Steam Train Half Marathon & Relay

CHR's Steam Train Half Marathon & Relay

The 2025 Steam Train Half Marathon & Relay will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 10am! Race information can be found on RunSignup.

Proceeds will benefit Community Health Resources (CHR), an essential behavioral healthcare provider, as well as three local nonprofits: the Essex Public Library in Essex, the Deep River Fire Department, and The Nest Coffee House / A Little Compassion Inc.

History of the Steam Train Half Marathon

The Steam Train Half Marathon and Relay is the only road race in the country where runners try to outrun a century-old Steam Train. Originally founded by Team Making a Difference (MAD), the Steam Train Half Marathon brings friends and family members from across the country together each year to support CHR. Learn more about the history of the event here.

Event Information

Race Information

Location: Essex Steam Train, 1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426

Day of Race Packet Pick-Up: Sunday, March 30 at Essex Steam Train starting at 8:00am

Train Tickets: Spectator tickets are SOLD OUT to accommodate spectators who already purchased their tickets and our relay teams. However, friends and family are encouraged to cheer runners on from the finish line!

Parking:

Primary Lot: Essex Steam Train, 1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426
Overflow Lot: Tower Laboratories Ltd, 8 Industrial Park Rd, Centerbrook, CT 06409
*Once the Essex Steam Train lot has reached capacity, we will direct runners to our overflow lot just down the road at Tower Laboratories. There will be signage and volunteers to direct you.

Race Day Schedule

8:00am: Day-of check-in begins
9:45am: Relay second-leg runners board train; First-leg runners line up at the starting line
10am: Race kicks off and train leaves Essex Steam Train
10:20am: Train stops briefly at Deep River Landing to drop off second set of relay runners
10:25am: Train departs Deep River Landing, heading North
11:25am: Train will return to Deep River Landing / pick up first set of relay runners
- Train will remain stationary at Deep River Landing from 11:25am – 11:55am
12:00pm: Doors open for the after-party at Surfridge Brewing Company (6 Main Street, Building 3, Essex)
12:20pm: Train arrives at Essex Steam Train
1pm:
1pm: The course closes
- At 1:00pm the course will be shut down, which means that all directional signs, water stops, volunteers and uniformed police will be removed from the course, the finish line will shut down, and the roads will reopen to traffic. We will have a sweep vehicle to pick up anyone who cannot finish.

Sponsorships

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, review our sponsorship flyer and contact Eliza Patterson, CHR’s Development and Communications Manager, at epatterson@chrhealth.org.

Volunteers

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, view our listing on VolunteerMatch or contact Eliza Patterson, CHR’s Development and Communications Manager, at epatterson@chrhealth.org.