Three Course Records set at Sunday's Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K!

Sunday's 6th Annual Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K again drew a crowd of over 3,000 participants. The 5K, Half Marathon Relay and Kids Races all were the largest races ever for this event.

West Hartford’s Everett Hacket won the ½ marathon in 1:08:38 besting the course record of 1:09:10 held by last year’s winner - Sudanese refugee Zakaria Djouma. The women’s half marathon was won by Ivoryton’s Rachel Whitbeck in 1:20:40. Kyle Morse was Cheshire’s top finisher in the half marathon finishing in 1:19:18. The top Cheshire female half marathon finisher was Mira Carey-Hatch in 1:30:33.

The 5K was won by Manchester’s John Busque in 15:03. His time bested the 5K record of 15:08 set by last year’s winner Newton’s Kevin Hoyt. The women 5K race was won by New York City’s Meghan Ryan in 17:38. Her time shattered the course record of 18:36 set by Cheshire’s Courtney Dinnan in 2013. Emmett Parkerson (19:41) and Molly Sullivan (20:13) were the top Cheshire finishers in the 5K.

The ¼ mile and ½ mile Ion Insurance Kids Fun Run were won by Bethany’s Luke Cashing in 1:27 and 3:12. Cheshire’s Kaylee George was the fastest girl in the ¼ mile race finishing in 1:52 and Plantsville’s Rachel Alejandro was the top girl in the ½ mile race in 3:38. For complete results of all races visit cheshirehalfmarathon.org or jbsports.com.

The Cheshire Half Marathon Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports charities that assist those with special needs and their families. This year’s race is expected to raise over $100,000 for its signature charities including Abilities Without Boundaries, Best Buddies CT, Cheshire Lions Club and the SARAH Foundation.