Donny Marshall is taking his name out of the record books and putting it on a community race.
The former UConn men’s basketball standout is joining forces with the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford for “Donny’s Dash,” a 5K run and 1-mile fitness walk set for Sunday, Oct. 25. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center and is being produced by the Hartford Marathon Foundation, with support from Hartford HealthCare.
The event comes with a Halloween twist. Organizers are calling for a festive day on the course, and prizes will go to the most inventive Halloween attire.
“The work that the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford does to engage young people is so important to our community, and we are grateful to all of the partners who are coming together to support Donny’s Dash this year to ensure that this work can continue,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in a release.
Marshall said the event reflects what he sees from the club’s work in Hartford.
“I see first-hand the importance of providing a positive and safe place for Hartford’s youth,” Marshall said. “Join us for a ‘Scary Good Fall Run’ and Walk in the picture-perfect Farmington River Valley.”
Donny’s Dash is open to runners and walkers of all abilities, ages, and fitness levels. Youth 16 and under can participate free of charge, and children ages 2-11 are also eligible for the free Hartford Yard Goats Fun Run. The race also gives Club kids a special chance to take part in the fundraising event.
Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said the town is glad to have the event back.
“Simsbury is excited to welcome Donny’s Dash back for its 4th year running - and walking! - through the Farmington Valley. As part of the Hartford region, we are always happy to support our neighbors, including the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford. We look forward to this event in our backyard at the Simsbury Performing Arts Center,” said Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis.
After the race, participants can stick around for “SoleFest,” which will include food, music, and fun. Runners and walkers 21 and older will also get free Lawson’s Finest Liquids. Prizes for participants will come from America’s oldest bell maker, Bevin Bell, along with Fleet Feet West Hartford/Glastonbury.
In Other News...
UConn Faces A Real Test As UMass Brings A New Problem To The Rent
UMass has gone from winless a year ago to 4-0 entering its trip to The Rent, giving the Battle for the Southwick Jug a different feel than UConn usually gets in this matchup. The Minutemen also expect quarterback William Pop Watson III back from an ankle injury, which adds another layer for a Huskies team trying to sort out its own footing as conference play and the deeper part of the schedule start to press in.
UConn coach Jason Candle said his staff is preparing for Watsons return while also pushing his team to get better in the run game and tighten up against the pass. For the Huskies, the challenge is not just stopping a surging opponent, but proving they can control a game on both sides of the ball against a team that no longer looks like the same easy landing spot it once did. [Read more 🡒]
Hurley Sees One Big Reason UConn Can Get Much Better
UConn has handled its first two exhibition tests, beating Syracuse and Michigan State, but Dan Hurley still sees room for this group to climb before the games start counting. The Huskies have shown defensive strength early, which is usually where Hurley wants his team to set the tone anyway, and the coach has pointed to the roster as one that can keep improving as the preseason winds down.
One obvious piece of that puzzle has been missing. Sophomore Braylon Mullins has sat out both exhibition games with an undisclosed injury, leaving UConn to keep piecing together its offense while it waits for a fuller look at the rotation. With Purdue up next in the final exhibition and the regular season set to begin on Nov. 2, the Huskies still have time to sharpen things before the real schedule begins. [Read more 🡒]
UConn Gets A Rare Rivalry Stage To Prove Something Friday Night
A rare Friday night spotlight is coming to Storrs, where UConn will host UMass in a rivalry game that carries a little more weight than the usual late-season meeting. It is the first meaningful matchup between the programs in nearly three decades, and the Huskies get a home stage after a bye week that was supposed to help them recover, reset and sharpen up after an uneven start.
Jason Candle and his players have been leaning into the idea of responding to adversity and closing out games the right way, a theme that has followed UConn through some of its most resilient stretches this season. For a team trying to build momentum and improve at home, this one offers a chance not just to win a rivalry game, but to show that the lessons from the bye week are starting to stick when the lights are on. [Read more 🡒]