The CT Distance Festival will be held on Friday, May 8, at Hall High School in West Hartford.

Submitted 

The CT Distance Festival returns to the track at Hall High School this Friday, May 8, promising an electric atmosphere under the lights for Connecticut’s premier middle-distance and distance athletes.

Meet Director and Hall Track & Field coach Jeff Billing shares that races will be running continuously from 4 to 9 p.m. and admission is free of charge. Music will be blasting, food trucks will be serving meals, reps from Puma and Adidas will be on site, and some of the fastest high school runners in New England will be toeing the line. 

The festival has become a staple for runners seeking personal bests and a chance to test their mettle against the state’s elite. This year’s schedule includes:

• 34 Heats of the Mile: From the rising stars in the early afternoon to the “Championship” heats at 7:45 p.m., the mile remains the main attraction.

• 3 Heats of the 5,000m: The night will culminate from 8-9 p.m. with the 5K, where endurance specialists will battle the clock and each other for state-leading times, school records and national qualifiers. 

The CT Distance Festival returns to Hall High School in West Hartford on Friday, May 8, 2026. Courtesy photo

Star Power on the Start Line

The entry list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Connecticut track and field. Headlining the boys’ Mile field is East Lyme standout Sam Leone. Leone, a Brooks Nationals Finalist with a resume that includes a 4:12.71 1600m and a 15:20 5K, is widely considered the man to beat. Sam’s PR is under the meet record of 4:13. He will be challenged by two-time New England 1000m champion Alex Medina of Hamden and Hall’s own 4:19 miler Jonah Schulman. In the Boys 5K, Tycen Labelle, another Brooks National Finalist,  is the favorite along with Avon’s Brahm Bulow. Together they might break 15:00 and could challenge the meet record of 14:39.

Glastonbury’s Lauren Parrett expects to lead the way in the Girls 5K and has her sights set on the meet record of 17:05, while in the Girls Mile Manchester’s Harper Shirley is the favorite since running 4:52 for the 1600 last week, which puts her within striking distance of the 4:49 meet record. 

Why It Matters

For many, the CT Distance Festival is more than just a meet; it’s a PR factory. With heats seeded by time rather than school size, athletes are guaranteed to be surrounded by competitors at their exact skill level.

“There’s something about the energy at Hall High on a Friday night,” says one local coach. “Between the music, the fans lining the track, and the sheer volume of talent, the kids can’t help but run fast.”

Whether you’re a die-hard track fan or just looking to witness local history, Hall High School is the place to be this Friday. Admission is open to the public, and the “crescendo” heats are expected to begin as the sun goes down.

Event Details:

• What: CT Distance Festival 2026
• Where: Hall High School, West Hartford, CT
• When: Friday, May 8 | 4-9:00 p.m.
• Events: 1-Mile, 5,000 Meters

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.