About 1,500 people participated in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s annual Blue Back Mitten Run Sunday in West Hartford.
Tommy O’Gorman of West Hartford set a new record, winning the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run in 15:21. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Many of the runners in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Blue Back Mitten Run were able to shed their mittens by the time they crossed the finish line Sunday, and in perfect running conditions a West Hartford man set a new record for the course.
Many were decked out in festive attire for the race – with a multitude Santas and elves, as well as a group of Grinches, as well as many dressed in “ugly” sweaters – taking to the streets of West Hartford for the 5K run.
Tommy O’Gorman, 22, broke through the tape in 15:21, besting the Mitten Run course record of 15:27 previously set by Everett Hackett in December 2017.
O’Gorman had finished third in December 2019, the last time the Mitten Run was held. The event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and Sunday was the 12th running of what is traditionally the final race of HMF’s season. The 12Ks of Christmas holiday challenge, which began Dec. 1 and can be completed as either a team or individual event, is also taking place concurrently.
Ben Lanza, 24, of Hartford, was second in 15:43, and West Hartford resident Chris Angelo, 26 – who had won the Mitten Run in 2018 and 2019 – took third Sunday in 15:52.
The first woman to cross the finish line was Nancy Montemerlo, 25, of Hartford, in a time of 17:50. Elizabeth Fengler, 26, of Wallingford was the second woman, in 18:32, followed by fellow Wallingford resident Katie Overstrum, 23, who finished in 19:49.
Several hundred children ages 2-11 also 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.
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kids, many accompanied by their parents, participate in the HMF FitKids race that was part of the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kids, many accompanied by their parents, participate in the HMF FitKids race that was part of the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kids, many accompanied by their parents, participate in the HMF FitKids race that was part of the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bringing up the rear of the HMF FitKids run which was part of the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Tommy O’Gorman of West Hartford set a new record, winning the HMF Blue Back Mitten Run in 15:21. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Nancy Montemerlo of Hartford was the first female finisher in 17:50. HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. Dec. 5, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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