The Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

By Ronni Newton

The Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K kick off in Hartford’s Bushnell Park at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, and even if you are not joining the approximately 8,000 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.

For the first time since 2019, a portion of the half marathon course – approximately six of the 13.1 miles – will traverse the streets of West Hartford. In 2020, the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s signature event went completely virtual, and in 2021 the course was temporarily altered.

Beth Shluger, president of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and race director for the Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, said she is thrilled to have the half marathon course return to West Hartford. Even though the races were held in person in 2021, she said they had to cap the number of entrants and the only way HMF could afford to stage the race was to have both the marathon and half marathon on the same course – all in Hartford and east of the river.

“This year we’re back to our traditional course,” Shluger said. “There are lots of excited neighbors who are back to having parties and cheering on runners.”

West Hartford road closures will begin at 8 a.m. (roads will close earlier in Hartford) and roads will open and close on a staggered basis as the race proceeds through town. Approximately 5,000 runners are expected to be participating in the half marathon.

Impacted streets in West Hartford include Park Road, Whiting Lane, South Quaker Lane, South Highland, Boulevard, North Quaker Lane, Fern Street, Trout Brook Drive (Northbound lanes), Albany Avenue between Steele Road and Trout Brook (Eastbound lanes), Steele Road, and the interior of Elizabeth Park. All roads in West Hartford should re-open to traffic by 10:30 a.m.

Runners love the support of cheering spectators, and several ideal spots to watch the half marathon race can be found within West Hartford.

Large crowds often gather along South Quaker Lane and Fern Street. At the 8.5-mile mark of the race, in front of The Mercy Community’s St. Mary’s Home at 275 Steele Rd., there is plenty of space to stand as well as accessible parking on area side streets.

A half marathon official “cheer zone” can also be found in Elizabeth Park (around mile 9). Closer to mile 10 – when the half marathon runners really start getting tired and need crowd support as they are exiting the park and heading up Asylum Avenue back into Hartford – is another great (and much appreciated) spot for spectators to watch and cheer.

At the “Final Turn Cheer Zone,” presented by Stanley Black & Decker, there will be music and great viewing of all participants on their final stretch as they cross the finish line under the iconic Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch.

There are also bleachers right at the Finish Line.

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 all of the events taking place on Saturday, visit the event website.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.