I recently participated in the 2012 edition of the ING Hartford Marathon. I traveled from Honolulu, HI for this one and have doubled up with the Amica Rhode Island Marathon the next day. I did enjoy the race up to a point, where the course support was great and the aid stations were adequate. I do love the urban races so much, that I probably will favor more of them versus trail marathons and ultras. The ING Hartford Marathon & Half marathon is the biggest marathon event in Connecticut. Period. There is another marathon in Roxbury, but it does not compare to ING Hartford. Seriously. The only problem I have with this race was that they started to take down the course mile markers after 5 hours. I was on mile 17 with friends when they started to do that. Obviously, I got lost when I got to mile 21 and veered off course. So much so, that I ended up on the shoulder on the I-84. When I realized that I was on the wrong path, I got back on track, but lost a significant amount of time. Thankfully that I did find the course bike marshals and they directed me back to downtown Hartford and the founder's bridge. After crossing the bridge at mile 25, I could not find where I was going. Everything seemed to be gone till a friend of mine who ran the half helped guide me to the Hartford arch and the finish line. If it weren't for her, I most likely would have been lost in downtown Hartford and posted a DNF for this race. The ING Hartford Marathon is good, regardless of my own personal experience. They have a potential growth here and I am happy that I was able to travel here and run this one for my own well being and to sacrifice a little bit of my sanity in the process. Love the crowd support in the early goiing and the residential support along the middle the course (mile 10+). Thankful also for the official gear check people who taken in my two bags, when I didn't have the gear tag with me, bout they had blank tags there and filled my race number on two tags and tied them to my bags for identification later after the race. I did like the finish at the Hartford Arch though. The finisher's medals were hot. Hope to be back sometime! B #Yelp Marathons read more

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This past October marked the 3rd ING Hartford Half Marathon I have participated in. It is my Fall "A" race. I love this race, not only because it is so close by but it is one of the most well run races I have had the pleasure of participating in. I have never run the full marathon course so my review is for the half marathon. Here are my thoughts on the race: *Expo - I had no problem picking up my number. I always go and pick up my number during my lunch break and have never had to wait that long. It's very organized. Volunteers check you in, you pick up your number and then head over to grab your shirt. I love the fact that you get a long sleeve tech shirt ( I am a sucker for those) and because they were not busy I was able to try it on to make sure I got the right size. There are a good quantity of vendors but you are not going to see (at least yet) any of the big running companies. However, there was definitely a good mix of vendors for me to geek out to. *The Start - No problem finding that - the race for both the full and the half start at the same time in front of the state capitol. This race does not have a wave start - once the "gun" goes off it's every man and woman for themselves. I hope that as the race continues to grow that they implement this system. Makes it for a less congested start and would help runners get into their "groove" easier. *Course - The half and the full separate less then a mile from the start. Signage and the well placed volunteers make it very difficult to "accidentally" run the wrong race. The half marathon makes its way through the Park section of Hartford up through and around West Hartford near St. Joseph's college before bringing the runners back down Farmington Avenue to finish under the arch at Bushnell Park. This is not a flat course by any stretch of the imagination - it's relatively hilly with the last "gentle rise" coming as you run down Farmington Avenue thinking to your self - "Self - why isn't the arch getting any closer are you sure we are running toward it." OK maybe you don't but I have said that to myself each of the three times I have run this race. Another thing I love about this race is the fans on the course - which runs through several residential areas - because it is their cheers and noise which at times has kept moving me forward when my legs did not want to go as fast. *Fuel - *Hydration (water and Gatorade) stations were well stocked and there were plenty of them throughout the entire course Although I carried my own fuel - it was good to see that they have one fuel station along the course with volunteers passing out GU. *Finish Line- Heat blankets are given to runners as soon as they cross the finish and they have sure come in handy. In an effort to be more "green" the organizers have implemented water fountains for the finishers to drink from AND THEN after you are handed your medal - you are presented with a full and reusable water bottle. Great idea and a great way to eliminate waste. I also loved the fact that this year, in addition to the water bottle, each runner was handed a reusable bag with several snacks in it. I cannot tell you how many races I have had many things to juggle (water, i pod, medal, heat sheet) and I don't have any room to carry the food. *This is a great and very well run event. I look forward to it every fall and am glad that more and more runners are discovering this great fall race read more

A well run organization. Most of their races have great post race parties. All racers get t-shirts-the real reason to run. Here are a few of the must do races: Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon This October race is clearly a must do. There is also a 5k before the 2 longer races. I have done the Half Marathon twice. The half course goes through West Hartford, Elizabeth Park, and finishes under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. There a few hills in the beginning, but it ends flat. The crowd turnout is pretty good. The post race party in Bushnell Park is awesome. There is a beer garden, with Ten Penny and Harpoon beer with free hot dogs. There is a band, tents selling post race souvenirs. The medal for full and half marathons are really nice, and better than other marathon medals I have seen. All runners get cool long-sleeve tech shirts. Max's O'Hartford 5K This March 5k has to be one of my favorite 5ks. It's a great 5k for first timers. It was my first 5k. Everyone is in green for St Patty's. This race is fun and festive. The race finishes flat and under the Memorial Arch. Free Thomas Hooker beer, after the race! Along with corned beef. Afterwards half the racers bar hop at the downtown pubs. Surftown Half Marathon A September half marathon that runs through Misquamicut and Watch Hill. This race is a little hilly, but I loved it. Nothing beats running by the Ocean! Post race there was a beer garden, with calm chowder. The only bad thing I can say about this was there weren't enough port o potties. However this was the inaugural race, so maybe next year they will correct this issue. Plus us guys have a way around this issue! That being said, I loved this race. All runners get cool long-sleeve tech shirts. X-Treme Scramble Series A racing series consisting of three fun midweek evening summer 5k races. The races can involve stairs or other obstacles, make these 5ks gut busting fun! The post race party includes music, free Harpoon beer and food. A great way to spend a summers eve in Hartford. They also have triathlons and duathlons, I plan on doing my first duathlon this year and a triathlon down the road. read more

I've run several major marathons including Boston.... And guess what? Hartford is better than Boston and better than any. It's such a celebration and no marathon holds a special place in my heart like my annual Hartford Marathon Tradition. Great course, volunteers, snacks at the end, and a solid expo. Thank you HMF. read more

So, I have to give it to the Hartford Marathon Foundation for putting together such a fantastic 5K event for Sandy Hook. This was an event that I was proud to be part of. The Pros: 1. helpful staff where ever you looked 2. Easy access to free parking (flashing signs on the highway told us where to go) 3. Smiling happy faces 4. People cheering you on at every checkpoint 5. DJs/Marching Bands/MCs etc.. The Cons on behalf of mother nature: 1. WIND 2. SNOW 3. BRRRRRR! The Cons on behalf of HMF: 1. There must have been a mess up on their part of mailing out A LOT of bibs... you then had to stand in a line....said line..wrapped AROUND the XL center..and it was cold, like really cold. Because of this mess up...when I looked online to check out my results, it said, there was only 8,000 or so runners...but really, there were 15,000...I guarantee the remainder of the people, really DID run, but never went for their bib because of the weather.... (I know this because some of my friends were those people. 2. 15,000 people... thousands of spectators... you need more restrooms! I don't mind using a portapotty..but I don't want to walk a mile to get to one. We, at one point, tried to use one in the XL center....and one very cranky VOLUNTEER screamed at us..(listen, if you're going to volunteer at such a momentous event, leave your attitude at the door lady...you totally ruined my good vibes) 3. When you cross the finish line...we had to stop abruptly.. no cool down...corralled in these fenced in lines.... where the first thing we see is..pretzels? where's the water?? the water was all the way at the end of the line, that took forever to get through! Next time, put the water at the front. Other than those few kinks...this 5k was AWESOME! everyone had so much fun and I can't wait to do it next year....hopefully....if it doesn't snow;) no no...I'll be there read more

We had an awesome time running the 5 K portion of the Hartford Marathon. It was a beautiful day in our Capitol city. Race was super organized from packet pick up at the XL center to bag check to the finish line. A shout out to all the volunteers who make this race work. With out them it would not be possible . Really a regional event as the half and full marathons go into surrounding towns. Thx to all the police , fire, and public work departments for all their logistics . The finish line was organized from temp water fountains set up to metal and water bottle swag bag for each runner. After the race the runners were feed in a nice food tent . There were vendors and a beers garden with music playing on the stage. A great day!' Also had a great time visiting a local bar and Black Eye Sally's for lunch . Go Hartford we are routing for you. Keep up the great events. read more

Hartford residents really bring it for this race! I did the half marathon & I don't think there was a block where there were not some folks out on the lawn or porch cheering on runners. Signs, cowbells, even an unofficial mini-pancake stop. Both residents & businesses were amazingly supportive of the runners. I've never experienced anything like it! The route was well marked, plenty of water stops & port-a-potties along the route. The route itself was pretty scenic with some pretty parks, great views of downtown & even along in front of the Mark Twain House. If the timing and travel ever worked out, I would run this race again, no question. Congrats to HMF & the city of Hartford for such an amazing event! read more

I have run a lot of races, but the Hartford Half Marathon 2013 was easily a highlight of my running career. The energy of the race is electric, and the feeling of running through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at the finish line is a sentiment that is incomparable to anything I have ever experienced. They gave us a high quality bag canvas bag at the finish line (which I incidentally now use as a lunch bag), a gorgeous and colorful finisher medal, as well as a water bottle with water already in it. Hartford knows how to do it right. I will definitely be running this race again! read more