Half Marathon races near Newtown

Mohawk Mountain Race is a fall trail race at Mohawk Mountain Ski Resort in Connecticut, offering distances from 5K through marathon. The mountain, typically used for skiing and snowboarding, features routes that climb and descend on steep resort trails rather than rolling through a flat park. Even the 5K route includes 1,332 feet of elevation gain, the 10K doubles that loop for 2,664 feet, and the marathon covers 6,338 feet across two half-marathon loops. The shorter races remain on the ski mountain grounds, while the half marathon extends into Mohawk State Forest, totaling 3,169 feet of climbing. The half marathon is also part of Connecticut’s Blue Blazed Trail Running Series, which features races on or partly on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails and promotes awareness of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s trail maintenance efforts. Steep Endurance sponsors the event, targeting runners seeking a challenging trail day with consistent climbs, sharp descents, forest sections, and mountain fall foliage.

The Ridgefield Road Fest begins at the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield in Ridgefield, Connecticut, offering three road-race options: a half marathon, a 7-miler, and a 5K. This October running event features distances of 21.1 km, 11.3 km, and 5.0 km. The course provides runners a choice between a half-marathon effort, a middle-distance road race, or a shorter 5K. The Iris Fund benefits from the 5K, and the series is celebrating its 50th anniversary, adding local history to the event.

The Hillacious Half Marathon is a small road half marathon in Litchfield, Connecticut. It starts at 10:00 AM and has a deliberately bare-bones feel. The race, now in its seventh year, costs $50 to enter. Its challenging course is designed to reflect the grit, determination, and sacrifice of military service. The route goes through Litchfield, an old New England town featuring historic landmarks like the Litchfield Green, the oldest publicly funded town green in the United States. There is no prize money, so participants are typically runners seeking a hard effort and personal satisfaction. Proceeds benefit local military personnel and families in need. Winners' names are engraved on trophies displayed at Morgan-Weir American Legion Post 27.

The Tarrywile Half Marathon is a November trail race held in Tarrywile Park, Danbury, Connecticut, featuring exclusively unpaved park trails. The event includes a 10K, half marathon, and marathon, all utilizing a consistent hard loop structure: one loop for the 10K, two for the half, and four for the marathon. This course is not a road race with some dirt; it consists of Northeast single track, rocky and rooty sections, and sufficient climbing to significantly slow runners compared to their typical road pace. The 10K involves approximately 1,500 feet of climbing, the half marathon around 3,000 feet, and the marathon reaches about 6,000 feet of elevation gain. Participants gain viewpoints over Danbury and the park's lakes, though these require navigating technical, hilly trails. Hikers and walkers are permitted in the 10K and half marathon provided they can finish within the seven-hour time limit. The event maintains a small scale with a 250-person limit. The half marathon also features a standing cash challenge: bonuses are awarded to the first man finishing under 1:45 and the first woman under 2:00, with the prize pool increasing annually until claimed.