Connecticut may be small, but it plays with the big kids when it comes to marathons. The Constitution State is home to some of the nations best marathons. It’s old time sea ports and whale exhibits will make for great scenery while you run the 26.1 through this great state.
Nutmeg State Marathon – Hartford
The Nutmeg State Marathon is part of The New England Challenge which includes 5 marathons in 5 states within 5 days. The races in this challenge only hold about 300 people so you’ll have to register quick if you want a spot. The staff for this race is great and will cheer you on by name. This is a very low key, low stress race in the springtime that will allow you to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Claim your spot here.
The Course
This marathon is held at Goodwin Park Golf and is a chip timed 12 lap race. Since the race circles the golf course 12 times, you will find yourself climbing the same hill 12 times at the beginning/end of the race. The entire race, with the exception of a half of a mile of dirt road, is asphalt. You’ll have to forgive me for the poor quality course map below, but that is all they had!
Credit: New England Challenge
“I needed CT and thought it would be boring to do 12 plus loops, but had a great time instead! The course was a nice, green loop with trees around a golf course, and at the end of every 2 mile loop, there was lots of food, drink, support, and friendly interaction. I had an injury so it was great to run past my car for whatever I needed every loop. I had such a good time, I thought it was very well organized.” – Wylie, Marathonguide.com
“This is a race draws the Ultra crowd because it is 1 in a series of 5 marathons in 5 days. In 2015 it was about 100 runners in a quiet park outside Hartford, CT. It is a nice, quiet, well supported event with a nice, supportive staff. It is a loop race on a 2.1 mile paved loop so it’s excellent for pacing practice. There is one 90 foot, half mile hill in the loop that you climb 12 times.” – H.B., Marathonguide.com
Savin’ Rock Marathon – West Haven
Once called the Sharks Shoreline Marathon, it was renamed the Savin’ Rock Marathon in 2011. The race features great post-race food, a goodie bag, tech shirt, custom finisher’s medals, and award medals. Around 200 to 300 people compete in the marathon each year. Get registered here.
The Course
This marathon includes two full loops of the course and approximately ⅓ of the race takes place along the Long Island Sound. Aid stations come up every two miles starting at the first two and a half miles. The race starts at sea level and climbs and falls to reach a max elevation of 177 feet.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“This race was a fantastic experience. I did this race last year too in the snow. The organizers care about every detail from the 20 police on the course to the hundreds of volunteers at the aid stations with GU, Gatorade and water. Portolets every 6 miles. The course has hills in the middle but a smart runner can handle it. Awesome shirts, awards, medals. Food and a nice indoor spot was a nice adder. See you next year!” – K.D., marathonguide.com
“Good things come in small packages. As a veteran of 168 marathons I was very pleasantly surprised by this new marathon. Despite the snow I found the course to be beautiful. If the weather were better there would have been more spectators. It was very well organized with a personal touch. I spoke to Jennifer the directors wife who was very pleasant, friendly and engaging and seemed to have played a large part in the race organization. The water stops were plentiful with no paucity of water, Gu and Gatorade, not to mention friendly and welcoming volunteers. It was nice to park so close to the start and finish. Oh, ya, free massage before the race added a spark and was appreciated!! No need for big expo, they are a waste of money anyway. In short I will think about returning to Savin Rock next year, when hopefully spring will come on time.” – Arnie James, marathonguide.com
Hartford Marathon
According to the race website, the Hartford Marathon’s most important race is the rave against hunger. They ask that when you set up for this race that you bring some nonperishable food items to give to Foodshare of Greater Hartford. This marathon is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide health and fitness opportunities to the community and to date has collected over $5 million for charity.
The Course
The course starts at 103 feet and drops to 38 feet in the first mile. It then climbs over 110 feet within the next half a mile. Between the first two miles and the finish, there are slight hills and dips, but there is a climb of around 120 feet close at mile 25 that takes place within a third of a mile. The finish line is set under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“This was my 36th marathon and totally one of my favorites. It was the perfect mix of city and rural environments, with a bonus of a few miles along the river, all of it beautiful! Expo was nice-sized and well-organized; we were totally spoiled with aid stations every mile; long-sleeved tech shirt was great; medal was great; post-race food wonderful; race day organization problem-free. On top of everything else, the course was very pleasant… easy to run a good time without having trashed legs the next day. This was my Connecticut marathon and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!” – C.B., Marathonguide.com
“I ran (and loved) this marathon in 2012 and 2015. I got PR’s both years. The marathon was well organized. Everything ran smoothly. Aid stations were well stocked and fully staffed. There were many spectators out on the course. A lot of the course was fairly flat and none of the hills on the course were particularly big. There were musicians in a number of locations on the course. At the finish, runners were given reusable water bottles, goody bags, and an attractive medal.” – J.D., Marathonguide.com
Roxbury Marathon
This is truly a runner’s race. If you love to run and want to experience a chilly (this race is held in December) Connecticut race to qualify for the Boston Marathon, then you may want to venture to Roxbury. If you love the fanfare, the bling, and the big expos, pass this one by. Roxbury is a small race with only around 100 runners participating and the entry fee ranges between $10 and $15 so you are certain to get your money’s worth! Check it out here.
The Course
The course features a 4.9 mile loop at the start and is followed up by a 3.5 mile loop that is completed five times. The course has quite a few hills and has a tendency to be a bit sloppy, muddy, and cold because this race is held in December! The course is mostly paved and has a total elevation gain of 800 feet.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“I traveled from NY to Roxbury, Connecticut for this marathon. Great race event and a great tough course for the hard core runners. I love the no chip timing, no shirt, and no expo. Just gun time on a certified course which is also a Boston qualifier. If you’re looking to BQ this course is not the one. However you can still BQ. Out of over 100 runners that started the race only 11 BQ. The organization is top notch and put up a great marathon course. For 15 bucks entry you will get more than any marathon race that one pays for $100 bucks. Top 5 get awards and rest finishers gets lanyard with the marathon logo instead of medals. Again this is a hidden Gem!” – Charles West, marathonguide.com
“The Roxbury marathon is organized by a group of runners who know what makes a good run. This race is really about the run and no need for all the hoopla. You can park right at the start, pay $10, get a number and line up. The course support was great. I was apprehensive about the 5 loops but in the end it really broke down nicely by knowing what spectators/course officials were where. No mile markers anywhere. Really refreshing when you just want to go out and run 26.2 miles. Those folks who want to know their pace bring the fancy watches. Scenery was spectacular and the course had a nice mix of paved and dirt. It was not flat but the hills were not as steep as expected. At the finish there was hot soup, hot drinks, a fire in the fire place, and homemade cookies!” – S.O., marathonguide.com