Get there early to get a good parking spot. Port-a-potties are in multiple locations. In the description of the race there are no aid stations (trails so there is no way to set up aid stations). It is recommended that you bring your own drink(s). There is post race food. Swag varies from a shirt to socks. You can purchase a shirt separately.
There are two distances to choose from 3.3 or 5.5 miles. Each course starts off the same and the 3.3 miles goes to the left.
The 5.5 miles has lots of inclines, declines, rooks, roots, branches, fallen trees, and mud. It is hot and humid. Bring bug spray. If not expect to be attacked.
The beginning and end of the race is a paced road. Uphill to begin with and down hill to end. There are division awards. (No awards for disabled athletes). This year it was a hat.
I loved this run and looking forward to participating in it next year.

First off this is a cupless race. If you want something to drink you need to bring a bottle or two (one per aid station). One aid station has food and drinks (so many choices...candy, chips, cookies, soups, brownies, hot food, water, soda, and other hydration) and the other I saw water).
Each loop is 3 miles. Since it was pouring everything turned into mud. The course starts off on grass (mud), you run onto a field (mud), you cross water (more mud), and hit a single trail (surprise more mud), at this point you a climbing up. The single track goes up and down until about mile 1.6-1.7. You end up on gravel (kind of muddy). This turns back into single track-to grass-to single track-to gravel and grass (all very muddy). You arrive back at the timing mats ready for another loop.
There are port-a-potties and a "real" bathroom (that is what a sign said).
If you love a challenge, mud, water crossing, roots, rocks, gravel, grass, elevation, fun people, and a good time than this is your race.
Just remember to wear trail shoes and a great pair of socks.

This is the third time I have run the half. The race shirt was great, along with the medal. 3 different packet pickup dates. Along with discounts at running stores.
Most people make a weekend of the race. Groton is beautiful (along the water). Pleanty of parking.
Same day bib and swag pick up. Race starts at 7am. You avoid the heat and humidity. There are pace groups for the half.
The first 5 miles are not bad. At mile 5 you hit your first hill (and challenge). You get a nice down hill. After this you keep going up and down hills. Make sure you are hydrating all race long. (Nuun and water at every aid station. Gu is added at mile 7).
Save some energy for the last mile plus. Mile 12 you run up hill, hit the top, and enjoy a nice down hill finish. You enter the finishing area and loop around past a cheering crowd.
There are overall winners, age groups 3 deep, Athena, Clydesdale, and disabled athlete divisions. Breakfast foods are the post race meal. Lots of booths and free items (food, drinks, stretching, and massages).
I highly recommend this race. It's put on by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

Great race. Plenty of aid stations. Water and Nuun at each one. Around mile 8 the aid station had Gu. Somewhat hilly course. There were pace leaders. From 1 hour to 2.5 hours (10 minute between each pace leader). Make sure you train on hills. DJs and bands are on the course. Part of the course is a double loop.
Post race food (pizza, chocolate chip cookies and bars (chocolate or PB&J). Lots of water and Nuun. Post race stretching from a physical therapy company. Awards for overall, age group, Athena, Clydesdale, and handicapped divisions. Award was a sports bag. Actually very useful.
A fun race, lots of volunteers, police guiding traffic, a friendly runners. Highly recommend this race.

I have walk/run this race the past 2 years. As far as I know it is the only road race ultra in the Northeast USA. In 2017 I walked the 50K and in 2018 I attempted to run the 50 miler. (My knee locked up at mile 28 so I dropped back to the 50K. And yes I did hobble across the finish line). What is great about this race is once you start you have the ability to increase or decrease the distance you want to accomplish. All you need to do is talk with the race director and he will modify your standing.
This is a small ultra marathon event. I would say between 190-300 runners. The 50 milers and 100K start before (1 hour) the 50K group. You have about 13 hours to complete your ultra. You run loops around the sce nic Lake Waramaug. Everyone runs out 2.2 miles (hits the cone) and comes back to the start. From there the 50K group runs 3 loops around the lake and a 1.9 mile out and back loop (marked on the course). The 50 milers run 6 loops around the lake. While the 100k group runs 7 loops and a 2.3 mile out and back loop. Needless to say everyone gets a little loopy.
There are 3 to 4 aid stations around the lake (depends on construction...houses). The foods change from aid station to aid station. Soups, sandwiches, fruits, homemade cookies, breads, treats, flat soda, water, Gatorade, candy, chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. Before the race there was breakfast sandwiches. After the race they had hamburgers and veggie burgers.
Every participant received a long-sleeved tech shirt and a finisher's medal or belt buckle. In 2017 parts of the roads where chewed up and I sprained my ankle at mile 21. Not fun. In 2018 most (90%) of the roads were repaved so it was nice and even for 2018. In 2019 the roads were fine. No worse off than 2018.
In 2017 the weather was perfect. This was amazing since April in New England you never know what the weather will be. In 2018 the weather was for an hour of rain and then clearing up. It rained for the first 3 and a half hours of the event. There was rain on and off for many more hours. It was cold, raining, and windy. This is what occurs in the northeast. In 2019 there was rain and one section of the course was windy and cold (this stopped me from attempting the 100K distance. No way was I going to push my luck and potentially DQ myself).
The volunteers are polite and cheer for you. There are silly signs on one side of the course. There are ample port-a-potties along the loop. There is more than enough parking spaces. The views along the course are incredible so have your camera ready.
I enjoyed this ultra the past 3 years and look forward to running the 100K in 2020. I hope to see you there.