Connecticut
Mitten Run returns to West Hartford for the holiday season
About 1,700 people participated in the Blue Back Mitten Run in West Hartford on Sunday morning.
“I love this race,” said Bruce Pfalzgraf. “There’s a lot of people, a lot of enthusiasm, and it’s a great finish.”
The Hartford Marathon Foundation hosted the sold-out race, which featured people decked out in holiday themed costumes and wearing mittens.
“It’s warmer than we thought,” said Patty O’Brian. “I thought it was going to be a lot colder, so this is great.”
The race also worked as a clothing drive, with organizers collecting new hats, gloves and other clothing items. Those items will go to West Hartford’s The Town That Cares program, which is helping people keep warm during the winter months.
“It’s an easy drop, just drop a couple mittens or drop a couple of hats and gather stuff,” O’Brian said.
Girls on the Run had about 400 runners participating in the event. The organization encourages girls to run.
“During the wintertime, it’s the best time to stay active,” said board chair Lindsay Reiff. “That’s when the seasonal depression kind of starts to set it.”