Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness
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The Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness
The Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness is an annual group running challenge held on September 12, 2026. The 8th edition asks participants to traverse the state of Connecticut north to south along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. The event is a fundraiser for Mental Health Connecticut.
The route begins at the northern end of the trail in West Suffield and follows the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail for roughly 56 miles to its terminus on the harbor in New Haven. The course passes through rural, suburban, and urban areas and is described as scenic and very flat along most of the route.
There is no event fee, but runners are asked to donate to or raise funds for Mental Health Connecticut; organizers suggest a $56 donation as an example. The event is explicitly not a race and is organized to encourage physical activity and charitable support.
This trek is largely unsupported. Participants receive a digital map with mile markers that correspond to convenience stores and other stops. Volunteers provide several very basic aid stations that may be limited in staffing and supplies. Runners are encouraged to carry a headlamp, spare batteries, hydration, a cell phone and backup charger, and to have a backup plan for emergencies and transport. All participants must arrange their own transportation to the start and from the finish.
There is a hard cut-off of 14 hours to complete the route; runners should be prepared to manage their own pacing and safety throughout the journey. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
