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04/21/2022 12:01 AMThe Community Health Resources (CHR Steam Train Half Marathon and Relay, one of the only half marathons in the world that races a steam train, will be back for its first live event since the pandemic hit on Saturday, April 23, starting and ending from the Essex Steam Train, 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex.
CHR, the state’s most comprehensive, nonprofit behavioral healthcare agency, will be the main beneficiary of the event and proceeds will also support the Connecticut River Museum in Essex and the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department.
At 8 a.m. on April 23, runners will follow the steam train as it leaves the Essex station. The train will traverse through Essex and points north, following the Connecticut River before stopping at the Deep River station, where the relay runners will trade places.
Upon leaving Deep River, the train will make its way back to the Essex station, a round-trip of approximately 2 ½ hours. While the runners will follow a different course, all runners who make it back to the station before the train will win a commemorative train whistle for beating the train.
“We are so grateful to our friends and colleagues at the Essex Stream Train and the towns of Essex and Deep River for allowing us to host this creative and unique event once again,” said Heather Gates, president and CEO of CHR. “Whether you participate as a runner or ride along on the train, it’s a beautiful course and you can feel good about supporting mental health and addiction services for children, families, and adults from across Connecticut.”
“CHR was here for the community throughout the pandemic and we’re working hard to meet the profound needs that so many people are experiencing today,” she said.
The half marathon is 13.1 miles through the picturesque towns of Essex and Deep River. The relay portion is 7 or 6.1 miles and is a great way to split the course with friends. Registration is still open for both events at www.chrhealth.org.
Not a runner? There are other ways to participate, including:
• Riding on the steam train that morning and cheering runners along. This is a popular option for families with young children. Tickets are just $25 and can be purchased at shorturl.at/oBQU7. Please note that all riders must be on board by 7:45 a.m.
• Volunteering with a variety of tasks that morning. To learn more, contact epatterson@chrhealth.org.
• Making a donation of any amount to support CHR, which is the primary beneficiary of this event at www.chrhealth.org.
Lead sponsors include Mutual of America, Tartsinis, LLC, Professional Properties of Enfield, Inc., Howard and Ann Orr, Heather Gates, CHR’s executive management team, Michael Kearney, Middlesex Hospital, and Shipman & Goodwin, LLP. CHR’s Steam Train Half Marathon and Relay also secured many local sponsors including Deep River Roasters and the Surfridge Brewery, both of which are located near the steam train and will be open during special hours on race day.
About CHR: Now offering services through the convenience of telehealth as well as in-person care, CHR is Connecticut’s most comprehensive, nonprofit behavioral healthcare agency. In addition, CHR was the first nonprofit agency in Connecticut to meet all of the rigorous federal criteria as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and has repeatedly been named among the Top Workplaces in the state. Learn more at www.chrhealth.org.