Race Report: Run to the River 5k

 Today, I will be recapping the only race held annually in Deep River, CT: the Run to the River 5k.

Course Map

Date: 20 September, 2025

Town: Deep River, CT, USA

Distance: 5km

Conditions: The race was held on a very sunny morning, without a cloud in the sky. It was 61F when the race began at 9am.

Parking: It was very challenging to find parking. This race starts at athletic fields owned by the town's parks and recreation department; while there are a couple dozen parking spaces at this rec area, there were 100-200 runners. Some people parked on the grassy margins of the parking lot, others in the wide shoulder on the main road. When I arrived 30 minutes before the race start time, all of the decent overflow parking seemed to be taken, and I parked about a tenth of a mile down the main road at the Deep River Historical Society, right by the historical blue sign marker.

Check In: There was quite a long line to check in. Someone from the timing company walked up and down to line, telling folks to look up their bib numbers online to speed up the check in process. That worked, because I was checked in within 5 minutes of joining the line.

Course Description: This road race was shaped roughly like a figure eight. The first mile was mostly downhill, with some flat sections, leading from the athletic fields through a historic part of town. We passed a number of lovely historic brick buildings and some cute shops. We reached the Connecticut River around the halfway point of the race and were treated to the sight of the Essex Steam Riverboat moored at the dock. There was also an ambulance stationed at the parking lot next to the dock, but thankfully the only services rendered (to my knowledge) were crowd support measures from the friendly medics.

Afterparty: Music was playing over the speakers and spirits were high after the race. There were many baked treats donated by a local business, Adam's Hometown Market. There were 2 enormous boxes of muffins and two more with pastries. I chose a delightful chocolate filled croissant, but the muffins were also popular. Unfortunately, the water did run out before all of the runners finished, which was a good reminder to carry my own water. I did get a small cup before it ran out.