Manchester Road Race Donations Topping $80K For 2024

MANCHESTER, CT — A total of 15 charities will benefit from the proceeds of the 87th Manchester Road Race.

The race was staged with 11,061 registered participants last Thanksgiving.

The Manchester Road Race Committee announced Wednesday that it will make charitable donations totaling $81,650.

As it has done for more than seven decades, the committee will again contribute to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Research to combat Muscular Dystrophy and other crippling childhood diseases has been a charitable objective of race organizers since 1951.

But, with the MRR's growth in size and popularity, the race committee has been able to expand and diversify its philanthropic outreach. Other donation recipients this year include non-profit organizations that sponsor scholastic and youth running programs, operate a diaper bank, assist local residents whose homes need repairs, conduct an educational summer camp program, offer music and drama instruction to local children, print maps for area walking and running trails, and provide sports and recreational activities, and gifts at Christmastime, for young people in under-served communities.

In addition to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the road race committee will make
donations to the Blue Angels Foundation; CAST; Gentle Love Diaper Pantry; Manchester Adult and Continuing Education summer camp program; Manchester Elks Lodge; Manchester PAL; MARC; M.H.S. Track & Field; Manchester Running Company Track and Field; Manchester Pipe Band; Rebuilding Together Manchester; Rotary in Motion trail map project; and Shenipsit Striders.

The Transitional Living Center of Manchester, which provides a nurturing and supportive residence for homeless and displaced youth, will receive a special bequest from the MRR's Honors Club Program.

Each year, the road race designates a specific area charity to honor. Up to 100 entrants,
who pay $100 instead of the regular entry fee, can sign up to run on behalf of the organization. All
proceeds are donated to that charity. Last November, 86 runners ran the road race to benefit
the Transitional Living Center.

"The Manchester Road Race has a very long and proud tradition of charitable giving," Manchester Road Race Committee President Dr. Tris Carta said. "We could not make these contributions without the tremendous support that we receive from our great runners, financial sponsors, volunteers, media partners, and the Town of Manchester, and we are very grateful to all of
them."

The 88th Manchester Road Race is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day 2024 on Nov. 28.

Online registration for the event, which is regarded as one of America's largest and best Turkey Day races, will open on Sept. 1 at www.manchesterroadrace.com.