More than 900 runners took to the streets of West Hartford to kick off the second day of Celebrate! West Hartford with the FUNd RUNS.
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
By Ronni Newton. Photos by Craig Rosenberg and Robert Fiedler
The rain did not dampen the spirits of the nearly 1,000 participants in the Celebrate! West Hartford’s FUNd RUNS – the 5K and the Kids K – which attracted runners from ages toddler to 80-plus who tested out the new courses Sunday morning during one of the favorite activities of the town’s signature festival.
While the Kids K stayed within the confines of Blue Back Square, the new 5K course took runners north up Main Street to Craigmoor Road where they turned right and then headed south to enjoy the picturesque Trout Brook Trail for the second half of the race. The race ended with an uphill on Memorial Road to the finish line arch in Blue Back Square – but other than that hill most of the course was flat and fast.
Tommy O’Gorman, 25, of West Hartford was the first to break the tape, finishing the 5K in 15:44. Jack Lynch, 23, of Lyme, NH, was second in 15:52, and Braeden Laframboise, 21, from Southington –who was last year’s winner on the old course – finished third in 16:10.
Katie Stevens was the first female finisher in the 5K. Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
The first woman to cross the line was Katie Stevens, 24, of Dayville, CT, in 18:19. Abby Fernald, 21, of Avon, was the second woman in 18:32, and Jenna Zydanowicz of West Hartford, 22, was third in 18:49.
Complete race results can be found here.
A portion of the proceeds from the Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS are donated to the Leisure Services Scholarship Fund which aids low-income families by funding the cost of enrolling in swim lessons, summer camps, and various other activities.
For scenes from the remainder of the Celebrate! West Hartford event, click here.
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS 5K. June 9, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Fiedler
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