The Hartford Marathon Foundation’s annual Blue Back Mitten Run was held on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in West Hartford.
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The race beanies, mittens, and ugly sweaters that many runners donned may have gotten a bit soggy on Sunday morning, but that didn’t dampen the spirit of the season at the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Blue Back Mitten Run, the final event of the racing season.
There were about 1,650 people pre-registered for the 5K race, according to HMF spokesperson Liz Cowles, and although some chose to stay home due to the chilly rain that had been falling steadily all morning, the weather has more of an impact on no-shows and “day-of” registrants, she said.
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Among the “Santas,” elves, and other holiday-related characters that took to the streets of West Hartford were more than 150 members of Girls on the Run. A large cohort of middle schoolers from the HMF’s “Susie Beris, MD Youth Running Program,” participated in their first race.
It was the first Mitten Run for HMF President Josh Miller, who took over in January when Beth Shluger retired. Miller, previously a VP of the organization and veteran race director, has been with the HMF for nearly 15 years.
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Miller said he was excited about Sunday’s event, despite the wet weather. “It’s still a great day, we have a great crowd here,” he said. “We have our partnership with CLA this year, which we’re super excited about. We’re just excited to be in West Hartford where the community comes out to support us.”
The HMF will begin its new season in January. “We’re launching a new event next week. It kicks off in January,” Miller said – but the details are being kept under wraps until next week.
The winner of Sunday’s Mitten Run 5K race was Max Aronow, 26, a West Hartford native and Hall High School graduate who now lives in Bloomfield, who finished in 15:55. Aronow was third in the race last year, and took nearly 40 seconds off his time.
The race record is 15:21, set by Tommy O’Gorman in 2021.
Greg Weaver of West Hartford was third in the Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chris Testa, 24, of Hartford, was second on Sunday in 16:26, and Greg Weaver, 43, of West Hartford – who is perennially among the top finishers – was third in 17:00.
Anna Shields, 32, of Hartford, was the first woman to break the tape, finishing 18:21.
Anna Shields was the female winner of the 2023 Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Nancy Montemerlo, 27, also of Hartford, was second in 18:45, closely followed by Glastonbury’s Alyssa Natario, 32, who finished in 18:50. West Hartford native and Conard High School graduate Olivia Borquin, 28, was the fourth woman (19:03) and took the F25-29 age group prize.
Olivia Bourquin. Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Several hundred children ages 2-11 participated in the HMF FitKids race, and were given the opportunity to run distances of ½ mile or one mile. Some, particularly the youngest, were also accompanied by their parents during the event.
The Mitten Run also supported West Hartford’s Town That Cares Fund, and bins full of new mittens, gloves, scarves and hats were collected as donations for needy residents.
For complete race results, click here.
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Marathon Foundation Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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