Hartford, CT, Marathon Foundation Hosts Running Champions at Inaugural Event

The Hartford Marathon Foundation is excited to announce a legendary line-up of running greats participating in the inaugural Legends Run on Sunday, June 30, at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Runners are encouraged to register for this brand new four-mile road race to join running greats Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot and Donn Cabral, legendary athletes who have special connections to the local running community.

Bill Rodgers is a former American record holder in the marathon best known for his multiple victories in the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon in the late 1970s. Rodgers was a member of the 1976 United States Olympic Team and ran the marathon for the U.S.A. in Montreal. A Hartford native, Rodgers currently operates a running center in Boston and has written six books on the sport. 

Amby Burfoot won the 1968 Boston Marathon during his senior year at Wesleyan University, where he was teammates with Rodgers. After retiring from competition, he became a running journalist and served as the editor of Runner’s World magazine.  He has published multiple books on running and continues to contribute to Runner’s World. 

Donn Cabral is an American cross country and track and field athlete from Connecticut who went on to become a running star at Princeton University. He is the current American collegiate steeplechase record holder and was the 2012 NCAA steeplechase champion. He competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in the steeplechase.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting Bill, Amby and Donn in this inaugural event and to give our running community the opportunity to run alongside these truly inspirational athletes,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. “The Legends Run will celebrate the sport and our Connecticut running rock stars with a great course through the rolling hills of Middletown that Bill and Amby ran as Wesleyan students.”

“I remember racing cross country with my Wesleyan teammates, and I’m looking forward to running with Amby Burfoot along the roads we used to run!” said Rodgers.

According to Burfoot, "It's been nearly 50 years since I ran a race on the roads near Wesleyan that I covered so often in the 1960s. I'm looking forward to reliving the old times and celebrating the new."

“I've been looking forward to this race since I first heard of it! It's an honor for me to be considered a ‘legend’ alongside Amby and Bill and I can't wait to line up with hundreds of other runners from around the state,” said Cabral.

 The Hartford Marathon Foundation encourages all runners to give back to their communities. The Legends Run will support the John Kelley Memorial Fund, which was established to create a lasting tribute to Hall of Fame runner and Connecticut resident John J. Kelley. His accomplishments and humble demeanor inspired generations of runners.

 For more information or to register for the Legends Run, please visit www.HartfordMarathon.com or find HMF Events on Facebook.