A story of weight loss and community from Glastonbury resident

In just one year, Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch lost 60 pounds through running and has kept it off for 13 years.

When she first went out for a run in college, Anne couldn’t even make it to the end of the street. But she was stubbornly committed to losing weight and kept pushing herself to go further and further. She moved to Connecticut in 2014 and became active in the local running community, pledging to run all 169 towns in the state. She made friends along the way and inspired others through her determination and grit. She ran her first full marathon in Hartford last year and she’ll be back in the capitol city this October for the half.

Anne has been named to the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s 2018 Aiello Inspiration Team, a small group of local participants with incredible reasons for stepping up to the start line at the 25th running of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, October 13, 2018, in Bushnell Park, Hartford. This year’s team highlights inspiring individuals who have shared meaningful history with HMF’s signature annual event since it began in 1994, which has expanded to include Marathon, Half marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K. There's a distance for everyone- runners, walkers, families, charities and volunteers- to come together in a moving display of community spirit.

“We’re excited to recognize this inspiring group of people for our 25th celebration,” said Beth Shluger, CEO of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and Race Director of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. “All of them have some connection to our signature event in Hartford – whether it was their first marathon, their first race or a meaningful moment in their lives. The people make race day so special - participants, volunteers, spectators and partners - they’re a huge part of our history and we look forward to honoring this group to represent them this year.”

The Hartford Marathon Foundation is joined by Aiello Home Services, sponsor of the team, in the effort to recognize individuals whose determination and perseverance serve as an inspiration and motivation for others.

Don't miss the 25th running celebrations at the biggest race day in Connecticut- sign up to run, walk or volunteer at HartfordMarathon.com.

About the Hartford Marathon Foundation

The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes more than 30 annual athletic races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, and training programs for youth runners. For more information, visit http://www.HartfordMarathon.com and on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter at@RunHMF and Instagram at HMF_Events.