Manchester Road Race

The Manchester Road Race is a 4.748 mile (7.641 km) footrace held annually on Thanksgiving Day in Manchester, Connecticut. Race proceeds are donated each year to Muscular Dystrophy research and about 18 other local charities. Beginning promptly at 10:00am every Thanksgiving Morning, the race attracts athletes of all ages and abilities. First run in 1927, the race regularly attracts accomplished runners from across the United States as well as internationally recognized competitors.[1]

Manchester Road Race
The Manchester Road Race logo
DateThanksgiving Day
LocationManchester, Connecticut, U.S.
Event typeroad
Distance4.748 miles (7.641 km)
Primary sponsorECHN
Established1927
Course recordsMen: 21:04 (2022)
Conner Mantz
Women: 22:55 (2021)
Weini Kelati
Official siteManchesterRoadRace.com

History

The race was first held in 1927 with only twelve runners participating in the race. The race was conceived and promoted by the captain of the Manchester High School cross country team Frank "Duke" Haraburda, who competed and placed second in the inaugural race. The race continued annually until 1934, when the economic crisis during the Great Depression resulted in the race's cancellation. Consequently, the race was not held for 10 years (from 1935 to 1944), but began running again from 1945 to 2019, and will resume in 2021.[2] In 1967 the race was recognized as the second largest race in the country, with more than 200 participants. Due to growing interest and participation in this event, the race surpassed 1,000 runners in 1976 and just ten years later attracted more than 6,000 runners. In 1994 the number of runners had reached 10,000 and in 2009 over 12,000 people officially ran the race. "The Manchester Road Race has grown to be the largest race in Connecticut, the third largest in New England and in the top 25 largest distance races in the country." (Manchester Road Race Committee)

In 1960, Julia Chase-Brand entered Manchester in hopes of participating in the road race, but she was turned down due to her gender. Race officials told her that if she ran she would be banned from racing for life.[3][4] She lobbied to be allowed to race for a year, but without success.[5] In 1961 she did run the race, without permission, but then racing's governing body vowed to ban her from all competition unless she agreed to stay out of "men's" road races.[6] She agreed to stay out.[7] Two other women, Chris McKenzie and Dianne Lechausse, also ran the race, although McKenzie veered off onto the sidewalk before the finish line so as not to get in trouble with racing officials.[8][9] Julia finished in 33 minutes 40 seconds, which would have given her 128th place, ahead of 10 men, if her time was officially counted.[10] Lechausse finished with a time of 41:12.[11]

In 1977, the race committee created male and female divisions, rather than a single open registration.

Irish immigrant Ray Treacy finished second in the 1979 and 1981 races. He coached four Providence College runners who also won the MRR: Mark Caroll (1998 and 2000), Amy Rudolph (1995-97, 2000 and 2002), Kim Smith (2004 and 2005), and Emily Sisson (2017).

Haron Lagat of Kenya won the 2009 Race with a time of 21:40, beating Chicago's Patrick Smyth by one second—Smyth was also the runner up in 2008.[12] Alemtsehay Misganaw, an Ethiopian who lives in New York City, won the 2009 women's race, beating five-time champion Amy Rudolph by a second.[13]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the race was held virtually.[14]

Overview

The official registration has been over 9,000 every year since 1991, with the highest registration of 15,000 in 2010. In addition to registered runners, many registered walkers and unregistered runners participate. The race committee estimates that approximately 1,000 unregistered runners participated in the 2005 race.[15] In addition to the competitive spirit of the road race, Manchester Road Race enthusiasts are attracted every year to further enhance the good spirit of the event. Also giving this race a unique and high-spirited atmosphere, runners and fans wear costumes and may enter a competition to see who has the best costume each year. Famous among these costumed runners are the "Blues Brothers" and "Safety Man." Of note, "Safety Man" also reminds runners and the crowd lining the streets that a safe morning means an enjoyable Thanksgiving afternoon. In a historic Manchester Road Race tradition preceding the race, "Safety Man" will lead the cavalcade of elite runners and alert spectators along the course that the race has begun and runners are approaching.

Notable runners

Joe McCluskey

Years won: 1930, 1931, 1932, 1947

Joe McCluskey was an American Olympic bronze medalist in the 1932 steeplechase who is recognized for winning the race four times. His brother John was the winner of the first race held in 1927. Joe's final Manchester Road Race victory came in 1947, 17 years after his first.

Amby Burfoot

Years won: 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977

Amby Burfoot is an American runner from New London, Connecticut who is known for winning the 1968 Boston Marathon. As of 2015, he had competed in the Manchester Road Race 53 times in a row, winning 9 times (7 consecutively). His 53 consecutive races is the record for the Manchester Road Race, breaking the record of barefoot runner, Charlie "Doc" Robbins, who ran 51, though missing two while serving in WWII. Burfoot later became a journalist, eventually becoming the Executive Editor of Runner's World magazine.[16]

Results
Edition Year Men's winner Time (m:s) Women's winner Time (m:s)
1927  John McCluskey (USA)
1928
1929
1930  Joe McCluskey (USA)
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947  Joe McCluskey (USA)
1948
1949
1950
1951  John J. Kelley (USA) 24:30
1952 25:33
1953 24:20
1954
1955
1956
1957  John J. Kelley (USA) 23:59
1958
1959  John J. Kelley (USA)
1960
1961  John J. Kelley (USA) 24:21
1962 24:30
1963  Victor Zwolak (USA) 23:53.4
1964  Ralph Buschmann (CAN) 23:56
1965  Jim Keefe (USA) 24:15
1966  Ralph Buschmann (CAN) 23:14.8
1967  Arthur Dulong (USA) 23:15.5
1968  Amby Burfoot (USA) 22:34
1969 22:38
1970  John Vitale (USA) 22:42 ? ?
1971  Amby Burfoot (USA) 23:45 ? ?
1972 22:22 ? ?
1973 22:37 ? ?
1974 22:32 ? ?
1975 22:34 ? ?
1976 22:34 ? ?
1977 22:41  Elizabeth Berry (USA) 27:13
1978  John Treacy (IRL) 22:23 ? ?
1979 21:26  Patty Catalano (USA) 25:37
1980  Charles Duggan (USA) 22:30  Ellyn Block (USA) 28:19
1981  Eamonn Coghlan (IRL) 21:37 ? ?
1982 21:43  Sally Zimmer (USA) 27:41
1983 21:36  Janice Cataldo (USA) 26:56
1984  John Treacy (IRL) 21:52  Darlene Beckford (USA) 26:04
1985 21:47  Judi St. Hilaire (USA) 24:40
1986  John Doherty (USA) 21:45  Leatrice Hayer (USA) 25:54
1987 21:31  Jill Harrison (USA) 25:35
1988  John Gregorek (USA) 21:30  Judi St. Hilaire (USA) 24:26
1989 22:13 25:05
1990  Christian Weber (USA) 21:47  Cathy O'Brien (USA) 24:12
1991  John Gregorek (USA) 21:36 24:06
1992  Richard Nerurkar (ENG) 21:33  Judi St. Hilaire (USA) 24:29
1993  John Gregorek (USA) 21:28  Mary Slaney (USA) 24:31
1994  Phillimon Hanneck (ZIM) 21:30  Lynn Jennings (USA) 24:33
1995 21:19  Amy Rudolph (USA) 24:24
1996  Khalid Khannouchi (MAR) 21:36 24:29
1997  Aurelio Miti (ANG) 21:44 24:38
1998  Mark Carroll (IRL) 21:49  Deena Kastor (USA) 24:27
1999  David Makori (KEN) 21:27 24:12
2000  Mark Carroll (IRL) 21:49  Amy Rudolph (USA) 24:26
2001  Leonard Mucheru (KEN) 21:40  Svetlana Zakharova (RUS) 24:22
2002  Andrew Letherby (AUS) 22:03  Amy Rudolph (USA) 24:45
2003  Patrick Nthiwa (KEN) 21:36.7  Emilie Mondor (CAN) 23:58.5
2004 22:16  Kimberly Smith (NZL) 24:47
2005  Nicholas Willis (NZL) 21:49.8 24:22.3
2006  Ian Dobson (USA) 21:39  Shalane Flanagan (USA) 24:30
2007  Andrew Letherby (AUS) 21:53.4  Amy Begley (USA) 24:38.9
2008  Martin Fagan (IRL) 21:40.4  Misiker Mekonen (ETH) 24:59.6
2009  Harun Lagat (KEN) 21:39.1  Alemteshay Misganaw (ETH) 25:25.6
2010  Mourad Maroufit (MAR) 21:39  Sally Kipyego (KEN) 24:08
2011  Brian Olinger (USA) 21:33 24:22
2012  Aaron Braun (USA) 21:19.4  Delilah diCrescenzo (USA) 24:34
2013  Samuel Chelanga (KEN) 21:31.6  Alice Kamunya (KEN) 25:08
2014  Benjamin True (USA) 21:34.0  Diane Nukuri (BDI) 24:37.3
2015  Will Geoghegan (USA) 21:33.5 24:18.9
2016  Benjamin True (USA) 21:30.2  Emily Sisson (USA) 24:07.1
2017  Paul Chelimo (USA) 21:32  Buze Diriba (ETH) 23:56.5
2018  Edward Cheserek (KEN) 21:16  Celliphine Chespol (KEN) 24:33
2019  Eric Jenkins (USA) 21:19  Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 24:30
2020  Donn Cabral (USA) 23:00  Eilish McColgan (GBR) 25:15
2021  Ben Flanagan (CAN) 21:33  Weini Kelati (USA) 22:55
2022  Conner Mantz (USA) 21:04 23:39

[17]

See also

References
  1. Riley, Lori (2004-11-26). "Nthiwa Has It Figured Out— Defends Title By 1 Second". Connecticut Outdoors. The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  2. Manchester Road Race Celebrates 70th Running
  3. "Title IX Archives".
  4. "Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand". 26 December 2012.
  5. "Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand". 26 December 2012.
  6. "Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand". 26 December 2012.
  7. "Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand". 26 December 2012.
  8. Longman, Jeré (26 October 2011). "A Leading Pioneer". The New York Times.
  9. "Julia Chase Brand Returns to Manchester". 21 November 2011.
  10. Longman, Jeré (26 October 2011). "A Leading Pioneer". The New York Times.
  11. Longman, Jeré (26 October 2011). "A Leading Pioneer". The New York Times.
  12. Riley, Lori (2009-11-26). "Haron Lagat, Alemtsehay Misganaw Win 73rd Manchester Road Race". The Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  13. Riley, Lori (2009-11-26). "Manchester Road Race: Top 30 finishers and top 15 women". Running Around in Connecticut. The Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  14. "Plans for 2020 Manchester Road Race announced". 20 August 2020.
  15. 2005 Manchester Road Race Summary Archived December 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  16. Riley, Lori. "Over 50 Years, Manchester Road Race Has Been A Running Theme For Amby Burfoot". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  17. "ARRS - Race series: Manchester Road Race". more.arrs.run. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
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