Elite Runner Withdraws From Manchester, Women's Field Still Loaded

MANCHESTER, CT — An elite runner has withdrawn from the Manchester Road Race women's lineup, race officials said Friday. The field, however, is still featuring plenty of talent.

The 86th Manchester Road Race will take place at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24). The 4.748-mile run, which attracts thousands of runners and walkers and is one of the nation’s largest and oldest Turkey Day road races, starts and finishes on Main Street, in front of St. James Church.

Race officials Friday announced today that Canadian Olympian Gabriela DeBues-Stafford has withdrawn from the Thanksgiving Day run due to an injury sustained while training. DeBues-Stafford, who holds two Canadian national records and placed fifth in the 1,500 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, had hoped to make her road racing debut at the MRR.

The defending women's champion and record holder has committed to the race. Weini Kelati won the 2021 Manchester Road Race in what event officials termed a "jaw-dropping" record time of 22:55. She who was born in Eritrea and won two individual NCAA championships at the University of New Mexico. She finished in 18th place overall last year.

Ethiopian distance standout Anna Dibaba, Cynthia Limo of Kenya, and Jordan Hasay of Arroyo Grande, CA, also highlight the women's field.

More details and on-line registration are available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.