The first ever West Hartford Freedom Run is being organized by Conard High School students and will support the Wounded Warrior Project.

By Ronni Newton

Organizers are hoping to attract a crowd of runners and walkers to the inaugural 5K Freedom Run event, which begins and ends at West Hartford Town Hall.

Connor Swanton, a rising senior at Conard High School, was inspired to support the Wounded Warrior Project when he watched a commercial about the organization. Swanton’s two uncles served in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he said he “wanted to give back to those who sacrificed their lives to protect this nation.”

Swanton formed a committee of his classmates, including Nate Richam, Tyler Carson, Zach Boehm, Brian McCauley, Zacharie Mega, and Julie McKenna. The teens have been encouraging the support of runners as well as volunteers and donors.

The race begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2015. Early registration is $30, and will be available through June 30. After that, the price will increase to $40. Each runner will receive a t-shirt, and same-day registration is also available.

The course is:

• Start at Town Hall cross over South Main Street to Ellsworth
• Left onto Van Buren
• Right onto Boulevard
• Right onto Ridgewood
• Right onto Farmington
• Right onto LaSalle
• Left onto Ellsworth
• Finish at Town Hall

For more information on how you can register, donate, or assit, visit the website www.westhartfordfreedomrun.com. You can also contact Connor Swanton at 860-604-2853. The West Hartford Freedom Run is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!