Hartford Marathon Foundation Hosts New Race Event in Rhode Island
Surftown Half Marathon to make inaugural run along scenic oceanfront
Posted Monday, 8 August, 2011
August 2011, Glastonbury, CT – The Hartford Marathon Foundation is expanding its award-winning lineup of race events beyond Connecticut for the first time with the addition of the new Surftown Half Marathon on Sunday, September 18th. The 13.1 mile course loop will start and finish at Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island, following along scenic oceanfront, past the rocky beaches of Weekapaug and through the beautiful village of Watch Hill.
Lively music along the course, great post race food and beach-side festivities are just a taste of what participants and spectators will experience on race day. Establishing the Surftown Half Marathon marks the first time the Hartford Marathon Foundation has hosted a race outside Connecticut. Race organizers expect 700 runners for this inaugural run with a goal to make the event annual and host up to 2,000 by its third year.
“The Surftown Half Marathon is a great addition to our 2011 season; the beautiful Rhode Island oceanfront and mostly flat course will delight athletes of all levels,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. “I have run and biked in this area for years and have always wanted to bring an oceanfront experience to our participants. We’re excited to be putting our stamp in Rhode Island and hope to continue this new race for many years to come.”
The Foundation is looking forward to partnering with local Rhode Island organizations. A portion of each race entry will benefit the Chariho-Westerly Animal Rescue League, a non-profit charitable organization dedicating to aiding animals in distress, and volunteers from the League will be on site to provide animal rescue information. Additionally, all registered Surftown runners will receive a free ticket to the Misquamicut Business Association’s Fall Festival. The festival is on the grounds of Misquamicut State Beach and includes, a petting zoo, food festival, amusements and more.
The Hartford Marathon Foundation has been coordinating multi-sport events for the past 18 years in the state of Connecticut. The Foundation’s signature event, the ING Hartford Marathon, offer a full marathon, half marathon and 5K for adults and multiple running events for kids of all ages. The 18th annual ING Hartford Marathon is being held Saturday, October 15, 2011 and over 14,000 athletes are expected.
Founded in 1994, the Hartford Marathon Foundation was created to bring large-scale athletic events to the city of Hartford and state of Connecticut. Now in its 18th year, the Foundation organizes more than 50 runs, triathlons and duathlons and hosts training programs for adults and children. Annually, more than 35,000 athletes and 60,000 spectators participate in Foundation events. HMF has been awarded numerous accolades for their eco-friendly initiatives and commitment to organizing programs that promote health, fitness and enjoyment for all participants and benefits to local communities.
