Race History

The Fairfield Road Races are a unique community event in Fairfield, Connecticut. The event has a celebrated history of regional participation and broad-based community support. The races have gained national acclaim and a large international following. The half marathon (13.1 miles) and the 5K (3.1 miles) fields over 6,000 runners annually, bringing international stars and runners from across the country. Several thousand volunteers and spectators line the course each year to support the runners.

The Fairfield Firefighters have hosted the event from the start. The Fairfield Firefighters have stayed true to the mission of the Fairfield Road Races: to produce a national caliber sporting event and to donate the proceeds to local charities.

In 1981, the half marathon began with just 200 runners. Accolades for the race include being a two-time host of the U.S. Women’s National Half Marathon Championship and three-time host of the National Masters’ Half Marathon Championship. The Fairfield Road Races are routinely selected as one of the country’s top road races by Runner’s World Magazine.

The 5K race was added to the schedule in 1995 to encourage more casual runners to participate in the event. The 5K has now become a popular family event and given its own day on the Saturday prior to the signature half marathon. In 2016, nearly 1,700 runners signed up.

Ever reaching out to find even more community support, the Fairfield Road Races teamed up with Fairfield University. In 2016, first annual Lucas Challenge took place. Named after Fairfield University’s mascot, the Lucas Challenge is to run both the 5k and half marathon encompassing 16.2 miles in under 24 hours. Participants are awarded a unique finishers package. Our maiden year was a large success with over 150 participants.

The Fairfield Road Races receive tremendous positive exposure within the community. The success of the Fairfield Road Races is attributed to the generosity and commitment of all participants – runners, volunteers, spectators, community and civic organizations – and particularly our financial, media and product sponsors.