The 88th running of the Manchester Road Race is happening on Thursday. It is one of the largest and most popular Turkey Trots in America and is a tradition in Connecticut.
With pouring rain and chilly temperatures, the Manchester Road Race, trekked through the streets of Downtown Manchester Thursday.
In its 88th year, the event still remains a Connecticut staple and a Thanksgiving tradition that many families wouldn't miss.
“It’s just fun. It’s tradition. It used to be a thing with my family like because my grandparents lived on the road race route. So, we’ve been watching it ever since I can remember,” said Matthew Clancy from Coventry.
The course is 4.7 miles with an estimated 12,000 participants, both runners and walkers. Several runners on the route said they've been running for years and others' decades.
“This is my 28th year running the Manchester Road Race. Started in 6th grade. 6th grade from Coventry,” said Keith Conroy, of Coventry.
Get top local stories in Connecticut delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Connecticut's News Headlines newsletter.
“I ran it as a kid and I ran it the last three years since moving to Manchester,” Howie Breinan added.
Conroy said he event proposed to his wife on the route.
“10 years ago today. I proposed to my wife after the race,” he said. It was the dehydration. She was like, 'yes?'."
Local
Some runners suited up in their best athletic gear, others wore rain gear, then there were some of the fun runners, in costume. Howie Breinan was Macho Man Randy Savage this year and Wendy Simas from Rhode Island was Elizabeth, two WWE characters.
“It’s a first class race. It’s so much fun. Brings the community together. Its just everything,” Breinan explained.
"This is my first time ever not running it flat out which is exciting to do the casual, but it’s the friendships, the people you meet, said Andrew Hicks, who is from Coventry.
As is tradition, the Manchester Road Race will continue Friday with the annual "Ray Crothers Blood Drive" in partnership with the Red Cross. It will be held at Manchester High School gymnasium from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anyone who donates a pint of blood will receive a Manchester Road Race t-shirt.
The blood drive is named in memory of Ray Crothers, a long-time participant and former champion, who died of cancer in 2008.
