Policy reminders on bandits & illegal bib transfers

We are thrilled to have hit capacity on all race distances for Saturday’s Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K.  We love that you love running with us, but attempting to do so without your own race bib is not acceptable.

 

To be clear here, anyone attempting to run the race without a bib or with someone else’s bib will be removed from the course and barred from future HMF Events.

 

There is simply no way to register or get in at this last-minute date. Legal bib transfers were allowed up until October 4, one week before race day. Nobody is allowed to use someone else’s race bib, no exceptions.

Illegal bib transfers

Illegally swapping bibs presents a significant safety issue – we don’t know who you are if you get hurt or there is an emergency.  Not knowing who you are adds another layer of complexity for the medical professionals trying to do their jobs and makes it impossible for us as a race organization to alert an emergency contact. Nobody goes into a race thinking they’ll be the person that needs medical support – however, anyone could be that person. 

Runner to runner, using someone else’s bib alters results. This can impact division awards and prevent legit race participants from getting the recognition they earned.

 

Bandits

There is no excuse or allowance for running without your own race bib on the courses during the permitted time of the road closures on October 11. It’s dangerous and creates safety concerns that can impact others who rightfully belong. Oh, and it’s stealing.

 

Everything a bandit uses is a stolen service from those who registered – volunteer support, water, portalets, timing, not taking a medal or getting a shirt doesn’t make it ok.  Bandits are stealing. Please don’t do it. Please discourage others from doing it.  If you don’t believe us, hear Runner’s World’s take on it from the May 2024 article, When You Bandit a Race, You Ruin it For Everyone.

  

Race planning takes many months and is done in conjunction with a plethora of security and medical professionals to ensure adequate support services based on set course capacities. Everyone who registered and paid the entry fee is entitled to the services provided and to enjoy the road closures and all amenities of the race.  Additionally, our permits allow only the number of people set by course limits to run, so bandits are also jeopardizing the race itself by not adhering to those permits.

Capacity updates have been shared for weeks on hartfordmarathon.com and regularly in our social posts, we have not been quiet about the status. Those who have not registered are responsible for repercussions of their own inaction!

Food & beverage options on race day in Hartford

 

We know there are many Eversource Hartford Marathon details to look forward to and plan around. The following is intended to help with some basics of what’s available for participants and spectators to eat and drink at and nearby Bushnell Park – a cup of coffee or snack for the support team can make or break race morning!

Athlete Food Tent – must be registered participant with bib to access

• Tortilla Soup (vegetarian) fresh made and hot from Flanders Fish Market

• Fresh baked LuAnn’s Bakery Oatmeal Bread (dairy and egg free)

• 
  Chocolate milk from Garelick Farms 

• Snacks, including Uncle Crumbles granola (gluten free), Lesser Evil popcorn, banana 

Beer Garden – One complimentary beverage for registered participants 21+ w/ID, also available for purchase (credit card only) 

• Urban Lodge Brewing Company Run Hartford Session Ale, Open Trail New England Pale Ale, Stop ‘n Go Session Sour Ale with Raspberry

• Vizzy Pineapple Mango Hard Seltzer

• Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic Run Wild IPA, Athletic Lite 

• Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ (for purchase from food truck)

In Bushnell Park (for purchase)

• Coffee, baked goods from Bloom Bake Shop

• Coffee, baked goods from LuAnn’s Bakery

• Jersey Mike’s Subs

• Coffee at Travelin’ Toms food truck on Elm St.

• PLUS – samples from Lesser Evil Snacks

Nearby

• Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, 25 Front Street 

• Bloom Bake Shop, 80 Pratt Street

• Red Rock Tavern, 369 Capitol Avenue 

• Urban Lodge Brewing, 88 Pratt Street

There are additional deals and extras offered across a number of local businesses to participants showing their bib between Thursday and Sunday.  Check back for updates: WEEKEND DEALS

The greater Hartford region has a lot to offer - Yelp and Google reviews are helpful to scout out something in particular.  We appreciate you supporting local businesses over race weekend that support race participants, volunteers and the community!

 

 

2025 Inspiration Team members announced for Eversource Hartford Marathon

Please join us in celebrating these incredible individuals and their journeys to the finish line on October 11!

2025 Inspiration Team to be Celebrated at the

 Eversource Hartford Marathon & Half Marathon in October

The Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) announced the honored participants chosen to represent the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon 2025 Inspiration Team, supported by The Hartford. Team members represent a variety of journeys that share incredible examples of the resilience, motivation, and kindness of the local running community. Each Inspiration Team member will either be running the 5K, half marathon or full marathon on race day, October 11, 2025.  

 

“There are countless stories each year that motivate us and remind us how meaningful each and every person’s journey to the finish line in Hartford is. We’re proud to continue the tradition of the Inspiration Team to try and represent a fraction of this great community and celebrate their stories,” said Josh Miller, President of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. “Our thanks for the continuing support of The Hartford and Eversource for making it possible to provide extra special treatment to a few deserving participants joining us on race day.” 

Members of the 2025 Inspiration Team, supported by The Hartford:

Lisa Bienia-Kenton, Sturbridge, MA - Marathon

Mary Daly, Wethersfield - Half Marathon

Jyl Esposito, North Haven - Half Marathon

Bill Hanchett, Plainville - Marathon

Courtney Luyando, Seymour - Marathon

Shan Riggs, Southbury - Marathon

Joshua & Cindy Saraceno, Middlefield - Marathon/Half Marathon

Zachary Spicer, Preston - Marathon

Marilyn Wenzel, New Haven - Charity 5K

Merissa Wright, West Hartford - Marathon

Members of the 2025 Inspiration Team will be profiled within the Eversource Hartford Marathon Insider’s Guide and receive complimentary race registration, the Pre Perks hospitality experience and custom event apparel and shoes provided by Altra Running. 

 

The inspiration team concept was developed by HMF in 2011.

 

Official Charity program exands at Eversource Hartford Marathon

We are excited to announce the expansion of Official Charities for the 2025 Eversource Hartford Marathon.  This October, 30 charity groups will be involved to raise awareness for local causes and add to the more than $9.5 million raised through the event.

Official Charity Program Grows to Thirty Partners for

2025 Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon

More than $9.5 million has been raised for community causes through the event

The Hartford Marathon Foundation is proud to welcome thirty Official Charity partners for the 2025 Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K on Saturday, October 11. The expansion of the program provides more local nonprofits with the opportunity to rally participants, supporters and volunteers to raise funds and awareness around Connecticut’s premier race event. Official Charities support community and philanthropic initiatives across the region, offering race participants a built-in platform to bring deeper meaning and greater positive impact to their race.

 

Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon 2025 Official Charities:

2-4-1 Sports

Achilles International-Connecticut
Alzheimer’s Association-Connecticut

Boame Helping Hands Foundation

Community Partners in Action

Connecticut Children’s Foundation

CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Dog Star Rescue

Donate Life Connecticut

DT Cares

Dylan’s Wings of Courage

For All Ages
Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut

Hartford Hospital

Hospital for Special Care

Jordan Porco Foundation

Megan Schulman Memorial Foundation

Midwest Food Bank New England

New Horizons Domestic Violence Services

Operation Fuel

Postpartum Support Intl, CT Chapter
Ron Foley Foundation
Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Inc.

Shine Your Light CT

Special Olympics Connecticut

SUN Scholars Inc.

The Riley Farm Rescue

The Salvation Army

Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer

Traveler on a Mission

 

“The growth of the Official Charity program signifies the importance of supporting community groups as well as the generosity of the local running community to bring more meaning to their participation,” said Josh Miller, President of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. “Rallying event participants, volunteers and companies to support local charitable efforts is at the heart of our work and we appreciate the generosity of Eversource and our partners who enable that effort.”

 

The event also provides a unique opportunity for local companies and organizations to gain visibility and employee/member engagement benefits while supporting community causes. Through the HMF Community Partner Program, opportunities are available for companies to engage in the event and direct a donation to an Official Charity of choice (for program details or to participate, contact deb@hartfordmarathon.com).

 

More than $9.5 million has been raised for charity through the event since its inception in 1994. With over $300,000 in charity funds raised last year, the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon also generated an economic boost of approximately $12 million for the region, hosting 10,000 race participants.

 

Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon registration is open and the 2025 HMF race calendar is available at www.hartfordmarathon.com.  To run, walk or volunteer on behalf of an Official Charity partner, find more information here.

 

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded in 1994, the Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) mission is to promote healthy living through fitness and physical activity for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, gender identities, orientations and experience levels, and to use HMF events to support charity, sustainability, tourism and economic growth in communities. Located in East Hartford, Connecticut, the Foundation organizes more than 30 annual races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon and the Susie Beris, MD, Youth Running Program. For more information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Rocky Neck meet-ups

If you’ve never experienced the roads and trails of Rocky Neck State Park, consider joining our friend, run coach and local resident-expert Chaz Koch for a meet-up run to check them out!

The coordinator for our charity partner, Operation Paws on the Ground, Chaz graciously offered to open his Saturday runs as informal group fun runs to give a glimpse of what to expect for the April 13th Rocky Neck Runfest.  Meet-ups start from the main office/starting line of the race.

Saturday, March 29, 8:30 AM - Trails*

Don’t expect a rail trail/multi-use paved path at Rocky Neck. The trails are well groomed but tactical, with rocks, roots, hills and likely some mud. They’re also quite beautiful, with stunning views over Long Island Sound, along the Four Mile River tidal area and the Bride Brook marsh. Chaz knows these trails well and will help familiarize you. Read up on the course ahead of time or send it to your Strava. TRAIL COURSE INFO 

Saturday, April 5, 8:30 AM - Roads*

The road course runs primarily along the main stretch and camper’s only roads with a short loop through a section of the campgrounds. The course features beautiful views of the Bride Brook marsh and finishes on the lawn overlooking Long Island Sound. ROAD COURSE

Note, these fun runs are free and open to the public - please consider a donation to support Operation Paws on the Ground in thanks to our friend and partner for taking the time to host!  DONATE

*not hosted/managed by the Hartford Marathon Foundation