Hartford, CT Oct 11, 2025
5:33:59 – 1792/1914 Overall – 5/6 in 75-79
I flew into Hartford on Thursday (10/9/25) for the marathon on Saturday but the flight was via Chicago so I saw a lot of Chicago marathon runners including CJ Albertson and others from Bakersfield and Atascadero. On Friday I toured Mark Twain's house where he wrote most of his books in the 1890s. There are some photos of his sayings. One that seems to always be true: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” The state capitol was just across the stree from my hotel and I got some great views of it each day from my window. I took a self-guided tour of it and learned a lot of interesting things about CT. There was a water fountain in it where they used to get water for their horses and a tree with a cannon ball from the Battle of Chicamauga. Right next to the capitol was the staging area for the marathon so I got to take a look at it.
This was
the 31st running of the Hartford Marathon and these folks really have it down
pat on doing everything right to benefit the runners. My hotel was only a 1/4
mile from the start so I could walk there. When I got there, it was easy to
find the start/finish lines. I wasn't sure where the gear check was, but there
was a guy with a sign saying "Ask Me" and I was quickly directed the
right way. Near the start was something else that I appreciate: a hydration
station so runners could get that last drink of water. The corrals were easy to
get to and even though I was near the back, it took only a couple minutes for
me to get to the start.
Even the
day was perfect running weather with temps in mid 50s and clouds most of the
race with some light, cooling breezes at times. The course has a lot of rolling
hills which aren't steep or long so they add variety to the course. The aid
stations had enthusiastic volunteers and there were lots of spectators and
bands along the way. Although the number of spectators dropped off in the
second half (the half-marathoners split off), there were enough to help keep me
motivated.
My legs
felt good and I felt good in the first half and went through half at about
2:37, but about mile 15, I just didn't feel right. So, I went from running 3:30
and walking :30 to 2:00/:30. The last 8 miles were just powering through at
1:00/:30. My hips ached, I had a cramp developing in my hamstring, and I had
wooziness whenever I switched to walking which made me want to be careful. (I
have a stent and take blood pressure medicine.) The second half wasn't what I
hoped for but I did power through the pain and get another marathon in the
books.
I would
highly recommend the Hartford Marathon. The course was interesting with the
fall colors in the leaves on the trees. Part of it goes through downtown
including going by my hotel (tempting...) and part goes out in the countryside
with rivers and meadows and even a rose garden park. There was even a bigger
than life Mark Twain on stilts near by the Twain House I'd toured the day
before.
This
was Marathon #191; 46 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.
Next marathon possibilities: Spring 2026: Burlington, VT, Lincoln,
NE
Pictures with captions can be seen on my 2 Facebook posts.
Or go to: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1845881261032217
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