Mystic Half Marathon Amp; 10k
Taj Barnett
Hartford HealthCare has been a long-time valued HMF partner, exhibiting at events, providing runner support services and managing the medical services teams at the annual Eversource Hartford Marathon each October. The new partnership in Mystic comes as Hartford HealthCare continues expansion of services in the shoreline region.
For race participants, the 2020 event will also deliver an updated course to route through Mystic Seaport, offering an exclusive opportunity for race participants to run through the seafaring village on the museum grounds and pass National Historic Landmark ships on the Mystic River. After the Seaport, the race course continues through downtown Mystic, over the historic drawbridge, along scenic River Road and through quiet country roads. The half marathon has also been adjusted to provide fewer elevation gains in the back half of the course. An exciting new finish line for both the half marathon and 10K will take place in front of the Milne Center for Ocean Science and Conservation at Mystic Aquarium.
The races begin and end in charming Olde Mistick Village, a destination with restaurants and shops for local and visiting race participants to enjoy after the race. HMF FitKids races will be offered for the youngest runners (aged 2-11) to take on or mile routes through the Village.
The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes 32 annual athletic events, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon. For more information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and on Facebook at HMF Events.
Experience the beautiful Mystic shoreline community at the Hartford HealthCare Mystic Half Marathon and 10K! Enjoy scenic views for 13.1 or 6.2 miles, running from Olde Mistick Village, past historic ships, through the charming downtown with race finish at Mystic Aquarium.
HMF is proud to continue our support of the Rotary Club of Mystic as the charity partner of the Hartford HealthCare Mystic Half & 10K. The Rotary Club is dedicated to making a positive impact on the greater Mystic area through an annual scholarship program, local grants program and international efforts. -healthcare-mystic-half-marathon-10k/
An affront to the crowded beaches, pricey cocktails, and ear-splitting music expected from southern destinations, Connecticut is a back-to-basics spring break retreat. Most of the images evoked by the season, such as bright flowers, fresh fruit, and cultural events, punctuate the state from March to June. Additionally, these spring staples can be paired with modernized takes on traditional festivals held in small communities. See which towns made the Connecti-cut for a serene spring vacation.
Mystic's spring attractions match its name. Pirate Days are scheduled for April 9 and 10 in this seaside village and involve treasure hunting, ship navigating, and many other kinds of pirate cosplaying. There will even be a pirate parade. Less mystical but still somewhat mythical is the Mystic Irish Parade, whose shamrock-themed events run from February to April. Its namesake parade already occurred on March 24. You can finish out the season with the Mystic Half Marathon and 10K, which are set for Sunday, May 19. The enchanting half marathon begins at Olde Mistick Village and passes historic ships and downtown haunts before ending at Mystic Aquarium.
Middlefield is a year-round tourist destination with skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and leaf peeping in autumn. During spring, this Middlesex County town becomes a berry-picking paradise thanks to Lyman Orchards. Voted Connecticut's best pick-your-own farm, Lyman has harvest seasons for different kinds of produce. Typically, the strawberry- and honeyberry-picking season begins in early June, while the raspberry season gets underway in late June. Some fruits, like pears and apples, cannot be picked until late summer or fall. But do not worry: Lyman hosts the Spring Apple Hunt and Pancake Party, so you can find and taste juicy apples and apple pastries months ahead of time (although the apple hunt in the Hay Maze is reserved for children aged 1 to 10). This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, April 13.
Spring is about growth, and New Milford celebrates growth with Spring Fest at Meadowbrook Gardens. It is a multi-day festival focused on gardening, but past events have included food trucks and kids' activities. For 2024, Spring Fest is scheduled to run on April 13 and 14. Another serene spring event in beautiful New Milford is the Spring Art Show at Gallery 25, which is to span three months from April 12 to June 9.
Although not spring-specific, the Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market, a highly rated and highly eclectic trove for "treasure hunters, antique collectors, farmers, foodies, up-cyclers, deal seekers, and entrepreneurs of all kinds," will soon commence for the season at 490 Danbury Road. It is expected to recur every Sunday from April until December.
On April 22, municipalities across America honor the environment for Earth Day, but perhaps no place does it better than Woodbury - at least not in the state. Dubbed "the largest Earth Day celebration in Connecticut," Woodbury Earth Day is commemorating its 30th year with everything from artisan vendors to sustainable lifestyle demonstrations. Attendees can expect to buy birdhouses, alpaca wool goods, herbal iced teas, and beeswax candles, and learn about birds, honey bees, hiking first aid, and native trees. Other woodsy wonders to see in Woodbury this spring are Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, Walker Road Vineyards, and Highwire Deer & Animal Farm.
Spring in Cheshire is bound to make you smile. The season brings colorful fruits and festivities, which combine for the Cheshire Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair. Scheduled for Saturday, June 8, on the grounds of the First Congregational Church, the festival is famous for farm-fresh strawberries, which are made into strawberry shortcake, plus food and craft vendors, face painting, bouncy castles, and live music. It also serves as an expo for community members to rub elbows and strawberry-stuffed stomachs.
From there, you can shop for a larger selection of produce at Norton Brothers Fruit Farm and then relax with a beverage at Counter Weight Brewing Company. For Cheshire visitors wanting more color but in a different form, The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum offers a "trip down memory lane" with over 80,000 toys and collectibles.
Incorporated in 1808, Vernon is a historic town whose attractions harken back to bygone days. Tourists wander Henry Park and, on the rare occasions that it is open, climb The Tower on Fox Hill, a 72-foot veterans' memorial that was completed in 1939. They also check out the New England Civil War Museum, which is housed in a building dating to the late 1800s. During springtime, however, tourists and residents flock to an event that is older than the tower and almost as old as the museum: the Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival. Founded in 1909, the festival celebrates Connecticut sheep and their wonderful wool, plus other homespun fibers. Vendors booked for 2024 include Karen's Lambs, Twist of Fate Spinnery, Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farm, Stitched by JessaLu, and Cold Goats Farm. Do not be sheepish and visit Vernon on April 27.
Connecticut is a spring break destination for spring seekers, not avoiders. From Litchfield's daffodils to Mystic's shamrocks to Middlefield's apples to New Milford's flea market to Woodbury's Earth Day to Cheshire's strawberries to Vernon's sheep, the state comes alive with seasonal hallmarks that are passed over by south-flying tourists. Leave summer attractions for summer and embrace spring attractions in spring in authentic Connecticut.
A spectacular beach race featuring stunning views! The half marathon course runs into the pristine neighborhoods of Watch Hill first before entering Weekapaug and running along the coastline and through the picturesque beach community. The Surftown Half Marathon, presented by Westerly Hospital, is a destination race not to miss, with additional distance options available.
The 2-person relay gives runners a chance to experience part of the awesome Surftown Half course split with a buddy for 5.1 mile and 8 mile legs. Relay participants exchange within walking distance of the pre/post-race area.
The 5K race offers a 3.1 mile beachy run to remember! The flat and fast course travels out-and-back along Winnapaug Pond and the Misquamicut beach community and starts shortly after the 13.1 mile race kicks off.
All participants earn a funky beach-themed finisher medal, a high quality short sleeve technical shirt and a post-race party by the beach with a variety of fresh food and a complimentary ice-cold beer from Grey Sail Brewing (21+ w/ID only).
Give Back: Please help give back to the community that has opened their streets for participants. Donations of nonperishable food will be collected on race day through the HMF Can drive to benefit Jonnycake Center of Westerly. Jonnycake Center provides food, clothing, educational and financial assistance to those in need in the Westerly-Chariho area.
Celebrate your amazing accomplishments together with music, delicious local food, and Grab & Go snacks featuring Bakery On Main granola and LesserEvil popcorn. Registered participants can also enjoy a complimentary ice-cold beer from Grey Sail Brewing. Must be 21+ years of age with proper ID to receive the complimentary beer.
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Libros was about 12 years old when she started running with her dad, who was in the military and ran for his physical training. She ran cross country and track through school and after college began racing half marathons. She worked up to her first full marathon in 2010, training with her sister-in-law to complete 26.2 miles in Burlington, Vermont.
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