Race History

The Fairfield Road Races are a unique community event in Fairfield, Connecticut with a celebrated history of regional participation and broad-based community support. The races have gained national acclaim and a large international following. In 2008, a record field of over 3300 runners partcipated.

Two races - the half marathon (13.1 miles) and the 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) - field over 3,000 runners, including international stars and runners from across the country. Several thousand volunteers and spectators will line the course to support the runners.

On Sunday, June 28, 2009 the Fairfield Half Marathon will stage its twenty-ninth annual race. An event that started with just 200 runners has become one of the premier running events in the United States. Accolades for the race include being two-time host of the U.S. Women's National Half Marathon Championship, three-time host of the National Masters' Half Marathon Championship, and routinely selected as one of the country's top road races by Runner's World magazine.

The 5-kilometer race will be run again for the fourteenth year. Added to the schedule in 1995 to encourage more casual runners to participate in a race, the 5K has now become a popular family event.

The Fairfield Firefighters have hosted the event from the start and have stayed true to the mission of the Fairfield Road Races: to produce a national caliber sporting event and to donate the proceeds to local charities. This event is unique in Fairfield County in terms of its scope and quality; it is highly regarded and has become nationally acclaimed. The Fairfield Road Races receive tremendous positive exposure within the community. The success of the Fairfield Road Races is attributed to the generosity and commitment of all participants - the runners, volunteers, spectators, community and civic organizations - and particularly the financial, media and product sponsors.