HARTFORD, Conn. — Thousands of runners from across the world will be descending on Hartford on Saturday for an annual event that has everyone participating with a story behind them.
Rebecca Boncaddo first took to the pavement more than seven years ago to raise money for her friend’s 6-month-old, Miller, after he was diagnosed with cancer.
“So, I started running for a major organization that was raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer,” the Mansfield mom of three said.
Unfortunately, the baby didn’t survive his four-month battle with cancer.
“When Miller passed away, there was nothing I could do to help his family. So, I wanted to keep telling his story, so I started running and running turned into something much bigger than running," Boncaddo added.
Boncaddo is now part of a community of runners descending on Hartford for the 30th running of the Eversource Hartford Marathon.
“We expect 8,500 runners, over 1,500 volunteers, and tens of thousands of spectators,” said marathon president Josh Miller.
New 26.2- and 13.1-mile courses will now run through Hartford’s West End and West Hartford.
There will be road closures across Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, and South Windsor.
But the greatest economic impact is expected downtown.
“Go and explore some of the great Hartford restaurants and coffee shops and other places too. In fact, we just opened a new brewery on Pratt Street just in time,” said Mayor Luke Bronin.
Throughout its 30-year history, the event has raised more than $9 million dollars for local charities.
Boncaddo, however, is no longer running for charity.
Her reason changed in 2020 when her own daughter, Joey, was diagnosed with Leukemia.
“Joey was 6 when she was diagnosed, and she endured 800 days of chemotherapy to treat her Leukemia. But she finished treatment in February, and I am going to run this race in her honor and she’s going to be standing at the finish line waiting for me,” Boncaddo said.
The community that supported Rebecca and Joey throughout her battle with Leukemia will be among thousands of spectators gathering under the start and finish lines at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.
Spectators can catch the race on Capitol Avenue. Both the marathon and half marathon courses now pass by the north side of Bushnell Park around mile 8. But Trinity Street at Bushnell Park is where much of the action will take place.
For a list of road closures and further details, visit the official marathon website.
Samaia Hernandez is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at shernandez@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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