Red Dress Run Encourages Woman to Be Healthy and Fit

A thousand women crossed the finish line in Elizabeth Park Saturday, for the 19th annual Red Dress Run for Women. The 5K walk and run is the largest all-women’s road race in Connecticut.

“Both a celebration of women’s fitness and an awareness campaign for women to get healthy and fit,” said Race Director and Hartford Marathon Foundation CEO Beth Shluger.

Coleen Tighe’s running ritual with her 11-year-old niece Phoebe started with a trip to the fabric store. Wearing tulle tutus, they fit right in with the rest of the runners and walkers who “Rocked the Red,” Saturday. Some wore red dresses while others put on costumes.

“We just like dressing up and we think that adds to the fun of it,” said Tighe, of Simsbury. “I think everyone’s trying to have a good time with getting healthy and staying fit.”

“It’s fun to do it with people you like so you’re kind of talking the whole time. It gets your mind off of it,” added Phoebe Johnston, of West Hartford.

Johnston, who has run in this race before with her aunt, said it’s one of her favorites.

“I like how everyone’s so upbeat and there’s people everywhere saying you’re so close,” she said.

In addition to promoting health, participants were also asked to donate canned goods to the local food bank.

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