Hartford Prepares for Eversource Marathon Amidst Anticipated Traffic

The city of Hartford, Connecticut, is preparing for a bustling weekend as the Eversource Hartford Marathon is set to commence on Saturday morning. The marathon, which draws large crowds to the region, will necessitate road closures and is expected to cause significant traffic disruptions.

This major sporting event is one of two significant occasions expected to attract thousands of people to Hartford. The other is a separate event taking place at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, promising a busy weekend for local authorities and attendees alike.

Event organizers have announced an anticipated participation of nearly 10,000 runners across various categories including the marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, and charity 5K races. The number of spectators is expected to be even higher, as family and friends arrive to support the participants.

Preparation efforts have been underway, with tents, tables, and lights set up in Bushnell Park. About 1,500 volunteers have been actively involved in these preparations over the past week, ensuring the smooth running of the event.

Runners began collecting their event packets on Thursday evening, with the registration process continuing at the XL Center in Hartford on Friday. Many participants in the marathon are seasoned runners, with numerous races already under their belts.

Charlie Olbrias, a resident from Lebanon, expressed excitement about the events, stating, “I’m absolutely thrilled. The weather is looking great.” Olbrias has been involved in logistical preparations including setting up tables and chairs, and organizing supplies for runners as they finish the race.

The marathon races will begin promptly at 8 a.m., with the wheelchair division setting off five minutes earlier. Channel 3 plans to document the event with a live stream. The race will be broadcast on The Wax and streamed online via WFSB+.

For motorists, detailed road closure information is available on the event’s official website, which also offers further details about the marathon activities.