proactively seeks opportunities to donate, reuse or repurpose as part of post-event operations.  Approximately 460 pounds in compost materials and 6,360 pounds of recycling were produced at the Eversource Hartford Marathon.  Clothing donations from the event totaled 1,700 pounds.  Donate Life CT supported the effort, with volunteers stuffing 35 bags of discarded sweatshirts, hats, gloves and other layers shed by race participants along the race course.  Donations went to local shelters and charities.  Another 440 pounds of clothing was donated from the HMF Warehouse to Goodwill to be distributed to 14 store locations across Connecticut.

For more information on the HMF Can initiative or to register for 2016 events, please visit www.hartfordmarathon.com. 

Team HMF 2016

The off-season isn’t a quiet place in our office.   We’re working through lots of details … introducing new races and series, researching course tweaks, updating swag offerings, pouring over feedback from runners and race notes.  We like to think this fine-tuning and extra effort makes the difference in why you race with us time and again.

One of the programs that we’re currently updating is Team HMF, and we’ve had a number of inquiries about applications.  While you will see some new faces on Team HMF in 2016, we are not putting out an open call for applications this year. 

Instead, we’re focusing on how the team will support the local running community more.  We’re adding some new elements for the Team to help runners on race-day, whether it’s guiding warm-up runs or helping you prepare for course challenges and getting your mental game race-ready.    The Team will be present as we offer more free clinics and training opportunities to help you all interact and learn from each other’s experiences.

We’d like to hear your ideas as well – how can we, and the Team, go the extra mile for you?  Please share thoughts in comments below or send us a message via Facebook or Twitter to connect directly.

Those of you interested in being part of Team HMF in the future, rest assured we do plan to open up the field to new athletes in 2017.  We will be creating a more thorough and interactive application process to mirror the way the Team members engage in the running community.  Look for details at the end of this year’s season.

Frequent Miler Program - Rewards Time!

We have great participation in the new HMF Frequent Miler program for 2015, thank you!!  This is a new system, so please be patient as we help answer your questions and work through any minor kinks.

A few reminders for our participants.  All communication was sent to the email your registered for the program with, please make sure your receive our emails to that address.  Only run event miles are included in the points total you were emailed on Friday.  Triathlon points are based on the run portion only.  Miles earned through comped race entries are NOT included (log in to your Chronotrack profile to review your event registrations). 

Visit the Frequent Miler Shop link provided in your email to review and choose your own rewards based on your points earned.   You must fill out and submit the order form by February 6th.   These are all custom orders and will be placed together at that time.   Please expect 4-6 weeks for all orders to be fulfilled; details on shipping and free reward pick-up options outlined below.

DETAILS:
You must use all points within one transaction/order.  Earned points for miles DO NOT carry over to 2016.

You may only redeem rewards based on total points earned, there are no cash transactions allowed.

Only Frequent Miler members who previously signed up for the program and paid registration fees to race at least 5 events in 2015 are eligible to participate.

REWARD MERCHANDISE PICK-UP:
You may pick up reward merchandise at HMF offices in Glastonbury upon notification of order arrivals.

You may designate friends/family to pick-up merchandise for you at HMF offices in Glastonbury.  They will need to sign-off on the pick-up.

You can choose to ship your merchandise for a flat $5 shipping/handling fee (to be billed upon shipping).

Race registration rewards are only valid toward NEW race registrations, refunds will not be issued from registrations already finalized.  Race registration reward codes will be emailed the week of February 8, 2016 and must be used in 2016

2016 Frequent Miler Program
Missed out this year or want to join again in 2016?? There will be a separate program and sign-up for 2016 with information announced before the start of race season.  Please stay tuned for details!

Thank you for a great 2015!

We were proud to hit many great milestones in 2015, including hosting more than 43,000 of you at 30 race events!!  As we reflect on the year and prepare for a busy 2016 race season, we have much to thank you for.

Your commitment to step up for charity and community was once again much appreciated. For the inaugural HMF Can initiative, runners helped raise more than 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food to donate to local communities we race in.  Of note, more than 900 pounds was donated to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry through the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half Marathon in April - reportedly their biggest ever one-time donation.  A 2016 goal has been set to collect 12,000 pounds, with your continued support.

By the numbers, Hartford Marathon Foundation highlights include

• 43,097 motivated participants in 5K, 3.3 mile, 10K, 15K, half marathon, marathon and relay distances, as well as duathlon and triathlon events
• 4,894 dedicated volunteers including groups 
• 10,000 pounds of food donated through HMF Can
• 42 charities supported by events (not including runners’ individual affiliations to charity)
• 4,177 children participating in HMF FitKids program

But you’ve said it best through the year! In your words, hear a little more about what it meant to race HMF Events.  It’ll give you great motivation and us many reasons to keep trying to do more and better in 2016!

For more information on 2016 events or to register, please visit www.hartfordmarathon.com and be sure to follow on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter at @runHMF and Instagram at HMF_Events. 

Happy New Year to all!!

This (O’Niantic 5K) was the best 5K I have run, despite the snow. Very well run and so much fun. I plan to run it next year as well!    -Crystal Huntoon

Yesterday I ran the inaugural Mystic Half Marathon. Just wanted you to know that everyone I came in contact with was friendly, helpful. The packet pickup was easy with no hassles. You have it all together with respect to organization, people moving, activities, etc.     -Kathy Mason, Salem, CT

This (CTfastrak 15K) race was phenomenal! The route was great, the event was well organized, the concept was creative. All in all, a great day. Thank you for consistently delivering events that are well-executed and entertaining...You certainly have a well-oiled machine.     -Michelle Kurnik

This was my first time running in the Red Dress Run in Elizabeth Park! Everything was perfect, the weather, the course, the volunteers and staff, and the signage...Special thanks for the tee shirt, and I especially love the necklace; I think it is a great giveaway idea!  Thank you for all.     -Barbara Kreitner

Can't say enough about what a great job everyone did in organizing this event (Eversource Hartford Marathon & Half Marathon). From registration to parking, bag drop and recovery, course management and security --- it was first rate.     -Ted Ruddock

My first 5K (Norwich WinterFest), loved the course, volunteers were great, fantastic organization, great atmosphere, totally loved everything, God willing I will be back next year.     -Barbara Batwala-Dune

Enhanced training programs with Fleet Feet

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Fleet Feet West Hartford as the exclusive run training partner for HMF Events in central Connecticut.  With new and expanded group training programs leading up to key events and series, we’ll support you to achieve your goal – and celebrate you at the finish line!

Custom Training for Halfs

Keep motivated through the winter with the 12-14 week half marathon training program that starts January 2 or January 16 and gets you to the finish line of the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half on April 3. 

Based on the principles of the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project, this coaching program is customized to your personal fitness level factoring your training goals.  The program incorporates the VDOT Running Calculator and interactive online calendar and running logs that you and your coaches track to keep you accountable and motivated.

5K Training 

With 5K group training programs starting January 9th and 10th to prepare for the March O’race Trinity Series events, Fleet Feet will be offering three different levels of training to suit every age and ability level. The 11-week training programs provide experienced coaches, camaraderie in a supportive group setting and training guides for each participant.  

The No Boundaries 5K - Intermediate level is great for those who have competed in 5Ks and are looking to run longer intervals during training or challenge themselves with new race goals.  

Be sure to encourage your non-running friends to consider a Walkfit or beginner No Boundaries 5K group to join you at the Courthouse O’Putnam, O’Niantic or O’Hartford in March.

Check back for more programs, or please feel free to connect directly via the Training Program Inquiry link if you are seeking a specific training program that you don’t find available.