Manchester Road Race Explained

Manchester Road Race
Bgcolour:
  1. 1D0074
Date:Thanksgiving Day
Location:Manchester, Connecticut, U.S.
Type:road
Sponsor:ECHN
Est:1927
Distance:4.737 miles (7.623 km)
Registration:15,000 (2012)
Record:Men: 21:04 (2022)
Conner Mantz
Women: 22:55 (2021)
Weini Kelati
Homepage:ManchesterRoadRace.com

The Manchester Road Race is a 4.737 mile (7.623 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]

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]

In 2024, the course was remeasured and found to be nearly 60 ft shorter due to various repaving projects over the years. [15]

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.[16] 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.[17]

Results

YearMen's winnerTime (m:s)Women's winnerTime (m:s)
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
195124:30
195225:33
195324:20
1954
1955
1956
195723:59
1958
1959
1960
196124:21
196224:30
196323:53.4
196423:56
196524:15
196623:14.8
196723:15.5
196822:34
196922:38
197022:42??
197123:45??
197222:22??
197322:37??
197422:32??
197522:34??
197622:34??
197722:4127:13
197822:23??
197921:2625:37
198022:3028:19
198121:37??
198221:4327:41
198321:3626:56
198421:5226:04
198521:4724:40
198621:4525:54
198721:3125:35
198821:3024:26
198922:1325:05
199021:4724:12
199121:3624:06
199221:3324:29
199321:2824:31
199421:3024:33
199521:1924:24
199621:3624:29
199721:4424:38
199821:4924:27
199921:2724:12
200021:4924:26
200121:4024:22
200222:0324:45
200321:36.723:58.5
200422:1624:47
200521:49.824:22.3
200621:3924:30
200721:53.424:38.9
200821:40.424:59.6
200921:39.125:25.6
201021:3924:08
201121:3324:22
201221:19.424:34
201321:31.625:08
201421:34.024:37.3
201521:33.524:18.9
201621:30.224:07.1
201721:3223:56.5
201821:1624:33
201921:1924:30
202023:0025:15
202121:3322:55
202221:0423:39
202321:1223:21
[18]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Lori . Riley . Nthiwa Has It Figured Out - Defends Title By 1 Second . Connecticut Outdoors . . 2004-11-26 . 2007-02-05.
  2. http://www.runnersweb.com/running/news/rw_news_20061115_RRW_Manchester.html Manchester Road Race Celebrates 70th Running
  3. Web site: Title IX Archives.
  4. Web site: Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand. 26 December 2012.
  5. Web site: Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand. 26 December 2012.
  6. Web site: Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand. 26 December 2012.
  7. Web site: Heroes of Running: Julia Chase-Brand. 26 December 2012.
  8. News: A Leading Pioneer. The New York Times. 26 October 2011. Longman. Jeré.
  9. Web site: Julia Chase Brand Returns to Manchester. 21 November 2011.
  10. News: A Leading Pioneer. The New York Times. 26 October 2011. Longman. Jeré.
  11. News: A Leading Pioneer. The New York Times. 26 October 2011. Longman. Jeré.
  12. News: Lori . Riley . Haron Lagat, Alemtsehay Misganaw Win 73rd Manchester Road Race . . 2009-11-26 . 2009-11-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091201022508/http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/hc-manchester-road-race-winners-1126,0,3474853.story . 2009-12-01 . dead .
  13. News: Lori . Riley . Manchester Road Race: Top 30 finishers and top 15 women . https://archive.today/20120713005154/http://blogs.courant.com/running/2009/11/manchester-road-race-top-30-fi.html . dead . 2012-07-13 . Running Around in Connecticut . . 2009-11-26 . 2009-11-26 .
  14. Web site: Plans for 2020 Manchester Road Race announced. 20 August 2020.
  15. Web site: 2024-08-08 . The Manchester Road Race course nearly 60-feet shorter after remeasurement: Officials . 2024-08-09 . fox61.com . en-US.
  16. http://www.manchesterroadrace.com/RacePages/Funfacts.htm 2005 Manchester Road Race Summary
  17. Web site: Riley. Lori. Over 50 Years, Manchester Road Race Has Been A Running Theme For Amby Burfoot. https://archive.today/20121217132134/https://www.courant.com/sports/running/hc-amby-burfoot-mrr-1121-20121120,0,7374450.story. dead. 17 December 2012. Hartford Courant. 21 November 2012.
  18. Web site: ARRS - Race series: Manchester Road Race. 2021-11-25. more.arrs.run.