Hartford Marathon Foundation Celebrates Decades of Community Connections with Run Hartford Mural

In partnership with RiseUP, marathon mural project set for completion in September 2025

East Hartford, CT, August 14, 2025 – The Hartford Marathon Foundation marks more than three decades of engaging runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsor partners and spectators with the installation of a permanent, large-scale mural along the course of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. Set for completion ahead of the 32nd running on October 11, the Run Hartford mural will provide a perpetual reminder of the iconic event in Greater Hartford, representing the positive connections of hundreds of thousands of participants through the years.

With project support and coordination by RiseUP, the 75-foot mural was commissioned by the Hartford Marathon Foundation Board of Directors and created by graffiti mural artist ARCY, a prolific Connecticut street artist with permanent large-scale works throughout North America, Australia and Europe. The mural will be placed on the north side of the LAZ Parking Gold Building garage at 75 Pearl Street, on the corner of Lewis Street in Hartford.

“We’re very proud to bring this beautiful mural to life to represent the countless meaningful moments and positive ties that participants locally and from around the world have to the Eversource Hartford Marathon,” said Christine Andrews, Chairman of the Hartford Marathon Foundation Board of Directors. “This event embodies so much more than just the miles that participants complete, from the perseverance in accomplishing personal goals or overcoming obstacles, to the commitment to health and wellness, genuine sense of community or support of important causes. Our hope is that this inspiring work of art serves as a symbol of pride for many others as well.”

More than $9.5 million has been raised for charity through the event since its inception in 1994. A record 30 Official Charities partners will be involved in 2025, including longtime partners Achilles International - Connecticut, Hospital for Special Care and Connecticut Children’s Foundation. With over $300,000 in charity funds raised last year, the 2024 Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon generated an economic boost of approximately $12 million for the region, hosting 10,000 race participants.

Thousands of race participants and spectators will pass by the Run Hartford art piece around mile 8 of the 26.2 mile and 13.1 mile courses, with marathon participants passing by again at mile 26 just before their triumphant finish stretch under the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch. A Run Hartford cheer zone will be set up to celebrate and encourage race participants.

A public ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for September 17 will mark the installation of the mural. The community is welcomed to take and share photos on Instagram and Facebook using #runHartford to commemorate their connections to the event through the years.

Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon registration is open and the 2025 HMF race calendar is available at www.hartfordmarathon.com.  To run, walk or volunteer on behalf of one of 30 Official Charity partners of the Eversource Hartford Marathon, find more information here.

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded in 1994, the Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF) mission is to promote healthy living through fitness and physical activity for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, gender identities, orientations and experience levels, and to use HMF events to support charity, sustainability, tourism and economic growth in communities. Located in East Hartford, Connecticut, the Foundation organizes more than 30 annual races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon and the Susie Beris, MD, Youth Running Program. For more information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About RiseUP for Arts:
RiseUP for Arts is Connecticut’s statewide public art nonprofit, dedicated to empowering communities through creativity, youth engagement, and public art initiatives. Since 2015, RiseUP has completed over 300 murals and public art projects across Connecticut. For more information visit https://www.theriseupgroup.org/.