The Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
By Ronni Newton
The Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K kick off in Hartford’s Bushnell Park at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, and even if you are not joining the approximately 8,500 runners who will be pounding the pavement for as many as 26.2 miles, or the more than 2,000 volunteers providing support, you may still be impacted by the race.
This year marks the 30th running of the event and the courses have been revamped, with both the full marathon and the half marathon traversing the roads of West Hartford before runners split off in downtown Hartford just past the 8-mile marker. The full marathon will then cross the Founders Bridge and head into East Hartford and South Windsor, while half marathoners will run along the Connecticut River.
All runners – including those participating in the 5K – finish under the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park.
The following West Hartford roads will be closed to traffic from 8 until 9:30 a.m.
- Fern Street (from Prospect Avenue to Penn Drive)
- Penn Drive
- Asylum Avenue (from Penn Drive to Prospect Avenue)
- Elizabeth Park Road
- Prospect Ave (from Fern Street to Asylum Avenue)
Town of West Hartford Public Relations Specialist Renée McCue advised that traffic advisory mailers were sent in advance to those who live on the race route, as well as all who live in the “box” between Prospect Avenue and Penn Drive.
Traffic advisory alert signage has been posted since Oct. 2, and representatives of the Hartford Marathon Foundation also delivered race guides and cowbells (to assist with cheering) to those in the impacted areas.
Cheering for runners is encouraged, and runners very much appreciate crowd support all along the course. If you’re looking for a good place to gather with a group to cheer runners in West Hartford, Morley Elementary School (77 Bretton Road) is a good place to catch marathoners and half-marathoners at mile 3.2. Elizabeth Park, where runners hit the 5-mile mark, is also a good place to gather for viewing the race.
Roads will reopen as runners pass, and when possible, police will direct cross traffic during the race. Delays and detours should be expected, however, in West Hartford as well as in Hartford, East Hartford, and South Windsor.
If you’re one of the estimated 65,000 people heading into Hartford to participate in race day activities or headed through the area for other reasons, be aware that the full marathon route will impact traffic in Hartford, East Hartford, and South Windsor. Be sure to check the Hartford Marathon website for additional information about road closures, parking, and CT Transit updates.
For full details about Saturday’s Hartford Marathon and related events, visit the website.
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