Hundreds of Runners Gathered on March 30 to Race the Train in Support of Behavioral Healthcare Services at CHR and Three Local Nonprofits
WINDSOR, Conn. – On Sunday, March 30, 2025, hundreds of runners, spectators, and volunteers gathered from across the country for CHR’s Steam Train Half Marathon and Relay at the Essex Steam Train in Essex, CT. The Steam Train Half Marathon & Relay is just one of only two half marathons worldwide where runners “race” against a historic steam train. This year, a record number of athletes participated, including people from more than 21 states and the District of Columbia.
Community Health Resources (CHR), the state’s most comprehensive, nonprofit behavioral healthcare agency, was the primary beneficiary of the event, and proceeds also supported the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department, Essex Library, and The Nest/A Little Compassion Inc.
“We are so grateful to our friends 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 participated as a runner or rode along on the train, you were supporting mental health and addiction services for children, families, and adults from across Connecticut.”
CHR is incredibly thankful to lead sponsors, including Mutual of America, Tartsinis, LLC., Professional Properties of Enfield, Inc., The Alera Group, Shipman & Goodwin LLP., the Perakis family, Paul Bailey Architects, Howard and Ann Orr, and Heather Gates.
View live coverage from this incredible event from WFSB, also shared on our YouTube channel, as well as from WTNH.
About CHR: With a broad range of services for children, families, and adults whose lives have been touched by mental illness, addiction, trauma, and homelessness, CHR is the state’s most comprehensive nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider. In addition, CHR was the first nonprofit in CT to meet all 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.
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