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Eversource Hartford Marathon

October 10, 2026 · 8:00 AMHartford, CT, United States

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Race snapshot

Race Day

55°F

43–68°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

394ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +49 ft

Participants

2,000

Medium-sized race

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

Entry

Registration Open

Early Bird Registration

$110

Official Website

Key Dates

1. Personalized Bib Deadline
  Aug 2, 2026
  Last day to register to guarantee a personalized name bib (Sunday, August 2, 2026).
2. 50 Staters Recognition Submission Deadline
  Aug 30, 2026
  Deadline to submit for 50 Staters recognition.
3. Mail My Packet Reservation Deadline
  Sep 6, 2026
  Last day to reserve the Mail My Packet option (Sunday, September 6, 2026).
4. PRE Perks Signup Deadline
  Sep 6, 2026
  Deadline to sign up for PRE Perks.
5. Technical Shirt Size Guarantee Deadline
  Sep 15, 2026
  Register by this date to guarantee a technical race shirt and size.
1. Packet Pickup & Expo - Day 1
  Oct 8, 2026
  Thursday, October 8, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
2. Packet Pickup & Expo - Day 2
  Oct 9, 2026
  Friday, October 9, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (registration, bib and shirt pickup until 9:00 PM).
3. Online Registration Closes
  Oct 9, 2026
  Online registration closes at 5:00 PM. No race-day registration or packet pickup.
4. Race Day
  Oct 10, 2026

Found in

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The Lowdown

The first six miles follow the Hartford riverfront. The course then crosses the Connecticut River on the Founders Bridge into East Hartford and heads out through the farmland of South Windsor. It crosses the same bridge again for the last five miles into downtown. The main climbs come early, around miles 2.5 and 5.5, and the rest of the route stays in the river valley. The course is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier. Abiyot Endale set the men's course record of 2:15:35 in 2012. Ramilia Burangulova set the women's record of 2:33:26 in 2003. The Hartford Marathon Foundation, founded by Beth Shluger, has organized the race since 1994. That year 352 runners took part. Race weekend also includes a half marathon and a 5K, and the foundation reports more than $9.5 million raised for charities through the event. The marathon is run on a Saturday in October.

Course Highlights: 01Bushnell Park – Traditional start/finish area surrounded by trees and monuments where runners gather before and after the race
02Connecticut State Capitol – Iconic gold-domed capitol building runners pass near downtown Hartford
03Hartford Riverfront / Mortensen Riverfront Plaza – Scenic stretch along the Connecticut River with views of the river and bridges
04Founders Bridge / Downtown Bridges – Runners cross or run alongside historic bridges linking downtown to riverfront neighborhoods
05Mark Twain House & Museum – Historic Victorian home of Samuel Clemens located on Main Street, visible from parts of the course
06Wadsworth Atheneum & Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts – Prominent cultural institutions on the downtown route that mark the urban section of the marathon
Also on this race weekend: 5K · Half marathon
Time Limit: 6 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry
Relay/Team Registration
Group/Corporate Entry
On-site Registration (limited)
Tour Operator
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older on race day to register for the full marathon
Runners under 18 are not eligible for the marathon but may enter shorter festival events per individual event rules
All participants must complete online registration and accept the event waiver
Participants must wear their official race bib visibly on the front during the race
No unauthorized relay teams; marathon entries must be completed by a single runner
Medical clearance recommended for runners with pre-existing health conditions; participants should consult a physician if unsure
Race entry is non-transferable and non-refundable unless race organizers cancel the event
All competitors must follow race officials' directions and USATF/organizer safety rules; failure to comply may result in disqualification
Wheelchair and handcycle athletes should contact race organizers in advance for registration and start-line assignment
Participants should not use headphones that prevent hearing race officials; local traffic laws and course marshals must be obeyed
Required Documents: Valid government-issued photo ID
Signed race waiver (electronic or paper)
Emergency contact and medical information
Proof of age (if requesting age-group verification)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Cancellation Policy
No standard refunds: Entry fees are non-refundable unless Refundable Registration protection (16% extra fee) was purchased at signup or within 5 days after; covers injury, illness, COVID-19, jury duty, etc., but excludes event cancellation by organizers.
Deferral option: Participants unable to attend can defer to the next year's event instead of canceling.
Transfers allowed: Bib transfers permitted up to 7 days before the event; illegal transfers result in removal and future bans.
Event cancellation by HMF: If organizers cancel, participants shift to a virtual option with refund of price difference, or other registration choices.
Virtual events: No refunds or deferrals for virtual races.

01: The course is USATF-certified and routinely serves as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, with a fast, mostly downhill profile in the second half along the Connecticut River.
02: Runners pass Hartford landmarks including Bushnell Park, the Connecticut State Capitol, the Old State House, and long waterfront stretches with city skyline views.
03: Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical long-sleeve race shirt, and the post-race festival includes food, hydration, and a beer garden for eligible participants.
04: Race weekend features a race expo with packet pickup, a family-friendly kids' run, and half-marathon/relay options, plus local partner events such as a pre-race pasta dinner and clinics.
05: Aid stations are placed approximately every 1.5–2 miles with water and sports drink, and downtown Hartford offers metered parking and designated spectator zones near the start/finish for easy viewing.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, moderate weather Difficulty Analyzer394ft gain, 55°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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