Fairfield, CT: Last year’s Athletic Brewing Fairfield Road Races drew over 4,000 runners and this weekend’s event is expected to have nearly 4,500 participants. It will be the first foot race this year in Connecticut to have over 4,000 entrants.
“We’re proud to continue our support of this incredible community event,” said Bill Shufelt, Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing Company. “The Fairfield Half Marathon was one of the first road races where we sampled our non-alcoholic brews back in 2018, and it’s been close to our hearts ever since. John Walker, my fellow co-founder, and I are Connecticut natives, so being part of this event is especially meaningful. We’re excited to share our great-tasting brews with participants and spectators this summer.”
The Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Race returns this Saturday and Sunday with the signature two-day event at Jennings Beach in Fairfield, CT.
On Saturday, May 31, the 5K, Lil’ Stags Kids Fun Run, and 2nd annual Athletic Brewing Beer Mile will all be run. The half marathon will be held on Sunday, June 1. The “Lucas Challenge” sponsored by Fairfield University, challenges runners to conquer both the half marathon and the 5k, totaling 16.2 miles during both days of the race weekend.
The Post-Race Beach Party, a runner favorite, features live music, food vendors, and an awards ceremony. The race also includes a number of bands and cheer groups along the half marathon and 5K racecourses that cheer on all the runners as they pass.
Longtime race announcer, Mark Gilhuly, passed away last fall after a courageous battle with cancer. He will be honored at this year’s race with a moment of silence before the start of each day’s races and with an arch welcoming runners before they get to the finish line.
The Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Race is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports a number of local charities each year. The Fairfield YMCA, Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, Ben’s Lighthouse, and Hole in the Wall Gang Camp are just a few of the organizations that receive thousands of dollars of annual support from the event.
The Athletic Brewing Company Fairfield Road Race is hosted by the Fairfield Fire Fighters and Fire Department. Other race sponsors include Fairfield University, Gameday Men’s Health, MJP Wealth Advisors, O’Reilly Electric, Connecticut Orthopaedics, Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center, Cigna Healthcare, Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, Star 99.9, and AMR.
Athletic Brewing Company is America's largest dedicated non-alcoholic brewer. Athletic is revolutionizing how modern adults drink by crafting game-changing NA brews that can be consumed anytime and anywhere. Launched commercially in 2018, Athletic is the number one non-alcoholic beer brand in America1 and a top 20 U.S. brewing company2. Its award-winning brews are available nationwide at over 75,000 retail locations. Athletic operates custom breweries in Connecticut and California and donates up to $2 million annually to protecting and restoring outdoor spaces across the globe via its Two For The Trails program. Athletic is proudly a Certified B Corporation™. Learn more and shop at www.athleticbrewing.com.
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1 NielsenIQ, Total US xAOC + Liq Plus + Conv, CYTD Wks ending 4/19/25.
2 Brewers Association Top 50 U.S. Brewing Companies