Festive Road Race To Brighten Up West Hartford Sunday

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The town's festive road race won't be the Boston Marathon, but it will be equally fun and, as a result, it will also create some traffic impacts Sunday morning.

The Hartford Marathon Foundation is hosting the annual Blue Back Mitten Run on Sunday, Dec. 3, starting with a kids fun run at 10 a.m. and the traditional 5K event at 10:30 a.m.

It will take place on Burr Street near West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St., which is the gathering spot for the event.

The event will wind its way to Blue Back Square, West Hartford's destination shopping area, where there will be a post-race celebration for all in attendance.

The goal of the Mitten Run is more than just a holiday-theme road race, however, as organizers are collecting winter hat, glove and mitten donations for those in need, as well as cash/checks for the Town That Cares Fund.

Given that more than 1,500 runners are expected to meander their way through WeHa, some road closures are to be expected and traffic will be impacted, according to town officials.

"To assist with travel plans on race day, some roads will be temporarily closed or partially closed. Motorists can expect delays," wrote the town in an announcement.

Roads will reopen as runners pass and, when possible, police will direct cross traffic during the race.

The following are the traffic impacts:

• From 8:15 a.m. to noon, Isham Road (Memorial Road - Dinah Road) will be CLOSED.

• From 9 to 040 a.m., Burr Street will be CLOSED.

Meanwhile, delays can be expected on these roads for the day's events:

10 to 11:30 A.M.
Raymond Road (Memorial Road to Boulevard)
Boulevard (Raymond Road to Castlewood Road
South Main Street (Boulevard to Memorial Road)
Memorial Road (South Main Street to Raymond Road)

10:30 TO 11:30 A.M.
Four Mile Road (Sedgwick Road to Boulevard)
Sedgwick Road (South Main Street to Castlewood Road)
Castlewood Road
Woodrow Street (Boulevard to Ellsworth Road)
Ellsworth (Woodrow Street to South Main Street)

For more information, call 860-652-8866.

Maps, registration information, times and other Blue Back Mitten Run information is available at this link.