In the fall of 2013, at age 22, Kaitlyn Desrochers was walking to class on campus and collapsed.  She had unknowingly developed a blood clot in her left leg.  After three emergency surgeries it was removed and she spent five days in the hospital.  She was sent home, but soon developed a 30-inch blood clot in the same leg.  The damage was so severe that doctors told her activities like running would never be possible.
Desrochers took that as a challenge.  In the years since her injury she worked up to running 5Ks, but now the Putnam native is looking for her next challenge.
In March of this year she had her second son and something changed.  She told her husband she was tired of using her leg and health as an excuse not to run further.  She committed to her first Eversource Hartford Half Marathon to show her kids that others cannot set her limitations and that anything is achievable with hard work and determination.
“I want to show my two boys to put mind over matter and don’t let others set limitations for you. If you want it, if you put the work in, no matter how many set backs you have, you can achieve anything.”
Desrochers has been named to the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s 2019 Aiello Inspiration Team, a group of runners with incredible reasons for participating in the annual Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon this fall.
The 2019 event theme “I Can, I Will” recognizes the incredible personal strength demonstrated by the thousands of participants each year. This annual event challenges not only participants’ capability but also their willingness to achieve ambitious goals.
As a member of the Aiello Inspiration Team, Desrochers will receive VIP treatment: custom event apparel, PRE Perks package with limited access parking adjacent to the start/finish line, Mail My Packet service to receive bib and shirt early, personalized bib, access to pre-race VIP area and personal baggage check.
She will be profiled within the Eversource Hartford Marathon Insider’s Guide and highlighted within team promotions at the HMF Fitness Expo on Oct. 10 and 11. Runners and walkers of all abilities, volunteers and spectators are welcome at this annual local event. For more details visit hartfordmarathon.com.

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