Johnny’s Jog for Charity Tops $1 Million Milestone as Hundreds Enjoy Annual Event
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The St. Patrick’s Day-themed ‘Johnny’s Jog for Charity’ 5K was held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square.
Johnny’s Jog founders and organizers (from left) Dan Moran, Laura Moran, Kelly Clark, Dan Clark. Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
With a cool, damp wind blowing and the threat of rain, Sunday morning may have been just a mediocre day for an ordinary run – but for those participating in the annual St. Patrick Day-themed Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K, it was a great day for a run.
A sea of green crowded into Blue Back Square – and more than 1,000 lined up at the under the balloon arch to traverse 3.1 miles through West Hartford’s neighborhoods for the 15th annual event. Participants had the option of running or walking just for the experience or being timed.
Fox Mace, 17, of West Hartford won the 5K race in a time of 16:04.53. Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
There were serious runners – including Hall High School senior Fox Mace, who was the first to break the tape, finishing the race in 16:04.53. He was followed by a handful of other speedy West Hartford teens clustered together and vying for second and third place in the race, including Eliot Norwood (16:58.54), Alex Martin-Casas (16:59.50), Eli Levithan (17:00.86), and Samuel Chaparro (17:34.53).
Jillian Agarwal, 40, of West Hartford, was the first female finisher – for the fourth year in row – in a time of 19:28.67, which was ninth overall. Sammi Bray, 22, of Southington, was the second female (21:17.98), and Riya Chhabra, 15, of West Hartford, was the third female (22:02.87).
Jillian Agarwal was the first female to cross the finish line of the 5K, in 19:28.67. Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Laura Moran and her husband, Dan Moran, and their friends and fellow West Hartford residents Dan and Kelly Clark, started the 5K fundraising event in 2011, and it has taken place each year since then with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic.
“We’re just getting over the $1 million mark, and this is the 15th event,” Dan Moran said before the race, thanking all of those who were involved in the organization, sponsorship, and participation.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog was inspired by the incredible, brave, but sadly brief life of Laura and Dan Moran’s son, Johnny, who was born in 2007 with Wieacker Wolff Syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition. Johnny passed away in April 2016, but the organization and race founded in his honor continue to celebrate his resilience, strength, and positive attitude, and bring the community together.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Since the first Johnny’s Jog for Charity, the event has grown into a community favorite drawing serious runners, casual walkers, fans of St. Patrick’s Day-themed activities, and supporters of the nonprofits that the fundraiser benefits.
Johnny’s Jog annually is a benefit for charities that support children – Covenant Preparatory School of Hartford, The Miracle League of Connecticut, and The Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation. Each year a different “Clover Club” charity is chosen, and it 2026 it was The Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA), a Hartford-based nonprofit that provides legal advocacy for underserved Connecticut families – helping low-income children with special needs access education, healthcare, disability accommodations, and financial support.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog is again thankful to NBT Bank, the exclusive Grand St. Patrick’s Club sponsor for the third year in a row, showing impressive community support, as well as to the many other sponsoring organizations from throughout the community.
For more information about Johnny’s Jog, including complete race results, visit the website www.johnnysjog.com. You can also follow Johnny’s Jog for Charity on Facebook or Instagram (@johnnysjog). Johnny’s Jog gear can also be found online here.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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