Mystic Area Merchants Welcome Mystic Half Marathon, 10K Participants with Special Offers

The Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) is proud to host 2,000 in the second running of the Mystic Half Marathon & 10K, to benefit the charitable works of the Rotary Club of Mystic. Merchants in Olde Mistick Village and Downtown Mystic are welcoming participants with promotions and specials through race weekend, May 14-15.

Additionally, legendary running greats Amby Burfoot and Geoff Smith will be in the field for the 7:00 am race start on Sunday, May 15. A Mystic resident, Burfoot is a celebrated runner who won the Boston Marathon in 1968 and is a respected journalist who served as Runner’s World editor for years. Smith won back-to-back Boston Marathons in 1984 and 1985 in addition to being an accomplished Olympian and coach.

The 13.1 mile race course, which starts in Olde Mistick Village and heads downtown over the historic drawbridge, runs along River Road offering runners spectacular water views before heading through the serene country roads of Stonington and finishing in front of the Mystic Aquarium.

“We are excited for great race in these beautiful shoreline communities and grateful for their continued support,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director and CEO of Hartford Marathon Foundation. “We invite participants to take the opportunity to enjoy the many great restaurants and shops available in the area.”

Offers during race weekend include discounts of 10-20% on goods and services, special gifts with purchase, happy hour pricing and promotional menus. Participating merchants include the following (full list of promotions are available here).

Downtown Merchants:

Courtyard Gallery

Giabonni’s Riverside Salon & Spa

Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream

Mystic Gem Company

Mystic Knotwork

Mystic Pet Shop

Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours

The Rose

Tidal River Clothing Co.

Voodoo Grill

Olde Mistick Village:

Becca Rose Natural Body Care

Elizabeth & Harriet

Extra Virgin Oil Store

The Grey Goose Cookery

Grey Goose, Too!

Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza Co.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

Mystic Aquarium

Semolina Pasta Shop

Sticky Situations

Vault Coffee Roasters

Additionally, Jim Roy, President of the John Kelley Memorial Fund and avid Mystic runner, will share details of the course on May 14 during 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm sessions corresponding with Packet pick-up (which runs from 1-4:00 in Older Mistick Village).

The Mystic Half Marathon and 10K have limited charity registration spaces available in advance. Registration is still open for HMF FitKids events, which offer ¼ mile, ½ mile and mile races that morning for children ages 2-11. For more information, visit www.hartfordmarathon.com.

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation

The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes 35 annual athletic events, including the world-class Eversource Hartford Marathon and free school-based running programs for kids. For more information, visit us at www.HartfordMarathon.com or on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter @runHMF and Instagram @HMF_Events