Eversource to Continue Title Sponsorship of Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon Through 2019

The Hartford Marathon Foundation and Eversource announce the extension of the title sponsorship of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon through 2019. The 23rd running of the race takes place October 8, 2016, and is the third year of Eversource’s commitment to the premier Connecticut event, which provided $13.6 million in economic value to the region in 2015.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Eversource as we further efforts to support local communities, charities and runners,” said Beth Shluger, CEO of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and Race Director of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. “Eversource is a great partner with deep roots across the Northeast, a natural fit to support an event that brings in people from across the US to experience the best of Hartford and the surrounding areas.”

“The Eversource Hartford Marathon has truly become a marquee event for the state of Connecticut, bringing in millions of dollars in economic development opportunity,” said Tom May, Chairman, President and CEO of Eversource. “Thanks to the incredibly hard work of the HMF team, tens-of-thousands of runners, spectators and volunteers come together to create one of the best marathons in the nation. We have enjoyed such tremendous success over these past two years – it’s why we proudly embraced the opportunity to continue our partnership through 2019.”

The 2015 event generated an estimated $13.6 million of economic value for the area, according to a report by Witan Intelligence, Inc. Approximately 67,000 spectators, participants and volunteers visited the Hartford area for the race, spending an estimated $9.1 million on lodging, shopping and dining, which in turn, supported jobs and “indirect spending” on payroll, goods and services, according to the report.

Support of youth fitness continues to be a priority of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. Approximately 2,900 children participated in the event, between 2,400 students from 28 local schools involved in the HMF FitKids in School program and race day’s HMF FitKids’ ¼ mile, ½ mile and one-mile races. Additionally, $3,000 was donated to benefit local student athletes on Windsor High School’s boys track team, Tolland High School’s girls track team and the Weaver High School track program.

Thousands of runners are motivated to use the race to raise funds on behalf of various charities and causes. Since the official charity program began in 1994, more than $6 million has been raised for those charity partners alone, which support community and philanthropic initiatives across the region. In 2015, the 10-member Aiello Inspiration Team exclusively featured runners involved in the event to benefit charity. More runners are participating on behalf of charity than ever before.

Registration is currently open and more information about the Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K and HMF FitKids events can be found at www.HartfordMarathon.com, on Facebook at HMF Events or via Twitter at @RunHMF.

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation
The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes approximately 42 annual athletic races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, and training programs for young runners. For more information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and follow on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter at @runHMF and Instagram at HMF_Events.

About Eversource
Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity to 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns and provides natural gas to 222,000 customers in 72 communities in Connecticut. Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCT) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceCT).

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160201006046/en/