APR-B-8
THE AETNA HARTFORD MARATHON ON OCTOBER 13,
THE FALL FOLIAGE OF NEW ENGLAND
AND THE LAST OF THE FIFTY STATES FOR JANET NEWBURG,
AND A RUN WITH LEE DUTTON AND FRIENDS
Marathon Details
Aetna US Healthcare Hartford Marathon
Hartford, CT USA
October 13, 2001
Contact Information
Name: Beth Shluger
Address: Hartford Marathon
119 Hebron Avenue
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone Number: (860) 652-8866
Fax Number: (860) 652-8145
Email: eatnrun@erols.com
Official Race Website: http://www.hartfordmarathon.com
Runner Comments:
I have run this marathon, and I want to add my comments about it.
Average Ratings: Course - Organization - Fans -
Most scenic course run (2000)
A runner from Tampa, FL (3/14/01)
This was the most scenic course I have run. I have run Portland,OR;
Seattle,WA; Boise,ID; San Diego, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA;
Myrtle Beach, SC; Camp Lejeune, NC. This race was very organized and the people
were very friendly. The last 5-6 miles are rolling hills which
made for a hard finish. I made it over the finish line and they also said to
the crowd that it was my birthday and wished me a happy birthday.
I was really impressed with this race all the way around. I
am thinking of running this one again. Great organization, improving course
(General Comments)
A runner from Glastonbury, CT, USA (2/26/01)
Ran this in 1998 and 1999. The course was improved in 1999.
Organizers and volunteers did a wonderful job and this looks
like a race that could easily handle many more runners. I found the course had
neither the scenery of running in the country nor the excitement
of running in the city. It is, however as flat as possible for the area for
the first 20 miles, and the traffic control is excellent.
Awesome Autumn Color, Nice Urban/Rural Mix (2000)
Gary Bruland, bruland@ismi.net from
Howell, Michigan (2/9/01)
Of the 15 different marathons I've run, Hartford rates at the very top because
of beautiful New England fall foliage. Beyond the breath-taking
scenery, you'll find excellent volunteers and a very runner-friendly organization.
Begin with Gerry Pierson's helpful website, add the most incredible
full-course pre-race pasta dinner at Aetna HQ included in the modest $35
marathon fee, a fine runner expo with great speakers, a neat start/finish
setting in Bushnell Park, an attractive shirt, and an outstanding
finisher's medal. There are well-organized pace groups for those interested,
a free post-race massage and a free post-race picnic in the
park. Hartford is a good PR race. Run it! Good course
and excellent organization (General Comments)
Ryan O'Neil (rnkoneil@erols.TAKETHISOUT.com
from Glastonbury, CT (11/17/00)
I ran this in 2000 and it was my first marathon. The part of the course that
is in South Windsor (about ten miles or so) is terrific, through
streets lined will fall foliage and farms. Water stops every
mile, which also had Ultima, for better or worse. The food at the end was good.
I finished in 5:23 and there was still plenty of yogurt, chili,
baked potatoes, and apples. The volunteers were great, they were really pulling
for all of the runners. There's a hill at in between mile
20 and 21, but you get to coast down that same hile at mile 25, which was a
god send at that point. I haven't done any other marathons,
but I have done plenty of other road races, and this was by far
the nicest t-shirt I've received. My first marathon
(2000)
A runner from Manchester, CT (11/7/00)
And I loved it. The end of the course has a few too many rolling hills, but
the finish in the park with the arch and the state capitol
is very dramatic. Crowd support fair to middling most of the way and excellent
at the start, 20-mile mark and finish. Volunteer support is
phenomenal. A great race day!