January 15, 2025 – East Hartford, CT – As registration is underway for the 2025 Mystic Half Marathon & 10K, the non-profit Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) is launching a new community partner program to engage more volunteers and grow the positive impact of the event. Mirroring the successful Official Charity program at its signature Eversource Hartford Marathon, HMF is welcoming local charity partners to utilize its turnkey fundraising platform, engage supporters and increase awareness at the May 18th event, which will be its tenth running.

Since its inception in 2015, the Mystic Half Marathon generates positive local economic impact, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to the area. HMF invests in the community’s single largest annual public safety presence for the event, while also engaging vital professional medical services and race operations staffing to ensure quality production.

Additionally, its success depends on significant volunteer presence to provide on-course support, man water stations, assist with parking and support event services and participants. With a steady upward trend of increasing race participants – HMF hosted a sold-out field of more than 2,000 participants in 2024 – the need for volunteers is also greater. To relieve the burden from one community group, the charity partner program allows for multiple groups to support volunteer needs while providing them the platform to fundraise.

“We’re excited to grow the community presence in the Mystic and Stonington areas through a more inclusive charity partner program and are enthusiastic about interest from local groups to get involved,” said Josh Miller, president of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. “Opening up to welcome more non-profit involvement increases local benefit but also alleviates the heavy lift for volunteers, a significant challenge that has nearly threatened to leave key areas unsupported.”

As evidenced through Official Charities of the Eversource Hartford Marathon, which raised about $300,000 through the 2024 event, engaging multiple community partners broadens the positive impact possible without encroaching on opportunities to fundraise. Historically, the Rotary Club of Mystic has benefitted through sponsorship fundraising for multiple scholarships it grants to area graduating seniors, with more than $185,000 raised to date.

“We are grateful to produce the event in collaboration with Stonington Police, Town of Groton PD, as well as public safety and medical partners, and we look forward to bringing more local groups together for a great event in 2025,” said Miller.

Local charity groups interested in more information about the new community partner  program can contact info@hartfordmarathon.com by January 31 for details.

The 2025 Mystic Half Marathon and 10K is happening Sunday, May 18. Register or learn more about the schedule of HMF Events at www.HartfordMarathon.com. Follow the conversations on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter/X at @RunHMF or Instagram at HMF_Events.

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation

The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit.  Located in East Hartford, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes more than 30 annual athletic races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon and training programs for youth runners.  For more information, visit http://www.HartfordMarathon.com and on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter/X at @RunHMF, Instagram at HMF_Events and through HMF Events Club on Strava at strava.com/clubs/HMFevents.