2009 Hartford Marathon – Hartford, CT

First we promoted the health of the planet, and now we’re talking about exercising? About running a frakkin’ marathon? Man, whatever happened to the USA Travel Guide that supported eating immoral quantities of cheese?

Those were good times (and it was an awesome event).

But not today. Today we’re headed to the Hartford Marathon and Half-Marathon up in the Insurance Capital of the World, Hartford, Connecticut. We’ve written about marathons before, so I reckon you know how this thing works. You show up dressed like one of the jocks from Big Brother, you run, you hydrate, you hurt, you run some more.

A few things set the Hartford Marathon apart. For one, it’s a Boston Marathon qualifier, though you have to sign up special so be careful when you register. For another, the city puts on mile-to-mile entertainment, everything from drum corps to cover bands to dueling harmonicas.

And finally, the marathon takes place in Hartford, easily one of the east coast’s most beautiful destinations. The fiery colors of autumn will be in full bloom as runners follow a gorgeous course through historic downtown Hartford and along the tranquil Connecticut River. Sure, halfway through a 26-mile run you might say that you don’t care about some stupid trees, but deep-down you’ll be glad they’re there.

The Hartford Marathon is a fairly limited engagement, with only 9,000 total spots open across the marathon, half-marathon and 5k relay. But, I’ve been told registration is still available, so act soon. The Marathon will be run on October 10, 2009, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Bushnell Park. Race time has been capped at 6 hours for the marathon. Learn more.

Don’t be a self-serving lout. Run for a cause.

Just half a mile from Bushnell Park, we like the Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown. Not only are they offering the cheapest rates of all the sponsored hotels, they back it up with complimentary parking and Internet.

Have … well, not fun exactly, but have a good time.

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