Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness

The Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness

The Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness is an annual group running challenge that follows the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail from its northern end in West Suffield, CT to its terminus on the New Haven harbor. The route covers roughly 56 miles and passes through rural, suburban, and urban areas along a paved and flat corridor.

The event is organized as a fundraiser for Mental Health Connecticut. There is no entry fee, and participants are asked to donate or to raise funds on behalf of the organization.

This is not a race; it is an unsupported, end-to-end trek. Organizers provide a digital map with mile markers and plan several basic volunteer-run aid stations with a focus on safety. Aid stations may have limited staffing and simple supplies; participants should bring their own cup, hydration, and food as needed. Runners are encouraged to travel with a crew or coordinate group support.

All participants must be prepared to complete approximately 56 miles on their own and must have a backup plan for emergencies, medical needs, and transportation if they stop early. Required personal equipment includes a headlamp, spare batteries, and a means of communication and charging. There is a hard cut-off of 14 hours to complete the route. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.