SoNo Half Marathon, 5K OK’d for return

NORWALK — The SoNo Half Marathon and 5K races are scheduled to take place Oct. 20 with at roughly

1,500 runners expected to participate.

“I think it’s a great thing,” race director James Whipple recently told the Norwalk Traffic Authority. “As a runner, I think it’s a phenomenal thing for the city.”

The races, sponsored by local businesses, raises money for local charities such as the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, the Open Door Shelter and Family & Children’s Agency. Oct. 20 will mark the fourth year of the race. Whipple hopes to see $100,000 raised over the four-year period.

But holding the races also requires road closures. Last year, that led to complaints being filed with the city.

At its September meeting, the Norwalk Traffic Authority approved the routes and road closures for the Oct. 20 races with the understanding that police look for ways to reduce the disruptions.

“What I would like is if the chief could organize through the deputies and Sgt. (Sofia) Gulino and Lt. (Terry) Blake and perhaps the traffic department and yourself an after-action debriefing so we can know what the complaints are,” Rilling, traffic authority chairman, told Whipple. “What the problems were, the logistical things that perhaps we could have done a little bit better. … Every little improvement we make is going to help.”

The Half Marathon and

5K races are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and 9:10 a.m., respectively, from Veterans Memorial Park. The 5K race will take runners across the Stroffolino Bridge into SoNo and back. The marathon will take runners through SoNo, Rowayton and central and East Norwalk, under the approved routes.

“People love Highland Avenue, they love Rowayton and they love Oyster Shell, they love the beach,” Whipple told the traffic authority. “But it is tough, so hopefully, it goes much smoother this year.”

SoNo Half Marathon/5K has posted the road closures and times on its website and advised motorists to expect delays. For example, Washington Street will be closed from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and eastbound Seaview Avenue from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The northbound Interstate 95 Exit 16 ramp will be closed from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For the full closure list, visit www.sonohalf.com.

Last year’s races generated a number of complaints about road closures, according to police.

“The primary complaints were from area residents who could not access specific areas along the race route for a period of time, including returning home in some cases, as the roads or intersections were temporarily closed,” wrote Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik in an email. “I’m not sure the specific number of complaints. I know we received several at the PD and come voiced to officers during the event, but I believe many went directly to the Mayor’s Office.”

At the same time, Kulhawik said the city also received positive feedback about the event.

“We did hear a lot of positive comments as well of the organization of the event as well as what it brings to the city and SONO,” Kulhawik wrote.