ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K Makes Charitable Donations!

Contact: William Costello (203) 565-2814

Cheshire, CT: ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K Makes Charitable Donations to Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association and Cheshire Land Trust

Cheshire, CT – The Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K is pleased to make charitable donations to the Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association and the Cheshire Land Trust. Both non-profit organizations are integral parts in maintaining and preserving recreational and open spaces along the Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K race courses and throughout Cheshire. In addition, members of the Farmington Rail-to-Trail Association and Cheshire Land Trust acted as volunteers at our 5th annual event last April. This year, the event raised over $125,000 for various local organizations.

The Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association (FCRTTA) is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers that are connected by the trail. The Farmington Canal Trail covers approximately 84 miles from New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA. Over half of the trail has been developed as a paved trail for non-motorized recreation and commuting. The Cheshire Half Marathon course covers over 6 miles of the trail. Race President, William Costello, and fellow board member Peter Remillard, presented the donation to Douglas Noble and John Paturel, Cheshire residents and board members of the FCRTTA.

Costello, views the trail as essential part of the event. Costello states, “We’re lucky to have our half marathon course run along the picturesque trail. We are excited to see the completion of the three additional sections of trail connecting Cheshire to Southington moving forward with construction. The race committee is thrilled to be able to support the work of the Farmington Canal Rail- to-Trail Association.”

The Cheshire Land Trust maintains several open spaces and hiking trails such as areas surrounding the Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K race courses. The Cheshire Land Trust preserves Connecticut’s natural resources including water resources, marshland, swamp, woodland, open spaces and plant and animal life. The land trust also preserves unique historic and scenic sites, including the Farmington Canal Trail. Costello and Remillard presented the Cheshire Land Trust donation to Mark Kasinskas, Cheshire Land Trust President, and Matt Abdifar, Director of the Cheshire Land Trust.

For more information on next year’s Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K taking place April 30, 2017, please visit www.cheshirehalfmarathon.org.