Manchester Road Race Committee Cancels On-Site Running For 2020

MANCHESTER, CT — For the first time since World War II, the traditional Thanksgiving morning running of the Manchester Road Race will not take place this fall, as organizers have canceled the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Just over two weeks ago, the road race committee announced plans for a limited, 500-runner field, without any of the elite world-class athletes which have become a Manchester staple. The race traditionally draws more than 10,000 entrants, with thousands more lining the streets of central Manchester as spectators.

"We have said continually that the health and safety of our runners, volunteers and spectators was our primary concern," said Dr. Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee. "Our committee developed a plan, consistent with state guidelines, for a limited, 500-runner event that we believed could be safely run in waves of 25 runners each. After further review and consultation with officials from the Town of Manchester, we have sadly reached the conclusion that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be possible from a health and logistical standpoint for us to safely hold an on-site race this Thanksgiving. The Manchester Road Race has been run 83 times, and we did everything we could in an attempt to keep the tradition alive this year, even in the face of this unprecedented health crisis. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has made that impossible."

The 4.748 mile road race, considered one of the oldest running events in the country, debuted in 1927. It was not held from 1935through 1944 due to the Great Depression and World War II, but it resumed in 1945 and was run for 75 straight years until this year's cancellation.

A virtual road race, announced in August, will continue to be offered. Details about the virtual run will be available on the road race website, www.manchesterroadrace.com. Registration will begin Oct. 1.

Manchester Mayor Jay Moran said, "Although so many of us are disappointed that the Manchester Road Race will not be live this year, keeping our community and the many visitors who come to town on Thanksgiving Day safe is our number one priority. I would like to thank the road race committee for creating a virtual experience that will keep this annual tradition alive and ongoing for so many runners and walkers."

The committee also announced cancellation of the "Little Manchester Road Race" for youngsters, traditionally run on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

"The COVID-19 pandemic makes it impossible to safely hold it as an on- site race and the ages of our participants and family friendly nature of the LMRR preclude us from offering it as a virtual event," Carta said.

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