Manchester Road Race Announces 2026 Charitable Objectives

MANCHESTER, CT — Two nonprofit organizations that "revitalize Connecticut communities by building or repairing houses for those in need" will receive major financial boosts in November from the 2026 Manchester Road Race.

The race is presented by Hartford HealthCare.

Race officials announced that Rebuilding Together of Manchester and Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut will be the primary financial beneficiaries of the event, which will take place for the 90th time on Thanksgiving Day.

Road race officials made the announcement now in connection with "National Rebuilding Day," which will be staged on April 25. Members of the road race committee will join with hundreds of other volunteers on that date to participate in home repair projects in Manchester..

Rebuilding Together of Manchester belongs to the national nonprofit organization called Rebuilding Together. Its goal is to bring volunteers and communities of Manchester together to assist those in need with general home repairs and improvements.

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut is part of the international organization which promotes the vision of a world in which everyone has adequate and affordable housing. It works toward that vision by building or improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

"Every runner who registers for our race this year will be aiding the great work done by these two terrific organizations,” said Dr. Tris Carta, the president of the Manchester Road Race Committee. "We're very excited to partner with them in their vital missions.”

Dr. Adam Steinberg, President, Hartford HealthCare Greater Manchester Region, added, "At Hartford HealthCare, we believe in building partnerships with local organizations to ensure the care we provide reflects the community needs. We're proud to support organizations that strengthen our community, including one of Connecticut's most celebrated Thanksgiving traditions, the Manchester Road Race, as well as Rebuilding Together of Manchester and Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut. Each organization shares our mission and a strong commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of the community."

Carta said that Rebuilding Together of Manchester and Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut would receive a "substantial majority percentage" of the unallocated proceeds from this year’s race.

He indicated that the race committee will also set aside a smaller portion of the event’s unallocated proceeds to resume its annual practice of providing financial grants to several other community-based nonprofits and charities. Those grants will be solicited and awarded after the race is held in November.

Carta also announcedthat Rebuilding Together of Manchester will be the recipient of the race’s "Honors Club Program." proceeds. The race annually sets aside 120 bibs for Honors Club runners, who each pay $100 dollars, instead of the traditional entry fee. All of those proceeds are donated to a designated charity, which this year will be Rebuilding Together of Manchester."

In 2025, 12,382 registered runners helped the Manchester Road Race Committee donate a total of $150,000 from unallocated race proceeds and Honors Club receipts to combat food insecurity in Connecticut. The recipients were MACC Charities and Connecticut Foodshare.

The Manchester Road Race presented by Hartford HealthCare is one of America’s oldest and most celebrated Thanksgiving Day runs. It annually attracts some of the world’s best distance competitors and is run on a 4.737-mile course through Manchester’s central streets.

Online registration opens on Sept. 1. More information is available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.