Runners Fill the Streets of West Hartford for Annual Blue Back Mitten Run
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Many runners donned festive costumes before hitting the streets of West Hartford for the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
More than 1,600 people participated in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s annual Blue Back Mitten Run Sunday in West Hartford.
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton. Photos by Ronni Newton and Craig Rosenberg
Under sunny skies but with temperatures of only about 40 degrees and a brisk breeze, mittens were the perfect accessory for many of the 1,600-plus participants in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s annual Blue Back Mitten Run, held Sunday morning in West Hartford.
This year’s race swag was a pair of bright green and blue fleece-lined mittens, which many runners and walkers eagerly donned before the race began. The mittens were a perfect complement to the already-festive outfits that many participants wore. Santas, elves, and other holiday-related characters, as well as runners in “ugly” sweaters, took to the streets of West Hartford for the 5K run as well as a half-mile and mile kids race.
Santa greeted runners with high-fives at the finish line in Blue Back Square, and holiday cookies awaited as a post-race treat.
Chris Angelo of West Harford won the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run in 15:32. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chris Angelo, 27, of West Hartford broke the tape in 15:32, just 11 seconds shy of the Mitten Run record of 15:21 set by Tommy O’Gorman last year, on a slightly different course. Angelo, who had won the 5K Mitten Run race in 2018 and 2019, was 20 seconds faster this year than he was in 2021.
Mario Vazquez, 44, of Farmington finished second in 15:57, followed by Max Aronow, 25, a West Hartford native who now lives in Bloomfield, finishing third in 16:33.
Katie Overstrum of Wallingford was the first female finisher, in 19:02. HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Among the women, Katie Overstrum, 24, of Wallingford was first in 19:02, the 17th runner overall to finish the race. She was the third-place finisher last year. Linda Spooner, 48, of Sturbridge, MA, was the second female finisher in 19:12, and Shannon Quirk, 26, of West Hartford was third in 20:16.
Shannon Quirk of West Hartford was the third female finisher. HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, who intended to run the race at a leisurely pace, was second in her age group, finishing in 25:11.
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor planned a leisurely run, but finished second in her age group in a time of 25:11. HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. 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.
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
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.
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Residents of 243 Steele Road gathered before the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chris Angelo of West Hartford won the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run in 15:32. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Max Aronow, 25, of West Hartford was third in the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 4, 2022. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
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