Ran this in 1998 and 1999. The course was improved in 1999. Organizers and volunteers did a wonderful job and this looks like a race that could easily handle many more runners. I found the course had neither the scenery of running in the country nor the excitement of running in the city. It is, however as flat as possible for the area for the first 20 miles, and the traffic control is excellent.

Of the 15 different marathons I've run, Hartford rates at the very top because of beautiful New England fall foliage. Beyond the breath-taking scenery, you'll find excellent volunteers and a very runner-friendly organization. Begin with Gerry Pierson's helpful website, add the most incredible full-course pre-race pasta dinner at Aetna HQ included in the modest $35 marathon fee, a fine runner expo with great speakers, a neat start/finish setting in Bushnell Park, an attractive shirt, and an outstanding finisher's medal. There are well-organized pace groups for those interested, a free post-race massage and a free post-race picnic in the park. Hartford is a good PR race. Run it!

I ran this in 2000 and it was my first marathon. The part of the course that is in South Windsor (about ten miles or so) is terrific, through streets lined will fall foliage and farms.
Water stops every mile, which also had Ultima, for better or worse. The food at the end was good. I finished in 5:23 and there was still plenty of yogurt, chili, baked potatoes, and apples. The volunteers were great, they were really pulling for all of the runners. There's a hill at in between mile 20 and 21, but you get to coast down that same hile at mile 25, which was a god send at that point. I haven't done any other marathons, but I have done plenty of other road races, and this was by far the nicest t-shirt I've received.

And I loved it. The end of the course has a few too many rolling hills, but the finish in the park with the arch and the state capitol is very dramatic. Crowd support fair to middling most of the way and excellent at the start, 20-mile mark and finish. Volunteer support is phenomenal. A great race day!

Ran this course in 1998 ... rain for about the last 20 miles which made the park trails sloppy.