Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K
Hamden, CT
- Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, 5K
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K will be held at Town Center Park this June. The road races will offer runners and walkers some grass and paved trail running. The Hamden Road race will kick off Hamden Fest with an extravaganza of events and activities in Town Center Park. … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 06):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 84 | 83 | 78 | 72 | 80 |
| L (°F) | 58 | 67 | 69 | 51 | 51 |
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Best Race in CT BY FAR
After running many races in CT and the surrounding areas of Mass, RI, NH, VT, and Maine, this remains my all-time favorite. The Portland Half is a near second. This … MORE
After running many races in CT and the surrounding areas of Mass, RI, NH, VT, and Maine, this remains my all-time favorite. The Portland Half is a near second. This is hands down the best local race I have ever run.
The production is simply the best. Team Mossman, a local club, puts this on every year. There are less than 200 half marathon finishers this year, and about 150 5kers. It is not super overcrowded whatsoever as big production companies overbook races and herd us in like cattle. Easy breezy same day bib pickup and no lines, even getting there in the nick of time. Lots of tents and shaded area, porta-potties were amble and appropriate for the crowd size–no long lines. Free water and electrolyte fill ups before and after, great post-race snacks, and a super helpful crew of volunteers. The finisher medal is a keeper for sure, and cool variations every year on the Hamden town green gazebo. The technical tee shirt fits great and is also a winner. SecondWind Timing does the chips. Great and ample parking at the middle school, about 1/10 of a mile if you show up late, or you can even park right up next to the tents in your car on the grass. Simply cannot beat the ease of logistics that they have down!
The course is FLAT. The runners are FAST. I assume most of the participants are part of the club or train on the course. After leaving what I assume to be the town green, you will go around a rocky, crushed gravel bend onto the bike path or potentially a former rail trail for the vast majority of the race. At mile four is the first turnaround, and then you will pass where you started on the rail trail for another 7 or so miles for the second turnaround, about 90% of which is covered by trees, even in the June heat. Aid stations with water, gels, and electrolytes at about every 4 miles, but I do not recall many portas, maybe I saw one or two, but I was fine. After finishing the second out and back, you then run back up the crushed gravel around the school track up to the finish. Strava told me about 200ish feet of elevation gain, which is incredibly flat for New England half’s. At the one or two crossings, there was support. The safest half I have ever done.
Simply the best, I will continue to come race this course year after year if I am able. I hope you don’t, so it doesn’t get too overcrowded…. Cheers.
Good Race
This was my first half marathon in over 8 years. This course was nice & flat. A few small liddle hills but not like more intense ones in New England … MORE
This was my first half marathon in over 8 years.
This course was nice & flat. A few small liddle hills but not like more intense ones in New England that I have run before. Registration was easy, the check-in was fast, and porta potties were clean.
The race: I haven’t seen this many sub-2 hour finishers before. The people here were very FAST. The course was a double turnaround which honestly broke it up and it was better than single turnaround races I’ve done before. There were a few bridges and VERY shaded which was nice, even on this cool June day. The course was on a nice paved bike/walking trail, nearly all asphalt, with some ground dirt/gravel at the beginning/end. Aid stations were well stocked and friendly folks.
After the race: lots of good food and some other swag available for sale. I crushed a banana and some bagels after. The finisher medal was unique to the race. I did not go to the festival after since I had to hit the road but it looked like a good time.
I will be coming back next year if I can!
Beautiful paved trail
This is an all trail run and it's paved. Very minimal elevation. Just an enjoyable run not worrying about cars. The trail is big enough to not feel too crowded. … MORE
This is an all trail run and it’s paved. Very minimal elevation. Just an enjoyable run not worrying about cars. The trail is big enough to not feel too crowded. The people that put on this race are great and did a wonderful job. Worth running again.