ING Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Vicky V.
Washington, DC

  (10-20-2010)

"This is my 3rd marathon (Rock n'Roll in Nashville, and small one in Potomac, MD) and it was fantastic. The organizers did a fantastic job. It's definitely smaller than some of the other ones, but because they had the funding of ING, it was perfectly executed. The Expo was nice but small, and as silly as it sounds, I love the shirts!

The race itself was great...I hadn't trained the way I would have liked, so I anticipated running slower than I was used to, plus I planned on doing the whole thing in my Vibram Biklas, which was a scary thought. The first 5 miles had a few hills, nothing unmanageable, even with my lack of training. The first 10 miles were gorgeous and scenic, and then it got SO BORING. From mile 11 - 22ish, we were on a straight road through a neighborhood, so I really depended on my iPod to get me through.

Water and Gatorade was readily available, every mile which was perfect. There were no GU stations, however medics were biking everywhere handing them out. Luckily, I brought my own so I didn't have to compete for those who didn't.

The last mile was over a bridge, which was an incline. I knew in advance this was coming, and I was a little nervous, however when I got to it, it just gave me the power I needed to push through and sprint the last mile.

The finish line was amazing, there was an emcee announcing everyone as they crossed, and volunteers with medals, space blankets, water, and bananas. They had a tent with lots of food and beer which was fun, and massages if you could stand the wait.

Turns out, I got a PR! All in all, a great race! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Keith A.
Enfield, CT

  (11-03-2009)

"The Hartford Marathon is one of the best marathons to run as a Boston qualifier. I have run 14 different marathons including Boston and this is the one to use as a qualifier. It is mostly flat and they provides ample drinks and support. A few hills at the end will test your endurance but I give it 5 stars.
I personally had a great 2009 with my 4th best time out of 23 marathons. In 2005 I qualified for the first time for Boston with my Hartford time. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Erin N.
Farmington, CT

  (10-10-2009)

"You can't beat Fall in New England!

This course is mostly flat, a couple slow gradual hills and one steep small one. Yet every hill seems like its a mountain when you're more than half-way into a half-marathon! There are a lot of turns on this course and I had no idea what direction I was running in for the majority of the time. Pretty diverse terrain, road, highway, river path, crossing the railroad tracks...

I felt like the water stations weren't where they said they would be.

The crowds present were really great (but concentrated), there are long stretches without any people on the course at all.

Whole Foods provided the best freaking post race food I have ever had, and will likely ever have. Ever.

Nice bling at the end. T-shirt was lame cotton. Why can't they give up technical Tees for the money we're fronting?

This race is very green. Recycling has a big emphasis. At the finish there are snaking water fountains instead of bottled water. You get a "Finisher" water bottle at the end which you have to fill up yourself from water truck machine thing (like for natural disasters?). I've never seen this before, and although it was mildly annoying to wait in line to fill your water bottle, kudos!, total kudos for reducing our carbon footprint!

I think this would be a great Half-Marathon for a first-timer, and a good potential PR course for anybody.

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

alan m.
Branford, CT

  (08-22-2009)

"I've run this race three or four times, and there have been some course changes over the year. Also, this review is actually for 2007, not 2008.

The current course is a pretty decent course, and fairly scenic- especially the middle miles and towards the end of the race where you get to run down by the river.

The run has a long out and back portion in the middle miles. There are some short inclines in this section of the course, but it never gets significant.

Wind can be a factor on the course, as you\'re often running on wide, exposed streets.

The one thing I did not understand about the race in 2008 was that at about 25 miles, they had you run over a railroad track. It was not covered- this may have changed- but asking people to cross a train track with dead legs in practically the last mile of the race seemed like an odd thing.

Fall marathons are great, the temperature is usually right, the trees are changing. This course has a lot of that. It also has some highway off-ramps and city streets.

But who cares, you\'re running a marathon, right ?

The finish is a nice touch and you come around the basin of the park, up a very manageable upgrade, and then around to finish under a great big arch and get your medal.

The race has been drawing a strong and sizable field and no matter what your pace is you\'ll have other people to run with the whole way.

The on the course support is good, and in many places on the course you have crowds. Not everywhere, but it\'s more than enough to keep you going.

You should be able to run a fast time here."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2008

Kim .
Little Ferry, NJ

  (07-07-2009)

"Excellent course with a few moderate hills. I posted my fastest half time here. There is alot of on-course entertainment, plenty of aid stations, the course is also very pleasant aesthetically. The post-race party was also alot of fun, there were tons of venders, a rock wall, excellent food, beer. I highly recommend this race for first timers and also for those looking for a personal best."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008