Avangrid, UI, SCG and CNG Help Faxon Law New Haven Road Race Expand Their Green Initiative

The Faxon Law New Haven Road Race is going to have their greenest event yet! The 2026 Green Initiative, sponsored by Avangrid and subsidiaries United Illuminating (UI), Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), strives to make the Labor Day Road Race more environmentally conscious and reduce the event’s carbon footprint. This year’s event will take the following environmentally conscious steps;

- 100% compostable cups for water and eliminating single-use plastic water bottles.

- Using compostable napkins, spoons and hot dog wrappers.

- 5 stations on race site will sort event waste into compost, recycle & landfill.

- Compostable wooden taster spoons used for frozen yogurt.

- Use of a hybrid or electric lead vehicle.

- Recycled paper bags for packet pick-up.

- Collecting lightly used shoes (running shoes, casual shoes, dress shoes) that will be sent to Africa.

- Leftover food will be picked up by local organizations that feed those in need.

- Paper used at event will contain recycled or partially recycled materials.

- No paper entries used with electronic race-day registration.

- Participants encouraged to register online on their phones on race weekend.

With the help of supervision from The Rockfall Foundation, New Haven Climate Movement and support from Peels & Wheels Composting, this year’s race will compost water cups, napkins, spoons, hot dog wrappers and uneaten food. The City of New Haven Parks and Public Works Department is helping recycle plastic beer & yogurt cups, cans, plastic bottles and cardboard.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race, an event that has brought together residents, local organizations, and businesses for nearly 50 years,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of UI, SCG, and CNG. “Events like these play an important role in bringing communities together, and we are proud to support something that reflects the energy and spirit of New Haven.”

The Faxon Law New Haven Road Race takes place on Labor Day, Monday, September 7 on the New Haven Green. The event includes a half marathon, half marathon relay, 5K, Town Fair Tire kids fun run, and the 20K USATF National Championship.

This year’s Labor Day event begins with the Kids Run at 8:10 a.m. and is followed by the half marathon, 20K, 5K and half marathon relay at 8:30 a.m. A crowd of 6,000 runners is expected to participate in the event.

The New Haven Road Race would not be possible without the support of the title sponsor Faxon Law Group. Other contributing sponsors include Crabtree Lexus, Town Fair Tire, In Memory of Mark Gilhuly, Corsair, G Café, Ivy Rehab Network, Yale University, and the City of New Haven. To learn more about the event or to register, visit www.newhavenroadrace.org.