Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

This week's Hidden Gem is an underrated part of an annual Thanksgiving Day classic.

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Mile 4 is arguably the key to running and spectating at the annual Manchester Road Race.
Mile 4 is arguably the key to running and spectating at the annual Manchester Road Race. (Chris Dehnel/Patch )

MANCHESTER, CT — This week's Hidden Gem is a Thanksgiving staple within a Thanksgiving staple.

Welcome to Mile 4 at the Manchester Road Race. The race is an event that draws about 10,000 runners to Hartford County and the north central Connecticut town every Turkey Day morning.

The start-finish line on Main Street and the Highland Park hill seem to generate the most publicity, but for spectating and running, Mile 4 is arguably where it's at.

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Think about it. It's the flattest part of the 4.748-mile course and, strategically, it makes runners make decisions.

"Oh Mile 4 is where the decisions are made," said multiple Boston Marathon and MRR winner Amby Burfoot, who was also the editorial chief at Runner's World magazine. "If you're a kicker, you're probably going to wait into you get to Main Street and then go. But if you don't have a kick, you're probably going to go at Mile 4."

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The Mile 4 spectator funnel at the Manchester Road Race. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

That makes Mile 4 a spectator's haven and folks certainly line the streets to cheer on the runners.

Oh, and Mile 4 is also known for its parties at the local business and social halls that line Center Street. And a band plays on Center Street just before the run down Main Street.

One of the parties at the Manchester Rod race near Mile 4. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

It's the spot to be - really - at the famed race.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other columns in this series:

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