Triple Half Challenge 2016

Back by popular demand - the HMF Triple Half Challenge of 2016! We heard great feedback from this year’s inaugural program and want to give you the opportunity to best your 2015 time or join your first challenge. 

Finish these three designated HMF half marathons to earn a newly designed Triple Half Challenge jacket and new commemorative finisher medal:  

• Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half Marathon - April 3rd
• Mystic Half Marathon - May 15^th
• Eversource Hartford Half Marathon - October 8th

Registration Requirements - register here

You must register for the Triple Half Challenge program to participate (do NOT register for events in the program individually).  Simply click the option for Triple Half Challenge registration within any one of the participating events and you will be registered for the program and all three events simultaneously.   
Please note, you must register for the Triple Half before the first event on April 3 or before any of the participating events reach capacity, whichever occurs first. 

Details
The only event substitution allowed is the replacement of the Eversource Hartford Half Marathon with the Eversource Hartford Marathon.  If interested in this substitution, please select it from within registration options at the time of Triple Half Challenge program registration.

You may not combine promotional programs with overlap events – for example, you must choose between participating in the Pro Series: 5K to Half OR the Triple Half Challenge promotion.

Your Triple Half finisher medal and official jacket will be waiting for you at the post-race party of the Eversource Hartford Marathon on October 8^th.

NEW Spring Ahead series features inaugural Collinsville Classic 10K

The new “Spring Ahead: 5K to 10K” 3-race series will jumpstart your spring race season with two popular events and culminate in a brand new point-to-point 10K running Farmington to Collinsville.  The progression from the 3.1 mile O’Hartford 5K on March 20, to the Legends 4-Mile in Middletown on April 3 and ending with the 6.2 mile Collinsville Classic 10K on May 1 provides an achievable and fun goal.  

Whether you’re a relative running newbie, you want to motivate yourself this winter with a new training goal or you're someone who has fallen off the race circuit for a while (as I like to lovingly call, a “USTA”),  this series will give you reason to run - great courses and new bling, a commemorative Spring Ahead medal.  And, our free training guide will motivate you to race beyond 5K or help ramp up your training for later spring, longer distance race events. 

Registration Requirements

You must register for the package to be eligible to receive the commemorative medal and free training guide – do NOT register for events individually.  Note, if you choose to participate in the O’race Trinity Series and the new Spring Ahead: 5K to 10K series, you may do so only by following these directions: Register for the Spring Ahead: 5K to 10K series, register for the Courthouse O’Putnam 5K and the O’Niantic 5K as individual events.

NEW Collinsville Classic 10K

This is going to be a real beauty, 6.2 miles along the scenic riverside from Farmington to Collinsville.  Course details are still being finalized but we will be limited to the first 800 runners and expect to sell it out.

The multiuse trail along the Farmington River will be utilized, providing a flat, shaded course filled with scenic views.  The finish in downtown Collinsville will feature a great post-race party hosted by the Collinsville Downtown Merchants. 

A custom water bottle will be included in your entry fee as race swag.  Short sleeve cotton or tech shirt is available for purchase as well.

2016 Race Series & Promos - the details

We're excited to share the schedule of 2016 race series and promotions!  Registration will open for these packages on Friday, December 11.  General registration for events will open on Friday, December 18.  In the meantime, the site will be down while registration details are loaded in order to open on those dates.

Thanks for running with us - cheers to a great 2016!

O’race Trinity Series - register here
Get your Irish on! Register and complete the three O’races to earn event medals that link together forming the Irish flag - with a special Gaelic message! The Courthouse O’Putnam 5K (March 13), O’Niantic 5K (March 19) and O’Hartford 5K (March 20) are festive St. Patrick’s Day themed races – costumes encouraged!

Spring Ahead: 5K to 10K (3 races) - register here
Motivate yourself to race more miles this spring! Run the O’Hartford 5K (March 20), Legends 4 Mile (April 3) and the NEW Collinsville Classic 10K (Farmington to Collinsville on May 1).  Register for the series to earn a commemorative finisher medal and get a free training guide. Optional group training is also available.

HMF Triple Half Challenge - register here
Are you up for the challenge? Run the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half Marathon (April 3), Mystic Half Marathon (May 15) and Eversource Hartford Half Marathon (October 8). Earn a newly designed finisher’s medal and exclusive HMF Triple Half Challenge jacket – note, you MUST register for the Challenge to qualify (do not register for each race individually).

2016 Grand Slam Scramble Series, presented by StanleyBlack&Decker - register here
Enjoy the festive, themed Thursday evening summer 5K series with a brand new design on the big bling!  You must register for the series (not individually for each race) to earn the bling.  June 23 is a sports teams theme, July 21 is Olympics and August 25 is Super Heroes - beer, burritos and a blast of a run!

New England Double - register here

Earn this impressive distinction by completing the People’s United Bank Vermont City Marathon on May 29 and the Eversource Hartford Marathon on October 8. Those who register for the Double and finish all 52.4 miles will receive a special medal (in addition to earning event finisher medals) and a commemorative NE Double jacket.

PRO Series: 5K to Half  (3 races) - register here
We will help you accomplish your half marathon goal – whether it’s your first or fifteenth!!  Run a July 5K (either the Red Dress Run for Women on July 9 or Rentschler Airfield 5K on July 14), and the Old Wethersfield 10K (August 28) and the Eversource Hartford Half Marathon (October 8).  Register for the series (NOT the races individually) to earn a commemorative finisher medal and get a free training guide. Optional group training also available.  

Please help us reach the goal!

It’s the final race of the season this Sunday and we have one more big job to do – but we need your help!  Our goal for the HMF Can drive of 2015 is to donate 10,000 pounds of food to communities across the state.  We are 1,600 pounds short of reaching that goal (and we really don’t like falling short on goals!).

 

So – we did some simple math.  We have about 2,200 people running with us at the Blue Back Mitten Run, presented by UnitedHealthcare.  If half of the runners on Sunday bring just 2 cans each, we will meet the goal! 

Can you spare 3 cans of tuna?

How about a couple boxes of pasta and jar of sauce?

It doesn’t take much for us to make a difference if we all pitch in – pretty please!?!  Help us help the people living in communities that we run in.  Bring non-perishable foods to drop off at the HMF Can trailer.

As is our annual Mitten Run tradition, we will also be collecting new mittens, hats and scarves for the  Town That Cares Fund.

Athlete food and post-race party

We take lots of time and effort to plan post-race menus that appeal to our runners' various taste preferences and food sensitivities.  With food, there's no pleasing everyone all the time, but we have a lot to offer to help satisfy your refueling needs tomorrow.

Check out the menu in the athlete food tent here.  Bring the food ticket from the race bib to get into the food tent. Please note, spectators and guests are not allowed to purchase food from this location. 

Athletes will each also receive a reusable snack bag with their water bottles as they come out of the finish chute.  Snacks include:

• Truebars, made locally by Bakery on Main in East Hartford
• Dole Fruit Bowls
• Justin's Almond Butter packets
• Crackers
• Sara Lee Brownies

Another post-race highlight is always the Harpoon Beer Garden.  Athletes 21+ with ID receive one free beer with the beer ticket from their bib.  Souvenir pint glasses and beer will also be sold in the Beer Garden.

And for your race night celebrations, many local restaurants are providing discounts and offers for runners.  Please visit The Extra Mile information linked here for promotional offers.  

Spectator Tips - Finding Your Runner

We want your friends and family to enjoy your race experience too!  We’ve collected some tips to share with spectators who want to track runners and catch up with them on the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon courses. 

Don’t wait until race morning to sign up for athlete tracking, although it’s simple to do, best to plan ahead.  Get details to set up athlete tracking here.   

Depending on when you are coming into the downtown area will determine how best to arrive (Parking early to stay downtown?  Coming in later to just catch the finish?  Parking and trying to drive to other areas?).  There’s no one right way to direct spectators, so planning ahead is key. Road closures and parking info will help spectators plan their morning. 

Most spectators don’t want to miss the spectacular start on Capitol Ave. (follow runner directions for that but be mindful of road closures if you're going to try to leave the area by car). The energy and excitement is inspiring….the National Anthem with its short pauses hushing thousands of runners, and the celebration that ensues when the start horn sounds.  

If you are coming in to watch the marathon after the start, our suggestions for arrival/parking follow, based on road closures.
       Use the highway system to enter Hartford - either I-84 or I-91.
       Use highway exits north of Asylum Street or south of Capitol Ave.
Parking (if not filled):
       Coming from the west, east, north, use 58 Chapel Street or 1212 Main Street
       Coming from the south use Front Street Garage

Watching Marathon Runners

Tracking marathon runners (course map here), your first stop from the start is Mortensen Riverfront Plaza at the Founders Bridge.  Located just a half mile from Bushnell Park, you can quickly walk there before your runner gets to mile 4 on the riverfront path.   Stay put there to catch them again at mile 6 as they leave the city on the bridge.

Once your runner passes mile 6, you can catch them again at Great River Park in East Hartford at mile 8.  This is a beautiful waterfront park and great location to cheer on runners across the Founders Bridge pedestrian walkway.

Marathon runners will meet "The Wall", mile 20 on Old Main Street in South Windsor.  The phenomenon of “The Wall” evades easy definition, but runners know it when they hit it.   Their pace often slows - some runners say that it feels as though their legs had been filled with lead or they can’t feel their feet. Muscle coordination and thought processes get shaky, and self-doubt creeps in. Runners need cheering spectators at this point, but plan ahead to get their by car.  Your best access is from Route 5, which runs parallel to Old Main St. Park on the side roads that connect through to Main St to catch your runners in this stretch.

Then, back to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza at the Founders Bridge, runners will be encouraged to finish strong as they cross back into the city at mile 25. This location is the High Five Mile, where we’ve got extra enthusiastic supporters helping to push runners to the finish.  

Spectators quickly head back to Bushnell Park to watch their runner cross under the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch to the finish.  Runners will then be routed around the corner onto Elm Street to enter the Finish Line Expo in Bushnell Park.

Catching up with Half Marathoners

Course info and map for the half are available here.  A great stop by car to catch half marathon runners is by the Mercy Community Center water station on Steel Rd in West Hartford. Set up around mile 8, there is plenty of parking on the side streets off of Steele Road to park and join the cheering section there.

You can catch half marathoners again around mile 10 in Elizabeth Park off Asylum Avenue.  Then, head back to Bushnell Park to catch runners under the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch.

If you lose your loved one, you can catch up at the Family Reunion area in the Park, check the map here.  Grab a bite to eat from one of the food vendors on Elm Street or check with the Info tent for recommendations on local restaurants and coffee spots. 

A little extra on race day

Each year, we try to improve or add a little something extra for our runners – this year we’re really working hard on the weather!!  Stay tuned on that...but we can guarantee that we’ve got a great race experience in store for you. 

Whether you’ve run Hartford before, or this is your first, we want you to enjoy everything the Eversource Hartford Marathon has to offer.  Here are some highlights:

Pace teams – Pace leaders are offered for the full from 3:00 to 5:30, and for the half from 1:30 to 3:00.   This is a great free service to help you achieve your goal time.  Pacer leaders will wear bright yellow pace shirts and hold their pace signs for the start.  See photos and learn a little more about their race day strategy and pacing style.

Mobile App – Download today to put all race day resources at your fingertips and on the go with you – course maps, start and Bushnell Park maps, parking info, events schedule, results and more.

Athlete Tracking services – Let friends and family follow your race from anywhere they are!  Sign up for tracking to have updates automatically sent to your designated social networks or via Text message when you cross tracking points on the course.

 

Freedom Point, presented by Bank of America – Special hospitality venue for active military, reservists, veterans and their families. Just show military ID to get in and enjoy some pampering.

Psyching Team – Let the Springfield College Running Psychology Team help with your mental readiness.  They will be wearing blue team hats at the Expo, on the course and post-race. The team is available to provide performance enhancement strategies for goal-setting, positive self-talk, energy management, relaxation techniques and positive affirmations to help you feel your best!

Chapter 126 Zone – Physically challenged athletes can utilize this gathering place in Bushnell Park for pre- and post-race needs.  It’s wheelchair accessible allowing athletes to store regular wheelchairs and stage their racing chairs. We will have handicapped accessible portalets and baggage service for athletes. 

HMF FitKids – Children aged 2-11 can get in on the race action! Distances are offered from 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and mile and each child gets a finisher medal and t-shirt.  Note, children can be registered in advance or on race day.

The Extra Mile – So many great restaurants and attractions are offering runners deals and discounts around town.  Please check the link and support local with your pre-race plans or post-race celebrations on Saturday night!