Connecticut is conservative, even a little prim, but it’s also a hospitable and democratic US state. It fascinates with an incredible combination of magnificent colonial architecture and beautiful nature. Almost all cities and buildings can boast of their exciting history and traditions in Connecticut. And residents are very proud of the fact that Connecticut, more often than other American states, was and still remains a pioneer or creator of something new – from the cotton gin to the nuclear submarine.
Often, the views from the car window, when traveling across the state, resemble landscape postcards, and the stories told by guides or local residents are like fairy tales or historical treatises. But the best opportunity to enjoy the scenery is to take part in races in Connecticut. We’ve listed our favorites by category below.
5k Races in CT
1. Amber Room Run from the Sun 5K
Aug 18, 2022 – Thursday
5K run
Virtual Option
Danbury, CT
The Amber Room Run from the Sun 5K will be held on August 18, 2022. After the run will be a great party and awards. You can enjoy refreshments, tasty beer, live music, and relax at the outdoor barbecue.
All proceeds will benefit Ann’s Place cancer support services which help to provide services FREE of charge.
2. Summer Cross Country Series
Aug 23, 2022 – Tuesday
5K trail run
Aug 30, 2022 – Tuesday
5K trail run
New Canaan, CT
The Summer Cross Country Series will be held on August 23, 30, 2022, at 7 pm. It offers fun races through the fields and trails of New Canaan’s Waveny Park.
The top female and male runners and top finishers in the 18 & under and 40 & over divisions will receive race T-shirts.
3. Housatonic River Brewing 5K
Aug 27, 2022 – Saturday
5K trail run | relay | 1M novelty run
New Milford, CT
The Housatonic River Brewing 5K will be held on August 27, 2022, at the Housatonic River Brewing Company in New Milford, CT. It is one of the most interesting 5ks in CT.
The event has an early evening start time and starts and finishes on the grounds of the brewery.
The registration fee is $30 before August 20th and $35 after. All runners 21 and over will get one free beer ticket with their registration.
4. IOL Purple Light Project 5K
Aug 27, 2022 – Saturday
5K run
Hartford, CT
The IOL Purple Light Project 5K will be held on August 27, 2022. The Project (PLP) was founded in 2020 to bring support to behavioral health emergency department patients. All proceeds will benefit this cause.
The run starts at IOL Campus at 200 Retreat Ave. Hartford, CT 06114 at 9.30 am.
Top male and female finishers in the following age groups: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-45, 46-59, 60-69 & 70 & up will get awards.
The race is timed and scored by The EMPIRE Timing Co.
10k Races in CT
5. BE HAPPY 5K/10K
Aug 28, 2022 – Sunday
10K, 5K run | kids run
Virtual Option
Windsor, CT
The BE HAPPY 5K/10K will be held on August 28, 2022, at 8 am. The course starts with a double loop through the development at the Villages at Poquonock before turning left onto the beautiful streets of the scenic town.
The 10K runners will run through the intersection, following Rainbow Road through the hills, then turning back down Rainbow Rd to the Villages for the final half loop at the community clubhouse!
Courses are USATF certified. This will be one of your favorite Connecticut road races.
6. Suffield Parks and Recreation Road Race
Sep 10, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run | kids run
Hartford County
The Suffield Parks and Recreation Road Race will be held on September 10, 2022. The spectacular 5k & 10k race, hosted by PeoplesBank, follows Suffield’s historic Main Street through scenic rolling farms and residential areas.
There also will be 2.5k, and a Kids Run before the 10k. You can expect cash prizes, music, and a great family-friendly atmosphere.
7. River Run
Sep 24, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run | kids run
Simsbury, CT
The River Run will be held on September 24, 2022, at 10 am in scenic Simsbury, Connecticut. It will have a USATF-certified 5k and 10k road race and a kid’s run.
This is a fast, flat course on smooth roads that border parks, Farmington River, bucolic farms, and beautiful homes.
Half Marathons in Connecticut
8. Gulf Beach Half Marathon
Sep 10, 2022 – Saturday
13.1M run
Milford, CT
The Gulf Beach Half Marathon will be held on September 10, 2022, at 7 am. You will run along the scenic beaches of Milford with the Silver Sands State Park Boardwalk.
It is the flattest and most scenic Half Marathon in CT, and the course is USATF Certified (#CT19028JHP).
There will be aid stations at miles 2.75, 4.75, 6.75, 8.75 & 10.75, stocked with water and Gatorade.
9. Golden Lights Half Marathon – Greenwich
Sep 25, 2022 – Sunday
13.1M, 5K run
Greenwich, CT
The Golden Lights Half Marathon – Greenwich will be held on September 25, 2022, hosted by The Golden Lights Foundation. The half-marathon will start at 7:30 am, and the 5K begins after. The goal is to benefit pediatric cancer research.
The course starts and finishes in the scenic and historic Greenwich Point (Tod’s Point) Park in Greenwich, CT. The run goes through the neighborhoods of Old Greenwich and Riverside before concluding in the park across the water’s edge.
The Golden Lights Half-Marathon is a certified USATF course, perfect for qualifying for the NYC Marathon.
10. SoNo Half Marathon
Oct 2, 2022 – Sunday
13.1M, 5K run | kids run
Norwalk, CT
The 8th annual SoNo Half Marathon | 5K & Kids Fun Run will be held at Veterans Park on October 2nd, 2022.
You will love the unique and extraordinary course through historic South Norwalk, along scenic coastlines, down beautiful tree-lined streets, and past many of Norwalk’s notable attractions.
The half marathon begins at 8:30 am, followed immediately by the 5K race. The Kids Fun Run starts at 11:00 am.
All runners will receive a high-quality race T-shirt, headwear, FREE race photos, and a finisher’s medal. There will be a post-race party, where you can enjoy free beer, Dave’s Mobile Planet Pizza, Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream, and much more. It is considered to be one of the best Half Marathons in CT.
Connecticut Marathons
11. Hartford Marathon
Hartford, CT
City Location
Hartford County
Oct 8, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M, 5K run | 26.2M relay | kids run
The Hartford Marathon will be held on October 8, 2022, and is a Boston Qualifier. You will love the finish line location under the Arch.
The 26.2-mile marathon route begins in front of the majestic Capitol in Hartford, going through East Hartford, with views of the city and scenic Connecticut River. Athletes then run into the rural and picturesque town of South Windsor, where they will see some of the charms of New England, and run back to Hartford to the finish line at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park.
12. Tackle the Trail
Oct 15, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M trail run | 26.2M relay
start Windham, CT
finish Putnam, CT
The Tackle the Trail will be held on October 15, 2022, and it is a fun race for individuals and up to 5-person relay teams. It is a point-to-point course.
You will love nature with cheerful volunteers at 4 relay stations. Individual athletes can choose to run the marathon or half-marathon course.
You will get fabulous prizes and the satisfaction of knowing that proceeds will help local students attend Quinebaug Valley Community College!
13. Roxbury Marathon
Nov 12, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M run
Roxbury, CT
The Roxbury Marathon will be held on November 12, 2022, and is a Boston Qualifier. It is part of the Roxbury Races annual series and is a hilly, no-frills foot race run over paved and dirt roads in rural Roxbury, Connecticut.
The course starts at Hurlburt Park and heads east on Apple Lane before zig-zagging down South Street, Wellers Bridge Road, Route 67, Route 199, and Judds Bridge Road. After crossing “Judds Bridge,” you turn around at the cones and retrace your steps back to the start line.
For each loop, continue past the start line on Apple Lane, then turn right on Rocky Mountain Road, cross the Wellers Bridge Road straight to Hemlock Road, turn right on Route 67, right on Wellers Bridge Road, left on South Street, then right on Apple Lane to the finish line.
