12 running events in Hamden, Connecticut
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Hamden
12 events in Hamden-
Sun, Jan 11, 2026 at 7:00 AMSee full details
Do you have a hard time staying motivated over the winter months? If so join Team Mossman Triathlon Club for our winter running challenge.
The challenge consists of 3 runs (These runs are not timed) that Start with a 10K and build up to a Half Marathon. All courses are loops or out and back runs so you can adjust the distances to meet your training needs.
This is a great opportunity to train with Team Mossman during the cold winter months. All proceeds from this event go into the Team Mossman 2026 budget to fund other Team events. We encourage everyone to bring their own nutrition but we will offer water on the 15K and Half Marathon runs.
01/11/2026 - 10K (MSA to the top of York Hill and Back)
02/01/2026 - 15K (All on the Farmington Canal Trail)
02/15/2026 - Half Marathon (Beardsley Park)
All 3 runs will start at 7:00am. 10k AND 15K will start from MSA. Half Marathon will be at Beardsley Park in Bridgeport.
Everyone who finishes all 3 races will get a 3d printed finisher "medal"
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Sun, Mar 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Join us for our St. Patrick's Day Road Race on Sunday March 15th in Hamden, CT! This is a 4 mile run or an un-timed 1 mile fun run on the Farmington Canal trail. Race starts at 8:30am.
FREE BEER for those finishers who have valid ID and at least 21 years old as of race day. Snacks and other refreshments provided post-race.
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Sat, May 09, 2026 at 10:00 AMSee full details
HAMDEN/NORTH HAVEN YMCA & NEW HAVEN YMCA YOUTH CENTER
COLOR RUN
FAMILY RUN & 5K TRAIL RUN
10:00am | for Family Color Run
10:30am | for the 5K Trail Run
May 9, 2026
The first 100 pre-registered participants will receive a Y giveaway. Water stations will be available throughout the event. Race Line Start Services will be providing the bibs and pins for all the 5K Trail runners.
Register in person:
New Haven YMCA Youth Center
50 Howe Street New Haven CT 06511
Register race day:
9:00AM-9:30AM
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Sat, May 23, 2026 at 7:00 AMSee full details
Our 15^th Annual Event!
We start at 7am to beat the heat! Early starters go at 6:30am.
THE COURSE
Our Half Marathon course is challenging and picturesque as you run through the back country of Hamden. The Half Marathon runs on the Rail-Trail for the first 2 miles and the last 2 miles offering a bit of flat, shady ground to enjoy.
Roads are open to traffic, but we have police and volunteers at intersections along the course.
USATF Measured Half Marathon Course & 5K.
The 5K is 100% on the rail-trail for a flat and fast finish. No cars.
Hamden's longest running Half Marathon & 5K and by far, the best!
Aid stations at miles 2.5, 4.5, 6.5, 8.5 and 10.5 stocked with Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance.
Porto-Lets at the Start / Finish as well as Miles 4.5 and 8.5
Half Marathon course including elevation (STRAVA)
5K course including elevation (STRAVA)
Venue: New Haven / Northampton
Railroad Canal Line Main Parking Lot
4340 Farmington Heritage Canal Trail
Hamden, CT. 06518
Plenty of parking in all Rail Trail lots plus on-street. Don't park in the Dunkin, Amity Liquors lot. You may be towed.
THE ENTRANT STUFF
Men's and Women's cut Short Sleeve Tech T-Shirts for all entrants.
Half Marathon Finishers can choose between 2 designs of our Famous Dragon Finisher Medals.
Poland Spring Water, Gatorade Endurance, fresh bagels, and bananas at the finish line for all Finishers.
Custom awards for the top 3 Men and Women overall and in every 5 year division for the Half Marathon and 5K (From 15 years old to 80+).
FREE Downloadable Race Photos and Finisher Certificates by EliteFeats.
TIMING AND RESULTS
Transponder Timing and Results for your gun time and your net time. (Awards based on gun time)
Results will be live streaming as well as emailed and Texted to you once you finish.
CUTOFFS AND EARLY STARTS
Half Marathon Time cutoff is 3:30.
Please do not sign up if you can't do a HILLY 3:30 Half.
Those who plan to run a 2:30 to 3:30 Half Marathon MUST start at 6:30am. There will be an official Early Start for those.
NOTE: Early starts are only for those who will do a 2:30-3:30 range half marathon. We can't have anyone else go early. You will be DQed if you start early and finish faster than 2:15. Some exceptions are made.
There is NO TIME CUTOFF for the 5K.
WHAT IS A RACE SERIES STREAKER?
Since 2014 we have offered a challenge to all who would like to accept. Finish all 3 of our 2026 Half Marathons (The Savin Rock Marathon counts too) and we give you a FREE custom Shoreline Sharks Race Series Streaker Hoodie and you pick the color!
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3/28/2026 The Savin Rock Marathon or Half Marathon
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5/23/2026 The Hamden Hills Half Marathon
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9/12/2026 The Gulf Beach Half Marathon
You can register on-line or race-day, it does not matter. Finish all 3 and you’ve got it! We will be handing the Hoodies out at the Rail Trail 10K on 10/3/2026 or the Shoreline Turkey Trot 5K on 11/26/2026 or you can pick it up from us in North Haven. We do not ship them. Make sure to email: [email protected] when you finish the Gulf Beach Half Marathon with your size (unisex S,M,L and XL) and color (there will be a color chart)
SPECIAL 3-HALF MARATHON ENTRY TICKET (or Savin Marathon + 2 Halfs) THAT GIVES A $25 DISCOUNT.
THE HISTORY
2011: The inaugural race started and finished at the very top of the QU York Hill Campus and was the hilliest Half Marathon & 5K in CT. So much suffering.
2012: We changed the course to start and finish on Sherman Ave thereby eliminating York Hill.
2013: The Half Marathon course again changed so it hooked up with the Rail Trail from mile 11 to the Finish.
2014: The Half Marathon & the 5K both started and finished on the Rail Trail. The 5K became completely flat.
2020: The State of CT cancelled all races due to Covid19.
2022: The courses are now USATF Certified, and we altered the Half Marathon route to avoid a few tricky spots. We still have the Rail Trail sections and 90% of the original course. The elevation came down a little bit.
2023, 2024, 2025: Absolute perfect days and an amazing group of athletes compete, some every year as this race is a Hamden Tradition.
PRICING STRUCTURE
10/17/2025 - 12/31/2025
Half Marathon $70
5K $30
1/1/2026 – 3/31/2026
Half Marathon $75
5K $35
4/1/2026 - 5/21/2026
Half Marathon $80
5K $40
Race Day 5/23/2026 (probable but not guaranteed)
Half Marathon $80
5K $40
Race day: Cash, Checks made out to "CASH" and Venmo only. No cards on rce day.
TRANSFER & DEFERRAL INFO
You may TRANSFER your registration to another athlete until 4/23/2026 for $25.
This is done by you on-line through Active
THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
You may DEFER your entry to the 2027 Race until 4/23/2026 by paying the $25 fee to our Venmo "Shorelinesharks" and emailing [email protected]. We will confirm via email and manually remove you from 2026 and manually add you to 2027. THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
NO REFUNDS /NO EXCEPTIONS
We will not reply to emails asking for an exception to our No Refund, Transfer or Deferral Policy.
*Active.com offers an insurance plan for a fee but we are not involved with that. They charge the fee and they will refund you, not us.
RACE DAY
Saturday 5/23/2026 (Dawn: 4:54am, Sunrise: 5:26am)
5:30am: Registration / Bib and Shirt Pickup Opens
6:30AM: Half Marathon Early Starters begin
6:45am: Registration / Bib and Shirt Pickup Closes
7:00am: Half Marathon Starts
7:15am: 5K Starts
7:30am: First 5K Finishers
8:15am: Final 5K Finishers
8:20am: First Finishers for the Half Marathon
10:00am: Final Finishers of the Half Marathon
10:15am: Venue Closed
New Haven / Northampton
Railroad Canal Line Parking Lot
4340 Farmington Heritage Canal Trail
Hamden, CT. 06518
Bring photo ID
TRAVEL AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Air Travel
Hamden, Connecticut can be accessed easily from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. (46 Miles away) as well as JFK International Airport (85 miles away) and LaGuardia International Airport, (79 miles away) both in Queens, NY. Bradley will be MUCH easier to fly through and travel to and from the race venue, but the tickets may be more expensive. Recently Tweed Regional Airport has offered flights from various cities so check them out too. Tweed is less than 10 miles from the venue.
Hotels
The closest hotels to stay in for the Hamden Hills Half Marathon are:
Whitney Inn & Suites (Half a mile from the race venue)
3400 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT. 06518
Phone (203) 288-2505
Clarion Hotel & Suites (3 Miles from the race venue)
2260 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT. 06518
Phone (203) 288-3831
PARKING
Plenty of parking at all of the Rail Trail lots and on the street (where legal)
No Parking at the Dunkin Donuts / Amity Liquors Lot
Event details and schedule
Directions
From I-91: Take exit 10 (Rt 40 connector) to Rt 10 North (Whitney Ave) Make a left onto Sherman Ave. From Rt 15 (Merritt Parkway): Take exit 61, Rt 10 North (Whitney Ave) Go for 2.7 miles and turn left onto Sherman Ave. Turn LEFT into the Canal Rail-Trail Lot. Google Map Link
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Sat, May 23, 2026 at 7:00 AMSee full details
For 2 weeks only, we have a great money saving offer for all of our Hamden races! This is a 20% off savings.
You can pick from 4 options:
OPTION 1: ALL IN with 3 Medals!
The 15th Annual Hamden Hills Half Marathon PLUS
Inaugural The Perfect Ten Mile Road Race PLUS
The 10th Annual Rail Trail 10K Race
The Road Runners Club of America's 10K Eastern Region Championship
20% OFF equals $160
OPTION 2: Plan B
The 15th Annual Hamden Hills Half Marathon PLUS
Inaugural The Perfect Five Mile Road Race PLUS
The 10th Annual Rail Trail 10K Race
The Road Runners Club of America's 10K Eastern Region Championship
20% OFF equals $136
OPTION 3: The Sampler
The 15th Annual Hamden Flat 5K PLUS
Inaugural The Perfect Ten Mile Road Race PLUS
The 10th Annual Rail Trail 10K Race
The Road Runners Club of America's 10K Eastern Region Championship
20% OFF equals $128
OPTION 4: The Gradual Mileage Increase Plan
The 15th Annual Hamden Flat 5K PLUS
Inaugural The Perfect Five Mile Road Race PLUS
The 10th Annual Rail Trail 10K Race
The Road Runners Club of America's 10K Eastern Region Championship
20% OFF equals $104
There are No Refunds, No Transfers and No Deferrals for this special 20% deal.
All 3 Races start and finish at the same Venue! The Hamden Sharks Race Lot
If you have already signed up for any of these races and still want to get in on this, we can do it! Email [email protected] and we will make it happen. We can give you the deal!
For all of the details for the 3 races, please go to our website, The Shark Net!
This deal ends at Midnight on 5/21/2026
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
Event details and schedule
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Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
The Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K will be held at Town Center Park on Saturday June 6th. The event includes a Half Marathon and 5K. The road races will offer runners and walkers some grass and paved trail running.
The Hamden Road race will kick off Hamden Fest. Hamden Fest will kick off at 11:00 am, with an extravaganza of events and activities in Town Center Park. The Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Town of Hamden to present this exciting event which will feature the Chamber's Annual Business & Community Expo; the Hamden Library Book Sale; Food Trucks and vendors; an Arts & Crafts & Antiques Fair; a Kids’ Zone by Hamden Youth Service Bureau; Entertainment by local musicians and more. Hamden Fest will run until 4:00 pm.
Come enjoy this lively festival that brings together Hamden’s best – business, arts, cultural and educational communities.
For more info about Hamden Fest, go to https://hamdenregionalchamber.com/promote/hamden-fest/.
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Sat, Aug 01, 2026 at 7:00 AMSee full details
Are you ready for the NEXT BIG THING in running?
As trend setters, the Shoreline Sharks are always on the cutting edge, and we are proud to introduce THE PERFECT TEN & Five Mile Road Race! We brought back the 10K a decade ago and now we are introducing a 10 Miler and 5 Miler that will be your new favorite! You've done a million Half Marathons and 5ks, so your next goal has arrived.
This course is 100% on the flat Rail Trail in Hamden with NO TRAFFIC AND NO STREET CROSSING! A simple out-n-back format. We start and finish from the Rail Trail Lot that we use for the Hamden Hills Half Marathon & Flat 5K and The Rail Trail 10K Race. We are sticking with what has worked for 15 years!
- The 10 Miler starts at 7am (to beat the heat) and has a 2:30 cutoff (15 minute/mile pace). Aid Stations with Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance at Miles 2.4, 5 and 7.6. You run out 5 Miles and back. No turns, No cars! Net gain of 150'. Super flat and shaded.
Click to see the 10 Mile Route on Strava
- The 5 Miler starts at 7:30am (to beat the heat) and has a 2:00 cutoff (24 minute/mile pace) which will work for all paces. Aid Stations with Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance at Mile 2.6. You run out 2.5 Miles and back. No turns, No cars! EZ! Net gain of 60'. Super flat and shaded.
Click to see the 5 Mile Route on Strava
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Men's and Women's cut short sleeve tech shirts for all.
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Parking at all Rail Trail lots and on the street.
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Poland Spring Water and Gatorade Endurance at the Aid Stations and finish.
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Custom 3" Finisher Medals for Ten Mile Finishers
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Custom Coffee Mug Awards for the Overall top 3 men and women as well as every 10-year division for both races.
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Porto-Lets at the Venue
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Free Finish Line Photos from EliteFeats
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Chip timed with Live Text & Email Results streaming
Inaugural Race Pricing:
TEN MILER: $60
FIVE MILER: $30
On-line registration ends at midnight on 7/30/2026.
We will have race day entry if we do not sell out. $65 / $35 Cash, Checks made out to "CASH" and Venmo to ShorelineSharks. NO CARDS ON RACE DAY
No Refunds. No Transfers, No Deferrals
Event details and schedule
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Sun, Sep 27, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
Run/Walk To Save a Life is in honor of Christopher Andreozzi who passed away suddenly from sudden cardiac death caused by an arrhythmia on May 23, 2023.
Christopher (Chris) was a lifelong resident of Hamden who graduated from Hamden High School, Trinity College, and Yale University. Chris was a devoted psychiatric APRN at Yale New Haven Hospital and Turnbridge. He was passionate about the care of his patients and believed that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the CJA Charitable Foundation, Inc.
All donations to the CJA Charitable Foundation, Inc. go directly toward furthering the Foundation’s mission of honoring the life and legacy of Christoper. The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and arrhythmias while equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools to respond to cardiac emergencies. Through CPR education, training and the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the Foundation empowers people to act confidently when every second counts.
In addition to its direct initiatives, the CJA Charitable Foundation proudly supports the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) Foundation and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Foundation also sponsors academic scholarships at Hamden High School and the Yale University School of Nursing, investing in the education of future healthcare leaders in Christopher’s memory.
Together, we can raise awareness, expand education, strengthen communities, and create a lasting impact in both the medical and academic fields — ultimately saving lives.
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Sat, Oct 03, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
Our 10th Annual Rail Trail 10K Race!
The Road Runners Club of America Eastern Region 10K Championship!
START TIME IS 8AM
THE COURSE
100% on the Rail Trail with no cars and no street crossings.
Flat and picturesque out-n-back running through Fall's natural beauty.
Venue: New Haven / Northampton
Railroad Canal Line Main Parking Lot
4340 Farmington Heritage Canal Trail
Hamden, CT. 06518
Plenty of parking in all Rail Trail lots plus on-street
Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance at Mile 2.4 and 3.6
Course Map on Strava
THE ENTRANT STUFF
Men's & Women's Cut Short Sleeve Tech T-shirts for all entrants.
Gorgeous 3” Custom Finisher Medals! BEST 10K MEDAL IN CT! You will have a choice of Medal Color!
Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance at the finish line for Finishers
Results are texted, emailed and live streaming.
Custom awards to the top 3 Men and Women overall and in all 5 year divisions (from 5 years old to 80+)
Porto-Lets at the venue
FREE Downloadable Race Photos and Finisher Certificate by EliteFeats
TIMING AND RESULTS
Transponder Timing and Results with “Gun” and “Net” time. Awards based on gun time.
Results will be live streaming and emailed and texted to you once you finish.
CUTOFFS AND EARLY STARTS
There are no time cutoffs and no early starts for this race.
THE HISTORY
2017: Our inaugural Rail Trail 10K Race debuted with a large field of runners. We are bringing the 10K back!
2020: The race was cancelled due to Covid19.
2021: We are back!
2023: We are the 10K State Championship for the Road Runners Club of America!
2024: We are once again the RRCA State Championship 10K.
2025: We are the RRCA State Championship for the 3rd year in a row!
2026: Our 10th Anniversary and the Road Runners Club of America Eastern Region Championship Race!
PRICING STRUCTURE
10/19/2025 - 12/31/2025: $55
1/1/2026 – 10/1/2026: $60
10/3/2025: $65 In-Person Registration
(Cash, Venmo, Checks made out to "CASH" only.
*No Cards on race day
TRANSFER & DEFERRAL INFO
You may TRANSFER your registration to another athlete until 9/3/2026 for $25.
This is done by you on-line through Active
THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
You may DEFER your entry to the 2026 Race until 9/3/2026 for $25, paid through our Venmo (ShorelineSharks) and email [email protected].
We will confirm the deferral and you will be manually removed from 2026 and manually entered into 2027.
THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE. NO EXCEPTIONS
*Active.com offers an insurance plan for a fee but we are not involved with that. Active will refund you, not us.
RACE DAY
Saturday 10/3/2026
Dawn is 6:23am, Sunrise is 6:51am
7:00am: Registration and Bib/Shirt Pickup Opens
7:45am: Registration and Bib/Shirt Pickup Closes
8:00am: Race Starts
8:35am: First Finishers
10:00am: Final Finishers & Venue Closed
New Haven / Northampton
Railroad Canal Line Main Parking Lot
4340 Farmington Heritage Canal Trail
Hamden, CT. 06518
Bring photo ID
PARKING
Plenty of parking at all of the Rail Trail lots and on the street (where legal)
No Parking at the Dunkin Donuts / Amity Liquors Lot
Google Map Link
Event details and schedule
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Sun, Oct 25, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
Proceeds from this event will benefit the House of Heroes Connecticut.
The mission of House of Heroes Connecticut (HOHCT) is to recognize, honor and serve Connecticut military and public safety veterans and/or their spouses who have served our country faithfully and sacrificially. They do this by providing one day, no-cost home repairs through partnerships with and the generosity of individuals, civic organizations and corporations. They are committed to growing the organization and advancing the mission to the ever-increasing numbers of veterans both in Connecticut and nationwide.
The Connecticut Chapter has provided no-cost home repairs to 276 Connecticut military and public safety veterans and/or their surviving spouses since 2012. Projects have been completed in 73 cities and towns throughout Connecticut. The organization will hit 286 projects by the end of the year.
This event is dedicated to honor Abner Oakes III, a Navy Veteran and the founder of the Hamden Veterans Commission. In 2010 Abner was inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame. Abner passed away May 29, 2021.
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Thu, Nov 26, 2026 at 7:30 AMSee full details
Please join us on Thanksgiving for our Annual Run Turkey Run 5K. A long-standing Thanksgiving tradition in Hamden, there is no better way to start your Thanksgiving Day than running or walking a 5K with family, friends and the community. Make it a 4-F day – Family, Food, Football & a Five K. (A bit of a stretch but you get the point).
Whether this is your first 5K or you have done this race every year, we welcome you and encourage you to dress for the occasion. From turkey hats to tutus and even full turkey and pilgrim costumes, it’s sure to be fun for all ages and a great way to get in a little exercise before the eating begins.
Our race begins nice and early (7:30 am) so it won’t interfere with any of the day’s other activities.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Hamden Community Services which supports Hamden’s Community Food and Resource Distribution Programs, Youth and Community Programs and Essential Emergency and Financial Assistance Programs.
Local Clubs & Organizations
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Club
USA Swimming Club. Safe Sport Recognized. 171 members.
[email protected] +1 203-464-6903 -
Club[email protected] (203) 530-3650