I love the Hartford Half and have completed it twice. It runs alongside a full marathon as well as a 5k option. The race is in early October and weather is typically ideal (50s-60s or so at the start).

PRERACE: The race organizers have excellent prerace communication and the website is comprehensive.

EXPO: I take advantage of the "Mail my packet" option, through which you can pay a fee to have your bib and tee shirt mailed to you. I LOVE this and wish more races did it! It saves a trip to the expo which is awesome if you aren't staying nearby.

RACE MORNING: Parking is honestly a little stressful for me at this race. The race does send out clear maps about where to find free parking, but Hartford gets congested race morning and lots fill quickly. There were ample portapotties. As for the corrals, I was able to get into a seeded corral in 2016 which was awesome! Other than that, it is kind of a crush of runners that self-sort by time.

COURSE: I love this course! It is flat/rolling through the streets of downtown Hartford, neighborhoods, and a local park. The city really comes out to support this race with great spectators and supportive volunteers. I really enjoy the energy of this race. Well stocked and plentiful aid stations and on course entertainment (bands/music).

POST RACE/SWAG: Swag includes long sleeve tech tees (not my favorite, but nice), medals (again not my favorite, but nice), awesome tote bag with snacks and reusable water bottles with the marathon logo. Dunkin donuts coffee and beer tent at the end.

OVERALL: Definitely recommend!

This is a low key race put on by a local running club. The race takes place in the Lake Champlain islands north of Burlington. It is very affordably priced and pretty low-frill with a few hundred runners, but it has all the basic amenities. Tee shirts are cotton and you do receive a medal. I love the post race spread of warm food (pizza, soup, cookies, etc) that is available instead a school at the finish line. Logistics are SUPER simple, parking is ample, and you can just show up on race morning to pick up your bib. I think the majority of participants are local.

Weather in Vermont is typically cool this time of year, and the foliage is beautiful. The course is a rolling out and back with no enormous hills. Well marked course and well stocked aid stations. If you are local or looking for a fall marathon/half in Vermont, this is a great option.