Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
If you're like me and you're hellbent on getting to Boston, then this is one of the best marathons for it. Because it's in mid October, it's very early in a "Boston Marathon Qualification Cycle" (which spans from September to September of the following year). You can run the Hartford Marathon and, depending on how well you did, you can spend the next 9 or 10 months training for another marathon later in the qualification cycle with some valuable lessons learned, adjustments made to training, etc., to make the cut for Boston.
Also, mid October usually means cool running weather, which is a plus. The course is mostly flat from the halfway point until the last mile, and has a fairly high rate of BQers (13%). Hartford has a pretty cool "big city" feel, and this marathon is THE running event in the state of Connecticut. Lots of people turn out and help make it special by cheering on the runners.
Though it's a small touch, one of my favorite things about the race is the bib pickup at the XL Center (where the Hartford Wolfpack hockey team plays). They had big displays with the photos of the best local runners that were competing, and also large displays with the bibs of the previous years winners. It really did make me feel like I was participating in a major competition.
If you're trying to get a sub 3 hour marathon and are relying on a 3 hour pacer group, you may be out of luck. I didn't see a 3 hour pacer group, which is a bummer. Because the half marathon and the marathon start at the same time, your best bet is to run with the 90 minute half marathon pacer group until the race splits them off.
Get to the Capitol 1 hour early. Get some stretches in. Take some selfies.
I liked the atmosphere and start and finish across the street from our hotel "The Capital hotel". The course was fairly flat. Everything was close to downtown and our hotel. I'm one of those runners that really doesn't take in the scenery. I'm more focused on time and maybe the runners in front of me. Nice medal good expo.
Stay at The Capital hotel. Beautiful fall colours.
Great organization - the event draws a large number of runners and spectators and the start/finish area is beautiful making for a great atmosphere. Time of year is great, usually 50s. Full course is OK - its changed recently so it depends on what it will be in the future but the run through West Hartford is enjoyable given crowd support. Hills are manageable. The flat portion through East Hartford/South Windsor has much less turnout but is fairly flat. Looping back on Main St in South Windsor isnt great but it's fine and at least you get "double" the crowd support.
Arrive early - parking and bathrooms get busy.
This is a gem of a race. It's incredibly well-organized with a decent course - well, actually it's like 3 courses. The first 8 miles or so are a rolling loop through Hartford and East Hartford with a dizzying array of turns, the next 16 are an out and back which feature a straight 9 miles (4.5 out and 4.5 back) through South Windsor, followed by a 2.2 mile jaunt back into Hartford for the finish (which includes a third of a mile climb, not steep, but definitely a climb, up a bridge.
The 9-mile out and back looked tedious on course videos posted on YouTube, but the folks in South Windsor turned out in force for the race. You want to talk about good spectator support! This actually turned out to be the most exciting part of the race.
The finish area in Bushnell Park was akin to a town festival. There were a lot of exhibitors, food, a beer garden, bands, massage tents, etc.
The course rolls. Nothing too extreme, but some of the uphills in the first 10K are up to a quarter mile long, so be a bit cautious early on. The out and back portion is pretty fast.
Arrive early. I got to my parking lot, which was a few blocks from the start, 70 minutes before the race. By the time I got my gear checked, the lines for the porta-potties were long. Luckily, I got to the start five minutes before the gun went off - and the lines for the porta-potties were still astronomically long.
Ok, there's lot to like about this race! First, it's on a Saturday which is unique and great for the non-running spouse if you're from out of town because you'll likely do more visiting if the marathon past (Saturday morning) than if it's coming up (Sunday morning) during the weekend. Also, it's got that "Big City Feel" to it but yet you can get a hotel room at a half decent price withing walking distance to the start line (try that in Boston or New York). Will return!
The thing that stands out most for me about this marathon is the volunteers! They were plenty and awesome! From the water stations to the volunteers on bikes, they were the best! The course was beautiful, I thought, with some water, some green, and some lovely homes to look at while we were running. I'm glad I chose this race for my Connecticut marathon!
It's a bit hilly but just enough to not get bored.
They did not mention anywhere on their website that they had race shuttles. We only discovered it when we were waiting outside our hotel for our Uber! We stayed across the river in East Hartford and would have been able to walk to more places had we stayed closer to the start.
While very much a "minor" marathon in the shadow of the upcoming NY Marathon, Hartford pulls out all the stops to make you feel like you're an important part of a race with a proud 25-year tradition. From bib pick-up to finish line it was organized, well-staffed and simply fun. A great run, really.
It's a fast course, so don't overrun the first few miles. Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.
Great small city race. Good fans, great post race food and course music.. Easy to get to-can walk to hotel, start line, parking.
Well organized. Good post race finish area (one of the best I have seen). Flat, good markings.
Get to parking areas early and then relax.
Great race on a relatively flat course, good race support and nice scenery.
If you have someone for race support have them stand at mile 12, once you pass they can walk across the street to meet you at mile 22. They'll be able to walk to mile 12 before you arrive and walk back from mile 22 to the finish line before you get back.
We arrived from the east at 7:00 AM and didn't encounter any traffic.
Great scenery, organization, food and BEER!!!
Excellent race from soup to nuts. Everyone and everything was awesome. I would do it again. Friendly, fun, and professional.
easy to get to. Easy to do.
Very well organized. Option to have bib, shirt, and bag for checking clothes on race day sent to you in advance for nominal fee. Great food and drink at finish. Good Gatorade, water, and Gu service on route. A great value for the $. Also nice that it's on the holiday weekend, so you have more time to travel and recover, even if getting there on Friday from anywhere in the tri- state area will test your patience.
Mostly flat. Ramps and bridges are the only real hills. Most hotels offer late checkout, so you can grab a shower after the race without staying an extra day. Don't wait too late to check bag. There was a huge bottleneck during the last 30-40 minutes before the start. The half and full marathons start together and split after a few miles. Be careful not to get caught on the wrong side of the street at the split. I almost got stuck on the half marathon side.
Lots of parking right near the start. Some is free. Most is not. Expect to pay $10 for the open lots nearest the start. Some service stations at same location also offer $10 parking. City Steam brewery was a post- race hit. Kids liked the science vented. Bring your bib for a discount.