Manchester Road Race Now Marked On Top International Calendar

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race has received a top-level worldwide recognition.

World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport of track and field that used to be known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation, has included Manchester's 4.748-mile Thanksgiving Day run as one of only 238 road races in the world on its 2023 World Athletics Label road race calendar.

The World Athletics Label designation is available to all officially sanctioned road races that have taken place for at least two consecutive years prior to 2023 with an anti-doping international measurement certificate in place.

According to the World Athletics announcement, "Through choosing to have a World Athletics Label, race organizers show a tangible commitment to clean sport by funding a dedicated road running integrity program, managed by the Athletics Integrity Unit."

The Manchester Road Race now joins 237 other marathons, half-marathons and road races on six continents and in 53 countries that will be listed this year as World Athletics Label events.

"The World Athletics designation of the MRR as a Label Program Race brings status and global recognition that our race is truly one of the world’s best road races" said Jim Harvey, the elite runner coordinator for the Manchester Road Race. "It will greatly enhance our reputation as we move forward."

Added Matt Peak, an MRR Committee member who has coordinated drug testing at the event for several years, "The great, hard working athletes who come to the Manchester Road Race inspire us with their achievements. Our partnership with World Athletics allows us to uphold the integrity of the sport by deterring cheaters who would take away from that inspiration."

It's a proud moment, said Manchester Road Race Committee President Dr. Tris Carta.

"This designation proves what we have known for a long time — that our road race is a world-class event that attracts some of the best athletes on the road racing circuit and is known for its inclusivity and fairness," he said.

Carta also had praise for Harvey and Peak.

"Their efforts for a number of years have enabled us to achieve the high-caliber level of competition and integrity at the Manchester Road Race and to earn this respected international status," Carta said.

The 87th Manchester Road Race will be staged on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23,2023) at 10 a.m. The race starts and finishes on Main Street, in front of St. James Church. More information is available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.