The Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.

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. 11 , and even if you are not joining the approximately 10,000 runners who will be pounding the pavement for as many as 26.2 miles, or the more than 1,500  volunteers providing support, you may still be impacted by the race.

Days in advance of the races, the Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) has already started transforming Bushnell Park and the placing signage along the courses for what will be the 32nd running of the event. The courses were revamped two years ago, and feature 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.

This year’s event will also celebrate the historic installation of the “Run Hartford” mural, located in downtown Hartford at the corner of Pearl and Lewis Streets where it an be seen from the course.

All runners – including those participating in the 5K – finish under the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park.

The marathon, half marathon, and relay have already reached capacity, and as of Tuesday, Oct. 7, the 5K was nearing capacity as well and anyone still hoping to to participate should check HartfordMarathon.com and register as soon as possible.

“The energy and excitement for race day in greater Hartford is something we look forward to each year and we’re grateful to the community, our municipal partners, the volunteers and sponsors who help make it all happen,” Hartford Marathon Foundation President Josh Miller said in a statement. “We’re so proud to support local businesses and charity causes and help race participants achieve their goals with this cherished annual tradition.”

While Eversource is the title sponsor, many local and national companies and vendors support event sponsorships at various levels – and their commitments attract race participants from throughout the country and also boost the area’s economy. Local restaurants and retailers also offer specials for participants and supporters.

“The Hartford Marathon is a sure sign of fall in Connecticut, and we couldn’t be more excited than when the calendar flips to October and this incredible event is here,” Eversource Chairman, President and CEO Joe Nolan said in a statement. “We have hundreds of employees who run and volunteer on race day with the rest of us cheering from the sidelines. Teaming up with the Hartford Marathon Foundation since 2014 has been an amazing partnership. It’s a natural fit because like HMF, we have a long history of supporting the communities we serve and charitable organizations that do such great work for the people of Connecticut. We’re proud to help energize the Eversource Hartford Marathon’s tremendous impact on the region year after year.”

The Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon also provides a boost for charitable organizations with thousands of participants using the event as a fundraiser that to date has raised more than $9.5 million for local and national charities. According to HMF, this year there are 28 Official Charities. “Walkers are also encouraged to participate in the Charity 5K and join a fundraising team through the Official Charity program or choose a charity of choice to represent on race day,” HMF said.

Logistics

In addition to the races, participants should take note that there is a new location for the Eversource Hartford Marathon Packet Pickup & Expo. This year it will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9. from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 7 p.m. (bib pick-up until 9 p.m.) at the Connecticut Convention Center.

There will not be packet pick-up available on race day, but there will be the annual post-race party in Bushnell Park, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Participants in the marathon, half marathon, and relay start in front of the state Capitol building, with those races beginning at 8 a.m. (wheelchair start at 7:55 a.m.).

The 5K race starts on Capitol Ave between Clinton and West streets at 8:01 a.m., and the HMF FitKids races start on the east side of Bushnell Park at 9:30 a.m.

Teams of public safety officials from Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, South Windsor, and the State of Connecticut assist HMF with the event.

Road closures

The following West Hartford roads will be closed to traffic from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m., although as soon as the roads are cleared of runners, they will reopen fully to traffic.

• Fern Street (from Prospect Avenue to Penn Drive)
• Penn Drive
• Asylum Avenue (from Penn Drive to Prospect Avenue)
• Elizabeth Park Road
• Prospect Avenue (from Fern Street to Asylum Avenue)

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 is posted, 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 or check social media including Facebook at HMF Events, X at @runHMF, or Instagram @HMF_Events to learn more.

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