New Zealand's Kim Smith To Chair 2021 Manchester Road Race

MANCHESTER, CT — Three-time Olympian Kim Smith of New Zealand, a two-time winner of the Manchester Road Race, will serve as the event’s honorary chairperson in 2021, road race officials announced Tuesday.

Smith, now 39, captured back-to-back Thanksgiving Day championships in Manchester in 2004 and 2005. When she beat Amy Rudolph in 2004 to win the women’s division in 24:47, Smith finished in 25th place overall.

Smith defended her title the following year with a time of 24:23 and placed 27th.

More than 10,000 male and female runners competed in each race.

Smith won four individual NCAA running championships in track and cross country while competing for MRR Road Race legend and coach Ray Treacy at Providence College. Smith had transferred to Providence from the Auckland College of Education in New Zealand during her junior year. The four NCAA titles she earned in two years are the most won by any runner in the school’s history.

Smith represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games at Athens in 2004 (5000 meters), at Beijing in 2008 (10,000 meters) and at London in 2012 (marathon). She finished 15th in the marathon at the London Olympics in 2:26:59.

Retired from competitive athletics since 2016 and now living in Rhode Island, Smith set 14 New Zealand national records for track and road racing. They include times of 14:39 for the indoor 5000 meters, 30:35 for the 10,000 meters, 1:07.11 for the half marathon and 2:25:21 in the marathon.

Smith's time of 1:07.11 in the half marathon, set in 2011 in Philadelphia, was the fastest time ever run by a woman on U.S. soil in that event at that time.

"Kim Smith is an extremely versatile and talented athlete who had marvelous performances here," said Dr. Tris Carta, Manchester Road Race President. "It’s very difficult to win our race two years in a row, but Kim made it look easy. We are extremely honored and pleased that Kim has agreed to serve as our honorary chairperson this year. It will be great to welcome her back to Manchester."

The 85th annual Manchester Road Race is slated for Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25) at 10 a.m. The race starts and finishes on Main Street, in front of St. James Church. More details and on-line registration forms are available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.