4 running events in Glastonbury, Connecticut

The King of Pain 10-Miler (more like 10.35)

Presented by Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Centers and The Glastonbury River Runners

In 2004, a legend was born. The King of Pain is the toughest road race in the history of Glastonbury and, as anyone who has run it knows, it lives up to its name. The course offers breathtaking South Glastonbury orchard scenery, along with hill, after hill, after hill. As a bonus, we scheduled the race smack-dab in the middle of a frigid New England winter. No extra charge. And you’ll be pretty sore after you finish, but you’ll walk away with bragging rights that will last all year long.

Register quick. The field is strictly limited, and all of the clinical masochists in the state want in. Course will be open to traffic, so please use caution. As with any race during winter months, there is a risk of inclement weather. Please take this into account when registering.

Race will benefit Achilles CT and Sunshine Kids. VIEW THE COURSE MAP HERE

Where: Hopewell School,1068 Chestnut Hill Rd, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Parking: Spaces available at Hopewell School. Additional Parking is available at lots across New London Tpke. Absolutely NO PARKING at the fire station. Please carpool if possible.

When: Sunday, February 8, 2026. 10 AM sharp. Course closes at 12:30 P.m. If you anticipate taking more than 2:30:00 to complete the course, please contact us for an earlier start time.

Cost: $50 for individuals through 1/19/26, and $60 thereafter. Online Registration will remain open through race morning.

You get: Chip timing, long-sleeve tech shirt (limited quantities and sizes- first 150 registrations only), post race food, and a solid sense of pride for crushing a bunch of Glastonbury's toughest hills.

Awards: The top male & female finishers will be crowned the 2026 King & Queen of Pain with great pomp and circumstance. Age group recognition for first place male and female in 10 year age groups will be presented following the race.

Packet pickup options are available at Fleet Feet Glastonbury on Thursday from 5-7 pm, Friday afternoon from 4-6 pm and Saturday morning from 10 am-noon.

Packets can also be picked up at Hopewell School on race day starting at 9:00.

NO REFUNDS or DEFERRALS. Transfers on a case by case basis before on-line registration closes. Please note that this is a race that occurs during the winter, so weather is something we are very much aware of. We also want to assure everyone's safety is paramount.

A 2-mile St Patrick's Day race that takes place entirely within Glastonbury's Riverfront Park.

RACE IS CAPPED AT 175 RUNNERS!

Race Day Schedule

• 4:30 PM - Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration

• 6:00 PM - Run/Walk Start

• 6:30 PM - Awards

Registration

• $25 Pre-Registration / $30 Race Day

• T-Shirts if Registered by March 2nd, 2026

Awards

• Overall Male, Female and Non-Binary Winners

• Top Three in the Following Age Groups: 12 and, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Presented by Hartford Healthcare, The Glastonbury River Runners offer this 9 week training program to encourage local friends to get up and move! Let us help you reach your goal of completing a 5K (3.1 miles). Through this program, we are here to offer you group support, motivation and fun along the way! Not only will you complete your goal, but you also will meet some fantastic running partners in the GRR and HHC family. You can do this and we're here to help!

Led by Road Runners Club of America Level II Certified Coaching and numerous volunteer guides, our goal is to assure that every runner feels included and receives individual instruction and companionship on every run. Coaches will be spread throughout the group to support ALL pace levels. All coaches are previous graduates of the program and current members of the Glastonbury River Runners.

The Get Ready to Run program will meet two days a week, primarily stepping off from Fleet Feet in Glastonbury located at 63 Hebron Avenue (with a few other locations pre-determined during the program).

Saturday sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Thursday sessions begin at 6 p.m.

Training will be held rain (unless there is thunder & lightning) or shine. Weekly emails will be provided with details on the goals you should have for the current week.

Participants will train at the pace that they feel comfortable with to achieve their weekly goals. This training is about YOU accomplishing YOUR goal of completing the 5k distance at YOUR own pace.

Additional training segments on your own (or with a friend) are recommended. Doing the suggested workouts is what will help you successfully reach your goal.

Our training program includes FREE entry into the Highland Park Market Firecracker 5K race on June 28 from Rotary Field in Glastonbury. Celebrate completing the journey with friends!

All you have to do is register, show up, and we will get you to the finish!

The GRR Family looks forward to getting to know you, supporting you and cheering you on as you cross that finish line!

To better keep the group focused and assure we have the proper amount of coaches to assist you along the way, registration for this session is limited to 50 runners. Get your spot early!

As with any exercise program please consult with your physician prior to beginning.

Registration Includes-

-Training at experience level

-Running shirt for Race Day

-Race entry to the Highland Park Market Firecracker 5k on June 29!

-Presentations on various running topics during the program

-Opportunity for socializing with fellow runners after each session

-GRR Club Membership for 2025 Calendar Year ($30 value)

-Private FB page for members only

-Fleet Feet Glastonbury discounts

-Private emails for varied distance runs and outing opportunities after runs

The Joy is in the Journey!

Jason Marshall

Executive Director

Glastonbury River Runners

Contact Me with any questions/concerns about the program: CONTACT ME

Proudly Presented by SmartStart Pediatrics along with support from Fleet Feet Glastonbury, The Glastonbury River Runners offer this 9 week training program (no session May 24- Memorial Day Weekend) to encourage youth ages 4 to 13 to get up and move! Let us help your child reach the goal of completing a 5K (3.1 miles) and have a great time doing it! Through this program, we are here to offer your child support, motivation and fun along the way!

Practices will begin promptly at 4 p.m. on Saturdays at the Smith Middle School Track (216 Addison Rd, Glastonbury, CT 06033). Practices will last about 45 minutes. After a group warm-up (stretches and running games), kids will be encouraged to run at their own pace and run as many laps as they feel comfortable running.

This is a non-competitive program so each child can run as many laps as they feel comfortable with. Older kids have run up to two miles while younger ones may only run two laps and that is perfectly okay. We just want to see everyone out there having a good time. Our main goal with this program is to keep kids active, show them what they are capable of achieving, and have them see how fun running can be!

Every time your child completes a lap, they will collect a popsicle stick from one of the coaches. Once they are done running, they will turn in their sticks and write the number of miles/laps they ran on their personal card.(5 laps = 1 miles) After their card is filled out, they will take it to Coach Chaz or Coach Jill and receive a “toe”ken for each mile they ran and one gummy worm. After they pick up their rewards, you are free to go home.

Please remember to bring a drink for your child and we strongly encourage you to run with your child.

We will run in gentle-to-steady rain, but will cancel for thunderstorms and downpours. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out an email and provide updates via the Glastonbury River Runners and Run U! Facebook pages

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].

Please note that we take every effort to assure a safe and protective environment for your children, but as with any physical activity running does come with risks of injury! Safety first please! Please bring your own water/cold drink!

Package includes-

-Weekly Practice Every Saturday from Smith School at 4 p.m. (NO SESSION SATURDAY MAY 24- MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!)

-Training at experience level

-"Toe" ken after each completed mile of training

-Gummy Worm Treat at the end of each session.

-Running shirt

-Race entry to GRR Firecracker 5K on June 28 for both your child and one adult participant to guide your child on race day.