The 2023 Blessing of the Fleet 5K Race is an in-person timed race through historic Stonington Borough. Our certified course starts and ends at the Town Dock, 1 High Street, Stonington.

As an option, you can choose to register for a non-competitive 2-mile walk through town, starting and ending at the Town Dock, too.

When you register, you will receive an official 2023 race bib and a commemorative t-shirt when you register by July 4th.

2023 Race Registration = $25 per entry in advance. $30 race day registration.

Please direct specific race questions to [email protected]

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2023 Blessing of the Fleet 5K Road Race and 2-Mile Walk Note to Runners + Walkers:

The race will commence at 6PM at the Town Dock, 1 High Street Stonington. All runners and walkers should report to the starting area by 5:45 for final instructions from our race officials. Runners will start the race at 6:00 pm. Walkers- please congregate at the back of the pen and you will begin about 5 minutes after the runners start their race.

We have tried to anticipate all of the questions you may have about the event. If we have missed something, please send us an email in reply to this message and we’ll get right back to you. On race day, if you have any questions, use our RunReg page to contact us or call/text committee member Jennifer Fyke at 860-367-2132.

No Pets/Dogs Please: Town parks are public spaces and dogs are prohibited from the tent/green spaces at the Dock, and for the safety of our runners, walkers and spectators, dogs and pets are prohibited from race day events and the race.

Race Location and Parking: The race starts at the Stonington Town Dock in the Borough. Please use the parking lot at St. Mary Church, the Town Dock, or the side streets around the Church. If you’re coming early to pick up your bib and race bag (beginning at 4 PM), you can park at the Town Dock.

Race Check In: We will be under the big tent at the Town Dock beginning at 4PM. Upon check-in, you will receive a race bag (with a t-shirt if you registered by July 1), bib number, and other goodies. There will be on-site registration ($30) beginning at 4PM. If you have any running or walking buddies who would like to sign up, bring them along! Registration closes at 5:30 pm.

5K Race Route: The race is a 5K route through historic Stonington Village. You can find a map of the race route attached to this message. We start on the Town Dock heading East. Continue on to High St. Turn right onto Water St. heading South. Continue on Water St. Turn left onto Omega St. Turn left onto Hancox St. Turn left onto Diving St. Turn right onto Main St. Continue on Main St. to Mathews St. which turns into Water St. Continue on Water St. Turn left onto Diving St. Turn left onto Main St. Continue on Main St. to Mathews St. which turns into Water St. Turn right onto High St. Finish at the same line as the start on Town Dock. Head to the tent for water and recovery snacks.

2-Mile Walk Route: The 2 mile walk route starts at the same location as the 5K. Continue on to High Street, turn right onto Water Street. Turn left onto Omega Street. Turn left onto Hancox. Turn left onto Diving and then a right onto Main Street. Continue on Main Street to just before the library, turn left onto High Street and then a left back onto Water Street. Continue on Water Street until Cannon Square. Turn left in front of the cannons/bank and then turn left onto Main Street. Proceed down Main Street until just before the library and turn left onto High Street and follow it back to the Town Dock. Look for the BLUE FLAGS to the left for the WALK FINISH LINE, and head to the tent for water and recovery snacks.

Water Stations and Route Flags: We will have water stations staffed by volunteers at the 1 mile and 2 mile markers and in front of the Portuguese Club. Volunteers (wearing 5k race shirts) with flags and signage helping guide you through the course route.

Water Cups/Bottles: Our volunteers will pick up all trash and recycling. Please help us along the way, if you can. We’ll have bags and barrels for plastic bottles that need to be recycled. If you miss the opportunity to drop it off at a water station, please bring your plastic back to the Dock and we’ll collect it. Thank you!

Awards and Recognition: We will recognize and award the top race finishers in a variety of age-related categories, but in our book, you are ALL winners for coming together to acknowledge our fishing fleet and remember those who were lost at sea.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Volunteers: An event like this would not be possible without the generosity of businesses and individuals in our wonderful community. Special thanks to St. Mary Church, the Blessing of the Fleet Event Committee; our Platinum Sponsor-- Hopkinton Business Park, Professional Planning Group and SNS Electric Services, and all of our Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Anchor Sponsors, and prize donors, too. Thank you to our volunteers for helping make the race day events run smoothly for all our participants. Thank you to the Stonington Police Department and the Stonington Ambulance Corps.

Opportunity Prizes: After you check in and get ready for the race, take a look at our opportunity table with great opportunities to win gift baskets, and gift certificates to local establishments and stores. You can purchase tickets before the race begins.

But Wait, there’s more…The Blessing of the Fleet: This race is the kick-off to the actual Blessing of the Fleet, which takes place this Sunday, July 30 at St. Mary Church and the Town Dock. A mass in memory of our local fishermen lost at sea, and in honor of those who serve in our fishing fleet today, takes place at 10:30AM at St. Mary’s Church, followed by a parade/procession from the Town Dock at 12:00 noon, where the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich and Very Reverend Dennis M. Perkins, Pastor, St. Mary’s Church, will bless the boats and their crews and accompany the fleet to the breakwater to lay a wreath in memory of those fishermen lost at sea. Please join us under the big tent from 12noon-4PM for food, fun, and music. If you’re lining up to see the parade, you can find a shady spot on Water or Main Street, before Cannon Square. The route passes by St. Mary’s on its way back to the Dock.

AND MORE: On Saturday, July 29 from 11:00-2:30, please come down to the Town Dock to meet our Stonington fishermen and tour a working fishing vessel, learning how the catch is brought in. Learn what kinds of seafood are for sale locally this time of year, and how the fish is processed and prepared for market.

SATURDAY, JULY 29 from 4-8 p.m.: The Stonington Holy Ghost Society will host a gathering of family and friends to celebrate the Blessing. There will be live music and an assortment of delicious Portuguese foods, plus hamburgers and hot dogs. This event is a highlight of summer in Stonington - please join us for this super fun evening at The Club.

We are happy to answer any additional questions. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or issues before the race.

--The Blessing of the Fleet 5K Race Committee