SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2021

PROGRAM UPDATE (6.23.20)

Dear Prospective Runners,

Thank you for your interest in this year’s New England Finest (NEF) and Elite runner programs. We believe that these programs are one of the cornerstones of what makes our event so unique and special, year after year. With that, I want to inform you that due to the ongoing pandemic, 2020 event plans are being reviewed with municipal and community partners to thoroughly assess all public health considerations, and decision on the status will be made shortly to allow all involved the time to plan accordingly. Since we do not have clarification at this time, we are temporarily postponing our approval process for this year NEF and Elite Programs to Friday, July 31st, 2020.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay motivated, keep running, and best of luck with your training!

DETAILS

Two elite programs are available for athletes of the Eversource Hartford Marathon & Half Marathon:

• New England’s Finest (NEF) recognizes talented runners from New England/New York and provides exclusive prize money, travel, accommodations and activities throughout the weekend.
• Eversource Hartford Marathon Elite Program is available for runners who live outside New England/New York, and includes complimentary entry into the event.

STANDARDS

To apply to either the NEF or Elite Program, runners must achieve the following finish times between October 2018 and July 2020.

Marathon (Open): Men 2:30, Women 2:55
Half Marathon (Open): Men 1:10, Women 1:20

Marathon (Masters): Men 2:40, Women 3:05
Half Marathon (Masters): Men 1:15, Women 1:25

NEW ENGLAND’S FINEST

Elite runners from New England or New York (determined by the state in which runners are registered to vote) can be recognized by the Hartford Marathon Foundation and New England Runner magazine as New England’s Finest runners and provided with these program benefits:

• Complimentary race entry for athlete and one traveling companion
• Additional prize money above standard awards. New England’s Finest bonus money corresponds to the finishing place of program participants. Details…
• One room hotel accommodations for one night (Friday, October 9th). Please note, athletes living within 40 miles of Hartford are not eligible for hotel accommodations
• Mileage reimbursement ($.50 per mile, not to exceed $150)
• New England’s Finest technical apparel
• Personalized race bib
• New England’s Finest runner bios and photos in a special supplement in the September 2020 edition of New England Runner magazine.
• Special assistance from Elite Athlete committee, including fluid placement on course, pre-race course review, escort to race start
• Access to Elite Athlete Hospitality Suite in the host hotel
• Access to the Elite Athlete Tent at race start/finish (massage, refreshments, facilities)

To apply, athletes must complete the following form by June 14th, 2020 July 31st, 2020. Spots are limited. After all submissions have been received, the Elite / NEF Committee will come to a decision shortly after. All athletes will be contacted regardless of the outcome of their submission.

Approved NEF applicants then must confirm participation, complete the NEF Questionnaire and return it with a brief running resume/biography to the HMF Elite Coordinator by Friday, July 24, 2020 Friday, August 7, 2020. Race registration will be online for all NEF athletes after acceptance into the program.

ELITES

Elite runners from outside New England or New York that have reached the standards above, can still receive complimentary entry into the event. Athletes must submit a completed Elite Runner Questionnaire and a running resume/biography to the HMF Elite Coordinator by Friday, July 31, 2020 to be considered for elite athlete status and to receive elite athlete benefits. Please be advised, the event only has a limited number of elite entries available. They’ll be distributed on first come, first serve basis.

Athletes will be notified by mid-August if they have been accepted into the Elite Program. Elite athletes in the marathon or half marathon are provided with complimentary entry. No travel assistance or accommodations are provided.

Federal Income Tax Withholding on Prize Money:

• To avoid a 30% tax on your prize money, US and Resident Foreign Athletes must possess a Social Security # and submit a copy of his/her Social Security Card.
• Non-Resident Athletes are subject to a 30% Federal Income Tax withholding
• For more information on USA Track & Field and on Non-Resident Tax Withholding, please contact the national USATF office at 317.261.0500

The Eversource Hartford Marathon also has a Seeded Entrant option for qualified runners. More…