The Norfolk Memorial Day 5 miler is a great small town race. It's a challenging course with hills at 3.5 miles and a tough hill to the finish line. Expect about 200 people to join you on this scenic run through Connecticut's "Ice Box" (as Norfolk is known). It won't be cold for this race though, it's held on Memorial Day at noon, so it's typically hot and humid. No SWAG, but that's in part to a low entry fee (as low as $16 prior to the race and only $19 on race day). Shirts are available for purchase. The top 3 age division winners (10 year divisions for men and women) receive beautiful plaques and trophies for top 3 finishers overall. Double dipping strictly prohibited! It's a fun race, with locals coming out to watch in front of their houses, some kind enough to spray you with a hose if it's really hot. The fire department sells hamburgers and hot dogs on the green at the finish. Great way to celebrate the long weekend!

$26.21 is what i paid to enter this, so right off the bat that's a win! 2018 was the first year for the Cheap Marathon and it was everything it advertised. A no frills, pancake flat, Boston Qualifier. You run 6 4.36 mile laps around a course that loops through the Salisbury State Reservation/campgrounds. It's all paved, and I'd go as far as say perfectly flat (ok, not if you set a giant level on it, but you get the point). This was my 6 marathon and the first where I ran loops around the same course. It does play with your mind a bit and the loops are an odd distance to wrap your head around. I was worried it might be poorly managed being so cheap but they delivered. There was plenty of water/gatorade at the 3 aid stations which you hit over and over. Some people even had their spectators set up kind of a personal aid station in the campground area and stocked it with their favorite drinks and snacks. This is a good one for your family and friends to cheer you on because they'll see you so many times. No shirts, medals, or awards. There was some type of food option that cost extra, but i didn't bother. I did get my BQ but.......I was only 2 minutes and 8 seconds faster than it so yeah......probably won't actually get in. Anyway, that's on me, not the race. Fast, flat and cheap.....so many jokes there but i'll keep it clean. If you're looking for the BQ i'd definitely consider this one!

Typically held the weekend before Halloween, this course in Kent CT brings gorgeous fall scenery to your race calendar. It's a 5 mile course that starts with a steep uphill that pays back huge with a downhill free fall between miles 3 and 4. The last mile is flat, fast, and brings you by some great local restaurants where the smell of food and patrons dining outdoors will help you bring it home. You'll see a lot of people in the Halloween spirit, dressed up in costumes both suited and horrible for running in. About 350 runners overall. The best part of this race is the amazing spread at the finish line. New England weather should be expected, it could be 70s with blazing sun and it could be 30s in freezing rain. Soup, junk food, sports drinks, homemade cookies, fruit, all kinds of goodies help cap off a great race experience in Kent!