A Connecticut staple returned for its 88th year on Thursday. Rain and all, the Manchester Road Race shut down the streets of Downtown Manchester for a few hours.
Thanksgiving morning in Manchester and you know what that means.
“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, of Coventry.
It's truly a tradition in every sense of the word.
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“This is my 28th year running the Manchester Road Race. Started in 6th grade. 6th grade from Coventry," said Keith Conroy, of Coventry.
No matter how you run it - whether athletically, in costume or just for fun...
"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, of Coventry.
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It's always worth it.
Race officials estimated bout 12,000 runners and 30,000 spectators lined the race course.
Proceeds from the Manchester Road Race benefit several local charities. As is tradition, the Ray Crothers Blood Drive follows this on Friday at Manchester High School.
