Virtual Manchester Road Race To Honor Vets, Military Members

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race will again honor area veterans in November, but in a manner different than it has in past years.

The road race committee is sponsoring an alternative Virtual Manchester Road Race next month because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is thus unable to hold its annual Veterans Row pre-race reception for vets and members of the Armed Forces, or to cheer them as they run along the race route.

Instead, the MRR is launching a "Veteran's Tribute" communications campaign to "thank active duty service members, reservists, National Guard members and veterans across the region." In addition, the Manchester Road Race Committee will make a financial donation to a local veterans’ organization.

The communications campaign will feature special email messages to registered runners who are Armed Forces members or veterans; thank you cards and posters to military offices, veterans' hospitals, VFW and American Legion Posts; targeted social media posts to veterans; and an expanded schedule of thank you advertisements during the week of Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Kaman Corporation in Bloomfield is the top-level sponsor of the Veterans’ Tribute as well as the Marine Corps sponsor.

Horst Engineering in East Hartford is the U.S. Army sponsor.

Mastercam in Tolland is the U.S. Coast Guard/U.S. Navy sponsor.

Runners who are on active duty or reserve duty or National Guard members and veterans are encouraged to identify themselves as such when they register for the Virtual Manchester Road Race. Runners identifying themselves as "Veteran/Military" on the registration form will receive special emails and news about future veterans-related Manchester Road Race activities and resources.

"One of the advantages of the virtual race is that members of the military and veterans from anywhere in Connecticut, across the United States, and around the world can participate in the MRR this year," said Drew Crandall, who is the son of a World War II U.S. Navy submarine veteran and the founder of the Veterans' Tribute.

On-line entry applications for the Virtual Manchester Road Race and more information about the race and its Veterans’ Tribute can be found at www.manchesterroadrace.com.