A trio of local runners, including a parent of one of the 20 first graders killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy, will traverse a 95-mile course covering three states as the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s RiMaConn Relay, presented by Webster Bank, hits the road on Saturday, August 28.

From Rhode Island, through Massachusetts, and into Connecticut, the three will join numerous other relay teams, all running to support various worthy causes. Among the participants are many who will run for Dylan’s Wings Of Change Foundation, established to honor the memory of Dylan Hockley, who was killed on 12/14.

The foundation’s mission may be found here: https://www.dylanswingsofchange.org/mission-impact.

The members of the Beer Witch Project, as they have dubbed themselves, are Mark Katz (Milford), Ian Hockley (Monroe), Bob Burbank (Newtown), and team driver Jennifer Heitzke (Monroe).

Other local teams running for Dylan’s Wings Of Change include Long Distance Relay-tionship: Christina Hansen (Monroe), Neasa Waaler (Sandy Hook), Joanna Gamble (Newtown), and driver Karin LaBanca (Sandy Hook); OuttaWhack: Lizzie West (Newtown), Brenda McRae (Newtown), Donatella Braghieri (New York), and driver Ben Smith (Newtown); and Project Which Beer?: Jonathan Gamble (Newtown), Dave Conrad (Sandy Hook), Robb Armstrong (Canton), and driver Amy Deloughy (Sandy Hook).

There will be numerous teams composed of six individuals or three-person ultra teams splitting up the 18 legs of the relay. A majority of the race takes place on scenic multi-use trails.

Runners will begin in waves, starting at Blackstone State Park in Lincoln, R.I., at 4 am. The course ends at the Connecticut River at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford.

The Beer Witch Project is back after participating in the 2019 RiMaConn Relay.

“RiMaConn is, at times, anything from fun to awe-inspiring, grueling and a massive challenge at some point in the race, and running 95 miles as an ultra, three-person team, doubles the intensity,” Hockley said.

There is time to take in the sunrise and scenery as runners put their all into the relay.

“The 5 am start with fresh legs, running as the sun rises, is amazing. As the day wears on, in the heat of the afternoon on the beautiful Connecticut trails, you’ve got to dig deep and support each other to keep going. When the sun starts to set and everyone already has a marathon distance under their belt, you’re running into Hartford and realizing — we’ve made it. The team meets up and runs across the finish line together, those are the moments you treasure,” Hockley said.

Katz said the event is fun and provides great camaraderie among participants.

“It challenges you both physically and mentally, but more importantly creates lifelong memories to share, because it never goes as planned. The creativity of the participants with team names, car decorations, and random costumes are an added welcomed distraction. There is always someone ready to cheer you on as you make your way through the beautiful course,” Katz said.

The Beer Witch Project name has an interesting background, as explained in an e-mail statement by its team members: “The first Beer Witch Project was an ultra team for the 2016 Reach The Beach, a 200-mile overnight relay in New Hampshire. Running your assigned route at 3 am on a quiet moonlight night can be glorious until you realize there are no lights indicating runners are ahead or behind you. You check your phone and there’s no signal. You get that moment of terror that you’re completely lost, and we immediately thought of the Blair Witch movie. Beer has always been a natural companion to our running shenanigans so we mashed them together. Various iterations of the Beer Witch Project have run relays in the Northeast, England, and Germany.”

Burbank said he loves the complementary characteristics of the team. “You can have great runners, but what we have are great friends. That shared challenge amplifies the experience,” Burbank said.

The cause is important to all, but of course is most significant for Hockley.

“Dylan was my six-year-old son who was killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook in 2012. An incredible community of runners has formed over the years. Some 400 people strong across the country, we’ve been ‘Running for Dylan’ in events since that dark day. COVID completely stalled our fundraising as races ground to a halt last year. As soon as we saw that RiMaConn was back on the schedule this year, we put out the call and four teams rallied to take part. We’re fundraising so that more schools and youth organizations can access our Wingman youth leadership program,” he said.

“What I love about Dylan’s Wings of Change is their dedication to making people’s lives better. Through fostering empathy and compassion, and inspiring kids to be leaders, they’re helping bring positive change for the schools and communities they work with. On top of that, Ian is a dear friend to me and so many,” Burbank added.

Katz said, “The cause is very special for all of us, with so many of our friends and teammates affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy. We are each other’s wingmen on not only race day but also every day of the year. The DWC foundation provides necessary training programs of leadership, empathy, diversity, adaptability, and empowerment to our youth. I hope that my small effects and support cascade to a larger impact through visibility and donations.”

Supporters can donate at hustle.kilterrewards.com/charity/1743/challenge/203/participant/21027/ian%20hockley

For more information about the RiMaConn Relay, visit runthegreenway.com

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com