Hartford Marathon

Published October 10, 2015

#41 done – next weekend: Baltimore

Having lived in Connecticut for 9 years, two things I remembered ‘bout the Hartford Marathon: (1) scenic Bushnell Park finish & (2) it always, always rains – cold, heavy rain…not just a sprinkle.

Fast forward to 2015 & my first Hartford Marathon – woke Saturday to SUNSHINE & cool morning temps. FAAANNNTASTIC!

8am start — lined up across from the Capitol dome (7th dome on my journey).

Started out fast, crossed the Connecticut River at mile 4 into East Hartford, then out to South Windsor on Highway 5 just past the half. Least scenic portion of today’s run, 10 miles of out-n-back highway (mentally zoned out, time suffered)…returned to East Hartford at mile 23. Back over the river, climbed up Hartford’s historic Founders Bridge at mile 25 before re-circling downtown.

Whole lotta memories. Worked downtown at Deloitte & Touché (CPA firm) just outta college; Hartford Whalers (NHL) played across the street. 100 years ago, never pictured myself finishing a marathon. Running down Pearl, passing the City Place II Building, remembered that first ‘real’ job.

2 long blocks more, left on Trinity, then crossed under Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch into Bushnell Park. Not my strongest finish but 41^st state complete.

K R Haga at Eversource Hartford Marathon 2015 (short complimentary race video)

one race, 2 medals – Hartford Marathon & the New England Double (completed Vermont & CT same year)
Marathon Maniac family — TITANIUM, baby — 30 marathons, 30 states, in 365 days! WOW! WOW! WOW!