5th Annual Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K Expects Record Crowd of Over 3,000 runners

The 5th Annual Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K expects to have a record crowd of over 3,000 participants. This year’s race is on Sunday, April 24, 2016. In addition to the half marathon & 5K, the event hosts a two-person half marathon relay, corporate team competition and the Ion Insurance Kids Run. The event has grown every year; last year’s race had 2,977 entrants. With race entries running nearly 10% ahead, officials expect to surpass the 3,000 participant mark for the first time. Bill Costello, Race President, states “We ecstatic that our event continues to grow at a time when so many new races are being added.”

The half marathon is a flat course that runs through Cheshire and Hamden with significant stretches along the historic Farmington Canal Trail. All courses begin at Cheshire High School. Following the event, participants are welcome to join the post-race party offering delicious food, refreshments, live music from Run for Cover, an awards ceremony and more! The event also hosts the UnitedHealthcare Healthy Living Festival which offers family activities and a variety of health, nutritional and medical services.

Kevin Nelson, race committee member, is spearheading the effort to recognize the event’s most dedicated runners. Nelson states, “Our event would not be possible without the continued support from our participants. To commemorate our 5th year anniversary, we will be recognizing the 121 runners who have completed a race each year since our inception. Plans are underway to recognize our every year participants with race day perks and commemorative items.”

Race proceed will benefit Abilities Without Boundaries, Best Buddies CT, Cheshire Lions Club, National MS Society and SARAH Foundation. Abilities Without Boundaries, Best Buddies CT and SARAH Foundation are non-profit organizations dedicated to helping children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. The Cheshire Lions Club serves as a fundraiser for the Cheshire community, donated $21,000 to the community 2014. Lastly, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society raises funds for research to find better treatments and a cure for the disease. The society also funds the continuation of local programs and services for over 6,000 CT residents the local chapter serves.

Major sponsors of the event include Ion Bank, UnitedHealthcare, JetBlue, Audi Wallingford, Porsche Wallingford, Yale New Haven Health, New York Life and OrthoNOW.

The Cheshire Half Marathon Foundation Board is comprised of 40 members with diverse backgrounds from the community. Along with the race committee, JB Sports, coordinator of the Faxon Law Fairfield & New Haven Road Races, is organizing the event. To register, learn more about the event or any of our signature charities please visit www.cheshirehalfmarathon.org or call (203) 481-5933.