2–4–1, Asics, and Fleet Feet will team up to promote mental health and movement for kids at the second annual Blue Jean Mile in Memory of Jason Hannigan, May 11, 2024, at Hall High School in West Hartford.

By Ronni Newton

Local nonprofit 2-4-1 Care will again team up with Fleet Feet Sports and Asics to host the second annual Blue Jean Mile, an event to raise awareness of local resources that focus on movement and mental health, and will be held in memory of beloved friend and West Hartford resident Jason Hannigan.

Funds raised through the event will be used to support free 2–4–1 programs in Hartford that focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) through sport.

This year the Blue Jean Mile will be run (or jogged or walked) on the track at Hall High School in West Hartford, on Saturday, May 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Last May, in its inaugural year, more than 250 participated – including a joggler – and together more than $10,000 was raised in in support of 2-4-1’s TOP Self program for kids in Hartford’s schools. The program gives kids the opportunity to sample sports, develop leadership abilities, and build social and emotional skills.

A ‘joggler’ participated in the Blue Jean Mile. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)

What exactly is the Blue Jean Mile?

“Mental and physical health go hand-in-hand,” 2-4-1 said in an announcement of the event, noting that the Blue Jean Mile is the brainchild of professional middle-distance runner Johnny Gregorek, who was looking for a meaningful way to challenge himself during 2020, when races and other traditional competitions were paused due to the pandemic.

“Gregorek wanted to push himself physically while also honoring and celebrating the life of his late brother, Patrick,” the announcement states. “With Patrick’s memory on his mind, decided to try and break the record for the fastest mile run in a pair of blue jeans. To Gregorek, running a mile in blue jeans seemed like the perfect way to blend Patrick’s sense of humor with Gregorek’s own life and livelihood. Gregorek teamed up with NAMI-NYC to raise money and awareness for mental health, all while chasing down the blue jean mile record, which at the time was a jaw-dropping 4:11.”

The West Hartford event follows Johnny Gregorek’s lead and Hannigan’s legacy, with the goal of making a difference for mental health in the local area.

This year’s sponsors also include area residents, such as Jason Hannigan’s spouse Mary Painter and family, and local businesses and nonprofits including the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Farmington Valley; Friends of Feeney; Mental Health Connecticut; Big Sky Gyms; Wentworth Deangelis & Kaufman; Blue Back Dental; Sarah Eagan, Child Advocate, State of Connecticut; DrugfreeCT.org; and Hartford Sweat.

Click here to register or donate.

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