New partnership brings O'Hartford 5K to Dillon Stadium

The non-profit Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF), which produces 30+ race events throughout southern New England, is bringing the annual O’Hartford 5K tradition to historic Dillon Stadium through a new partnership with Hartford Athletic, Connecticut’s professional soccer team. Runners and walkers of all abilities and ages will finish their race on the field with a post-race celebration within the stadium to cap off the last of four St. Patrick’s Day themed family 5K events produced by HMF in March.

The March 22nd race kicks off at 1:00 p.m. outside the stadium and will travel 3.1 miles through the historic Coltsville neighborhood and Colt Park before participants enter the stadium to cross the finish line at midfield. Registration is already open for the O’Hartford 5K, and includes a custom soccer scarf and professional photo for each participant plus an Irish-themed post-race party in the stadium with one free beer (21+ with ID only), hot food and festive music. Race participants will have access to a plethora of resources at the post-race party, including availability of experts from Saint Francis Hospital’s Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute who partner with HMF to support athlete health, wellness and recovery through the League of Injured Runners.

Additionally, special group ticket pricing is available for the HMF community to cheer on Hartford Athletic in their home opener against Charleston Battery at 4:00 pm on March 21, the eve of the O’Hartford 5K. Tickets are available at www.hartfordathletic.com/hmf (save $2 on Club Reserved seating, general admission tickets also available for $10).

“These two experiences highlight the best of what Hartford offers for active millennials, families and groups of friends or colleagues. We will celebrate the 16-year O’Hartford 5K tradition in the awesome environment of a professional sports stadium and support Hartford Athletic while giving participants the memorable experience of finishing on the field,” said Beth Shluger, Hartford Marathon Foundation CEO and founder. “We encourage race participants to join us at the home opener and hope to see soccer fans the next day taking on the O’Hartford 5K, which welcomes competitive or casual runners and walkers.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Hartford Marathon Foundation for this year’s O’Hartford 5K,” said Jordan Charlupski, Vice President of Revenue and Strategic Initiatives for Hartford Athletic. “It is wonderful to see Dillon Stadium continue to grow as a community asset. Between our first home match on Saturday and the race on Sunday, people can spend the whole weekend at the stadium. This is what we envisioned when the stadium was rebuilt last year.”

The Hartford Marathon Foundation is also excited to encourage the community to join “HMF Night” at Dillon Stadium this summer. A fun run event is being coordinated before the Saturday, July 18, Hartford Athletic game. Game tickets will also be available for special group ticket pricing allowing community members to join HMF staff and volunteers cheering the team against North Carolina FC. More details and link to purchase tickets coming this spring.

Registration for the O’Hartford 5K event is open and all details can be found at www.hartfordmarathon.com