Fairfield|Local Event
Many of CT’s Top Runners At This Weekend’s Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Races
Sunday’s Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Half Marathon features a strong field of elite runners, including past winners Mario Vazquez and Angelina Norstrom (nee Rafter), along with top competitors from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The Fairfield Half Marathon is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants on Sunday, while Saturday’s 5K, Kids Race and Beer Mile are anticipated to draw over 1,500 runners. Both events begin at Jennings Beach and follow scenic courses along the Connecticut coastline and through some of Fairfield County’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Race-day registration will be available for both races.
Farmington’s Mario Vazquez returns seeking his third consecutive Fairfield Half Marathon title. At 47 years old, Vazquez continues to compete at an elite level. On the women’s side, Glastonbury’s Angelina Norstrom, the 2024 Fairfield Half Marathon champion, returns to defend her title. She will be joined by her husband, Alex Norstrom, who finished second in the 2023 Fairfield Half Marathon and owns a personal best of 2:16 in the marathon.
Wolcott’s Nick Bendtsen is expected to contend for the men’s title. A recent Princeton University graduate, Bendtsen owns the fastest 5K (13:37) and 10K (28:12) personal bests in this year’s field and has also broken the four-minute barrier for the mile with a personal best of 3:59. Pennsylvania’s Dylan Gearinger, who boasts a marathon personal best of 2:14, will also be among the top contenders. He will be joined by Massachusetts’ John DeRosa, who finished third in last year’s Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Half Marathon.
Fairfield resident Megan Connolly could provide a strong challenge to Norstrom on the women’s side. Connolly ran 2:36 for the marathon earlier this year, earning qualification for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
The Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Race is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports a number of local charities each year. The Fairfield YMCA, Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, Ben’s Lighthouse, and Hole in the Wall Gang Camp are just a few of the organizations that receive thousands of dollars of annual support from the event.
The Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Race is hosted by the Fairfield Fire Fighters and Fire Department. Other race sponsors include Fairfield University, BMW of Bridgeport, Cigna Health Care, MJP Wealth Advisors, Connecticut Orthopaedics, Fairfield Firefighters Association, Michael Nocerino DDS, Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center, Dermatology Physicians of CT, Kane Footwear, Dermatone Labs LLC, Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC, Kellys Family Foods, Gameday Men’s Health, Marathon Sports, Sturges Ridge, AMR, Ittabit’s, Cobs Bread, Amrita, LesserEvil and Star 99.9.
About Athletic Brewing Company
Athletic Brewing Company is America's largest dedicated non-alcoholic brewer. Athletic is revolutionizing how modern adults drink by crafting full-flavored NA brews that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. Launched commercially in 2018, Athletic is the number one non-alcoholic beer brand in America1 and a top 15 U.S. brewing company2. Its award-winning brews are available nationwide at over 75,000 retail locations. Athletic operates custom breweries in Connecticut and California and donates up to $2 million annually to protecting and restoring outdoor spaces across the globe via its Two For The Trails program. Athletic is proudly a Certified B Corporation™. Learn more and shop at www.athleticbrewing.com.
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1 NielsenIQ, Total US xAOC + Liquor Open State + Conv, Latest 52 Wks ending 4/18/26
2Brewers Association: 2025 Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report