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Hartford Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Hartford, CT, USA
- Race Date: 10/10/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Hartford Marathon Description
The Hartford Marathon starts at the Connecticut State Capitol and finishes under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park, tracing a Boston-qualifying, mostly-loop course through downtown Hartford, West Hartford, Elizabeth Park, and the Connecticut River valley each October. The only real hills come early, around miles 2.5 and 5.5, with the rest of the route settling into fast, largely flat terrain through East Hartford and South Windsor. A steadily growing field and strong regional support make this a favorite New England fall classic. Pace groups help runners of every level chase a fast finish.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Hartford Marathon Additional Details:
Mile 22 brings a genuine crowd-pleaser: a candy table stocked with Three Musketeers bars, Skittles, and Swedish Fish, exactly the kind of sugar rush marathoners crave late in the race. The finisher medal itself gets consistent praise, its design renders the Capitol and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch with a stained-glass look that reviewers call one of the best in their collection. Bushnell Park’s finish area leans into its own charm too, complete with a working antique carousel, a live band, and a beer garden, turning the finish into a proper park festival rather than a quick pass-through. Aid stations keep water, Gatorade, and Gu flowing throughout, backed by some of the most encouraging crowd support in New England.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours (full), 3 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 3,300 to 3,500
Marathon: 1,900 to 2,000
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 754 ft
Elevation Loss: 754 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 48°F
- High: 63°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Full Marathon Training Plan
Structured plans for every experience level, from your first 26.2 to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Hartford, CT, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
Mark Twain House & Museum
Tour the 25-room Mark Twain House, where the author wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and other classics — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Arts & Culture
Wadsworth Atheneum
See more than 50,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years at the Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest continuously operated public art museum in the country — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Elizabeth Park
Stroll the rose gardens of Elizabeth Park, host to workshops, concerts, and the Pond House Café year-round — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Outdoors & Trails
Riverside Park
Walk or jog the wooded trails of Riverside Park along the Connecticut River, with opportunities for fishing and boating — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Sports & Entertainment
Xfinity Theatre
Catch a concert at Xfinity Theatre, one of the largest amphitheaters in the country with room for 30,000 fans — a relaxed, seated way to spend an evening after race day.
Landmark
Bushnell Park
Relax in Bushnell Park, central Hartford’s most popular green space, home to a historic carousel and seasonal events — an easy, flat, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Hartford Marathon
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