Manchester Road Race Officials: No Decision Yet On 2020 Event

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester Road Race officials are closely watching the sports landscape created by the coronavirus pandemic and have yet to make a decsion on the 2020 race, the road race committee chairman said Wednesday.

"The Manchester Road Race Committee is continuing to monitor the tragic devastation and social disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic," Dr. Tris Carta said. "No decision has been reached yet about the status of the 84th Manchester Road Race."

The race takes place annually on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Nov. 26 this year. It has traditionally drawn Olympians and other elite national and international runners and more than 10,000 participants in all. Thousands more line the streets of Manchester to watch.

"Our only focus will obviously be the health and safety of our runners, volunteers and spectators. To that end, we will continue to review and be guided by the recommendations of our national, state and local health officials, and governmental leaders," Carta said.

In the coming days and weeks, the Manchester Road Race Committee will be consulting with the town of Manchester officials, financial sponsors and "other key agencies, groups and individuals whose tremendous support and partnership enable us to stage the road race each year," Carta said.

"We will notify the media and the public as soon as any determination about the race is made," he added.