Manchester Road Race Again Honoring Veterans

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race Committee will team up with local veterans organizations once again this November to honor all veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces who run in the Thanksgiving Day race.

For the fourth straight year, race organizers will showcase a "Veterans Row Tribute" to recognize the service of active duty, National Guard and Reserve members and veterans entered in the MRR.

A pre-race reception with light refreshments will be staged at the Vietnam Memorial, located at the corner of Main Street and East Center Street in Manchester, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. All military participants will receive an MRR commemorative pin. Vets and service members will also be honored when they run by the Veterans Row "Path of Honor" area on the race course, which will be located in front of the Vietnam Memorial, and lined with American flags, the POW-MIA flag, and the flags of all five branches of our nation’s Armed Forces.

The Manchester Veterans Council, American Legion Post 133 of South Windsor, American Legion Post 102 of Manchester, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2046 of Manchester, DAV Chapter 17 of Manchester. DAV Department of Connecticut, and the Manchester Army & Navy Club are co-hosting the event. The “Veterans’ Row Tribute” was the brainchild of Drew Crandall of the road race committee. Race Director Jim Balcome and committee member Tamara Womack-Speaks oversee the race's military recognition efforts.

Veterans Row financial sponsors include Mastercam, Goodwin University, Horst Engineering, the Journal Inquirer, the Army & Navy Club, VFW Post 2046, DAV Department of Connecticut, and DAV Chapter 17. Refreshments will be provided by Highland Park Market.

The Manchester Road Race has had a long affiliation with veterans. A group of returning World War II vets revived the race in 1945 after a 10-year hiatus caused by the Great Depression and the War, and the local Army & Navy Club sponsored the event between 1945-1950.

Additionally, MRR Champions Jim Gwin, Walter Bennett, Joe McCluskey, John Turley, Charlie Robbins, Ted Vogel, Tom Crane, Fred Schoeffler, John Kelley, Nick Costes, Pete Close, Vic Zwolak, Ray Crothers, Haron Lagat, Samuel Chelanga and Paul Chelimo were all military veterans.

"We are very proud of the contributions that veterans have made to our race, and we are extremely grateful for the sacrifices made by everyone who has put on the uniform to serve in our military," Manchester Road Race President Dr. Tris Carta said. "This is just our small way of saying thank you."