Mitten Run 5K Attracts More Than 2,000 Runners

The cold, foggy morning certainly did not chill the enthusiastic crowd of runners who showed up in West Hartford Center Sunday morning for the Hartford Marathon Foundation's final race of the 2012 season.

Race organizers' unofficial reports were that approximately 2,500 runners and walkers had registered for the Blue Back Mitten Run, which included a 5K as well as two shorter kids' runs. The race start was delayed more than 15 minutes to allow for last minute registrations and packet pickup.

United HealthCare was the presenting sponsor for the race, which also served as a fundraiser for West Hartford's Town That Cares Fund. Thousands of mittens, hats, and scarves were collected and will be distrubuted through West Hartford's Department of Human and Leisure Services.

A new course record was set Sunday by 34-year-old Chris Mayer of Middlefield, who finished the race in 16:04:22.

Christopher McCormack of Meridan was second in 17:00.59. West Hartford's first finisher, Patrick Seelig, was third overall with a time of 17:02.62.

The first woman to cross the finish line was Kristin Weisse of Farmington, in 18:21.21.

Fast times run in the family for many West Hartford residents including Conard High School senior Evan Ferguson-Hull who finished seventh overall and second in the M15-19 age group with a time of 17:33.09. Younger brother and fellow Conard runner Alec finished in 20:40.02.

Sisters Maggie (F15-19, 22:37.66), a Conard junior, and Gwen Geisler (F10-14, 22:35.53), a Sedgwick 8th grader, both brought home second place medals in their age groups.

Conard senior Jamie Oriol (22:13.09) of West Hartford won the F15-19 age group, following in the footsteps of her dad, Seth Oriol, who was first in the M50-54 with a time of 19:08.26.

Complete results can be found on Cool Running's website or through the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

Following the race, runners enjoyed a treat of chocolate milk and cookies in Blue Back Square.

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