Believe 208: Run for the Brave and Finest

Last updated
Believe 208: Run for the Brave and Finest
Believe-208.jpg
DateSunday, September 28, 2025
Location East Hartford, Connecticut, United States Flag of the United States.svg
Event type Road
Distance 5K (3.1 miles)
Established2013

Believe 208: Run for the Brave and Finest is an annual 5-kilometer road race conducted in East Hartford, Connecticut. [1] The event remembers those who passed away by suicide. [2] The primary objective of the race is to raise awareness and obtain funding for mental health initiatives geared towards first responders, specifically through the Project B.L.U.E. 208 program organized by the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE). [3]

Contents

Purpose and mission

The race was established by Trish Buchanan in 2013 to honor Officer Paul Buchanan of the East Hartford Police Department. His passing inspired a movement to confront the stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement, symbolized by his badge number, 208. [4]

The race aims to support Believe 208, an initiative developed in collaboration with the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE). Believe 208's primary objective is to enhance awareness regarding the challenges encountered by first responders, educate law enforcement personnel and their families, and provide essential resources that promote mental well-being. The proceeds generated from the race will be allocated to training, outreach, and support services for first responders and their families. [5]

Medallist

Men's individual

YearGoldSilverBronze
2014 [6] Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:19:28.0Flag of the United States.svg Chris Yarsawich (USA)0:19:30.0Flag of the United States.svg Jason Earl (USA)0:19:59.0
2015 [7] Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:18:55.4Flag of the United States.svg Josh Pasay (USA)0:19:05.5Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Herzog (USA)0:19:44.8
2016 [8] Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:18:18.7Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Herzog (USA)0:18:41.5Flag of the United States.svg Michael Alquist (USA)0:18:58.7
2017 [9] Flag of the United States.svg Matt Woodward (USA)0:19:07.4Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:19:07.9Flag of the United States.svg Michael Alquist (USA)0:19:34.2
2018 [10] Flag of the United States.svg Jeremiah Cislak (USA)0:17:25.9Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:18:24.0Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Herzog (USA)0:18:31.7
2019 [11] Flag of the United States.svg Weston Labrecque (USA)0:17:30.1Flag of the United States.svg Jared Burchell (USA)0:17:34.0Flag of the United States.svg Calvin Reynoso (USA)0:17:58.8
2021 [12] Flag of the United States.svg  Jared Buchanan  (USA)0:18:35.0Flag of the United States.svg Matthew Woodward (USA)0:18:50.0Flag of the United States.svg Quinn Handler (USA)0:19:04.0

Women's individual

YearGoldSilverBronze
2014 [6] Flag of the United States.svg Sarah Simmons (USA)0:21:34.0Flag of the United States.svg Dianna Hyland (USA)0:22:55.0Flag of the United States.svg Emily Miele (USA)0:23:24.0
2015 [7] Flag of the United States.svg Christina Williams (USA)0:21:53.2Flag of the United States.svg Kathleen Ferrucci (USA)0:23:12.3Flag of the United States.svg Tammy Hanson (USA)0:23:35.2
2016 [8] Flag of the United States.svg Christina Williams (USA)0:21:46.6Flag of the United States.svg Rebecca Wise (USA)0:22:26.3Flag of the United States.svg Grace Strauch (USA)0:22:48.6
2017 [9] Flag of the United States.svg Pam Moore (USA)0:20:31.6Flag of the United States.svg Candace Walsh (USA)0:22:16.5Flag of the United States.svg Samantha Moberger (USA)0:22:34.9
2018 [10] Flag of the United States.svg Christina Williams (USA)0:21:15.8Flag of the United States.svg Michelle Hill (USA)0:22:21.2Flag of the United States.svg Bridget Kearney (USA)0:22:41.3
2019 [11] Flag of the United States.svg Kristina Miner (USA)0:19:50.0Flag of the United States.svg Ashley O�Connell (USA)0:22:51.9Flag of the United States.svg Olivia Zulick (USA)0:23:05.0
2021 [12] Flag of the United States.svg Grace Mitchell (USA)0:20:45.0Flag of the United States.svg Sarah Stoddard (USA)0:21:36.0Flag of the United States.svg Rachel Hartley (USA)0:22:25.0

References

  1. ↑ "Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement Inc". WVIT . 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Believe 208 Run Held In Memory Of Officer Paul Buchanan". Hartford Courant . 12 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Believe 208: Run for the Brave and Finest, 10th Annual Race". Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement Inc. 30 July 2025. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "Believe 208 5K Honors First Responders Lost to Suicide". WVIT . 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "Believe 208: Run for the Brave and Finest 5K". easthartfordct.gov. 29 September 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Sep 28, 2014". itsyourrace.com. 28 September 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Sep 20, 2015". itsyourrace.com. 20 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Oct 2, 2016". iresultslive.com. 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Sep 24, 2017". iresultslive.com. 24 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday Sep 30, 2018". iresultslive.com. 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Sep 29, 2019". iresultslive.com. 29 September 2019. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Believe 208 - Run for the Brave & Finest; Race Results, Sunday, Sep 26, 2021". onlineraceresults.com. 26 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.

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