Branford|Local Event
CT’s Top Runners Joining Over 2,000 Runners At Sunday’s CT Championship Acrisure Branford Road Race
Event Details
Many of Connecticut’s top runners will line up alongside more than 2,000 participants at this Sunday’s Acrisure Branford Road Race. The 5-Mile Race serves as the Connecticut USATF 5-mile Championship, drawing a strong field of elite runners from across the state.
In the men’s race, West Hartford’s Grant O’Connor returns after winning last year in 23:52, the fastest winning time in over 20 years. He will be challenged by Waterford’s Samuel Alexander, the 2024 champion, and Farmington’s Mario Vazquez, who has finished second in each of the last three Branford Road Races and will once again be in contention.
On the women’s side, Glastonbury’s Alyssa Natario leads the field after finishing third last year and second in 2024. She will be pushed by Middletown’s Mira Records. Records recently finished 2nd in this month’s Athletic Brewing Fairfield Half Marathon. Manchester’s Olivia Mondo, who finished just behind Natario in the 2024 race and is expected to be among the top finishers again.
More than 1,500 runners are expected in the 5-mile race, with approximately 400 participants in the Mark Gilhuly Family Fun Run (1-mile) and 300 participants in the event’s fitness walk.
Runners & walkers can enjoy live music and aid stations along all courses. All participants will receive tech tees. Following the races, participants can take part in the post-race brunch, featuring a choice of a breakfast sandwich or pancake breakfast. New England Brewing Company will also host a post-race celebration with beer and pizza from 10:00am to 2:00pm! Tickets must be purchased in advance, and the event is limited to 400 attendees.
Over the years, Branford Road Race has proudly donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local non-profits and community organizations. This year the race is partnering with Branford’s Community Dining Room.
Other sponsors of the 2026 race include Hartford Healthcare’s David & Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center, In Memory of Mark Gilhuly, Madison Polymeric Engineering Inc., Marathon Sports, Richard Squeri Insurance Agency, Thimble Island Private Wealth, Coastal Core Pilates, Bausch + Strobel, CrossPoint Federal Credit Union, Shoreline Allergy, Branford Community Foundation, ENH Restoration, TYCO Print and 99.1PLR.
Event information can be found at www.branfordroadrace.net.
About Acrisure
Acrisure is a global fintech leader that provides a wide range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, cybersecurity, and financial services solutions to businesses and individuals. The company combines advanced technology with deep industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions to millions of clients worldwide. Through its rapidly expanding global platform, Acrisure continues to redefine the insurance and financial services industry by integrating technology-driven capabilities with trusted advisory services. Learn more at www.acrisure.com.