3 running events in West Haven, Connecticut

Connecticut's 2nd largest Marathon

Join us for our 16th Annual event and the Road Runners Club of America State Championship for the Marathon.

THE COURSE (small change for 2026)

Our course is challenging and starts off with 4 miles flat, followed by 5 hills in the next 5 miles and finishes downhill and flat for the final 4 miles. Do that twice for the Marathon.

1/3 of the course is along Long Island Sound.

Some roads will be partially closed (Police or Volunteers at most intersections) but most roads will be open.

Aid stations about every 2 miles beginning at Mile 2.5 stocked with Poland Spring Water and Gatorade Endurance.

Porto-Lets at Miles 4.5, 6.55, 13.1, 17.6, 21.5.

Half Marathon Course on Strava (2 loops for the Marathon)

USATF Certified Marathon Course: Coming Soon

Boston Marathon Qualifier.

USATF Certified Half Marathon Course: Coming Soon

Venue: Jimmie's of Savin Rock

5 Rock St. West Haven, CT. 06516

The Exterior of Jimmie's hosts registration, Porto-lets, awards, etc.

Go to the Beach Side

Park in the Jimmi's lot and we have the permit to park there, other beach lots.

THE ENTRANT STUFF

Men's and Women's cut Short Sleeve Tech T-Shirts for all entrants.

Custom Finisher medals for all Finishers. You will have a choice of 2 designs!

Poland Spring Water, Gatorade Endurance, fresh bagels, and bananas at the finish line for Finishers.

Custom awards to the top 3 Men and Women overall as well as in every 5-year division. (from 15 years old to 80+) Check to see if you won. We do not ship these after the race.

Award winners can immediately get their awards from the awards table. We do not have an award ceremony. Grab and go, don't waste the day waiting. Go into town and get a meal!

FREE downloadable Race photos and Finisher Certificate from Elite Feats.

The "Drop Down Guarantee" means that any Marathoner can drop down to the Half Marathon and be an official Half Marathon finisher. You can stop before the 2nd loop, or you can try the second loop and not complete it (Mile 17 is across the street from the venue). Your Half Marathon split time will be an official Half Marathon Finish. Many people do it every year. Just let the timer know and he/she will change it. You will not be eligible for awards.

Bibs and Shirts will ONLY be available during registration on race day. We do not keep or ship these.

TIMING AND RESULTS

Transponder Timing and Results with timing splits at 6.55, 13.1, 19.65 and 26.2.

CUTOFFS AND EARLY STARTS

Half Marathon Time cutoff is 4:30 or an 20 minute per mile pace. (There is NO EARLY START for the Half Marathon. All will start at 8am)

The Marathon Time cutoff is 6:30 which is 2pm (early start included).

The Second loop closes at 10:40am, so any Marathoner who has not started the second loop by then will become an official Half Marathon Finisher. No one at all can go out for loop 2 after 10:40am.

Those who plan to run a 5:30 hour to 6:30 Marathon, MUST start at 7:30am. There will be an organized Start.

Please do not sign up for the Marathon if you can't complete a hilly course in 6:30 or less.

NOTE: Early starts are only for those who will do a 5:30-6:30 range marathon. We can't have anyone else go early. You will be DQed if you start early and finish faster than 5:15-ish. We will look at each case that is close.

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!

1. 3/28/2026 The Savin Rock Marathon or Half Marathon

2. 5/23/2026 The Hamden Hills Half Marathon

3. 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

2004-2010: The race was run as the Shoreline Sharks Half Marathon and was the unofficial State Championship Half Marathon Race for Triathlon Clubs.

2011: The race was renamed The Savin Rock Half Marathon and a 5K was added. The event was opened to the public.

2015: The Marathon option was added (2 loops) and the course was USATF Measured and became an official Boston Marathon Qualifier.

The 5K is now held on Thanksgiving Day.

2020: 2 weeks before the race, Covid19 shut everything down and forced the postponement of the race to 2021, we were the RRCA State Championship for the Marathon & Half Marathon.

2021: The race was pushed to 10/30 due to the Covid19 shutdowns.

2022: We are back to the last Saturday in March and we are the RRCA State Championship for the Marathon.

2023: NOT the last Saturday in March due to Easter on 3/31 and we are the RRCA State Championship for the Marathon & Half Marathon.

2024: We were the RRCA State Championship again.

2025: We were the Eastern Region Championship for the Half Marathon and the State Championship for the Marathon.

PRICING STRUCTURE

10/17/2025 - 12/31/2025

Marathon $105

Half Marathon $75

1/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Marathon $115

Half Marathon $80

3/1/2026 - 3/26/2026

Marathon $125

Half Marathon $85

3/28/2026 Race day

In person, probable but not guaranteed

Cash, Checks, Venmo, PayPal only. No cards.

Marathon $130

Half Marathon $90

TRANSFER & DEFERRAL INFO

You may TRANSFER your registration to another athlete until 2/28/2026 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 Savin Rock Race until 2/28/2025 for $25 (Venmo to "ShorelineSharks") and email to [email protected]. We will confirm and manually remove you from 2026. You will be manually added to 2027. THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

NO REFUNDS /NO EXCEPTIONS

W will not reply to emails asking for a refund or exceptions to the deadlines.

*Active.com offers an insurance plan for a fee but we are not involved with that. They will charge a fee and they will refund you, not us.

RACE DAY

Saturday March 28,2026 (Dawn is 6:14am, Sunrise is 6:42am)

6:15am: Registration / Bib and Shirt Pickup Opens.

7:30am: Early Starters GO (Marathon Only)

7:45am: Registration / Bib and Shirt Pickup Closes.

8:00am: Marathon & Half Marathon Starts

9:15am: First Finishers for the Half Marathon

10:40am: First Finishers for the Marathon

10:40am: Start of the Second Loop closes

12:30pm: Final Half Marathon Finisher

2:00pm: Final Marathon Finishers and Venue Closes

Jimmie's of Savin Rock Exterior

(on the beach side)

5 Rock St. West Haven, CT. 06516

Bring photo ID

Event details and schedule

TRAVEL AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

Train Travel: West Haven Station

Metro North

Air Travel

West Haven, Connecticut can be accessed easily from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. (59 Miles away) as well as JFK International Airport (77 miles away) and LaGuardia International Airport, (70 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. *Tweed is a regional airport that may be an option too and is about 5 miles away.

Hotels

The closest (2 miles from the venue) hotels to stay in for the Savin Rock Marathon & Half Marathon are:

Hampton Inn Suites

510 Saw Mill Rd. West Haven, CT. 06516

Phone (203) 932-0404

Best Western Executive Hotel

490 Saw Mill Rd. West Haven, CT. 06516

Phone (203) 933-0344

Join us for the Savin Rock Waves of Hope 5K, a family-friendly run/walk along the beautiful West Haven shoreline presented by Cruz Roofing & Siding. This inspiring community event brings together runners, families, and supporters to raise awareness and critical funds for pediatric cancer, honoring the bravery, strength, and resilience of children fighting every day.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Savin Rock, the course follows the scenic beach path with views of the Long Island Sound, ocean breeze, and a supportive crowd cheering every step. Whether you’re running, walking, or pushing a stroller, this 5K is for all ages and all paces.

Every stride makes a difference. Your participation helps provide hope, relief, and resources to children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Lace up with purpose— and let’s turn the shoreline gold for the kids.