Olympians Add to Manchester Road Race Artifacts

MANCHESTER, CT — Memorabilia from two local Olympians who have starred at the Manchester Road Race were recently donated to the road race collection at the Manchester Historical Society.

Two Olympic uniform track jerseys worn by Manchester’s Joe McCluskey were donated by his family.

McCluskey, a 1929 graduate of Manchester High School, won a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

A four-time Manchester Road Race champion, McCluskey also represented the United States at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. He was selected to compete in the 1940 Olympics, which were canceled due to World War II.

Glastonbury’s Donn Cabral donated an autographed equipment bag bib that was issued to him when he ran at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Cabral, a steeplechase runner, won the NCAA championship in that event during his senior year at Princeton University. He also competed for the United States at the 2012 London Olympics in the steeplechase. Cabral placed second at the 2015 MRR and has had five other top-ten finishes in the Thanksgiving Day run since 2011.

“We have been attempting to preserve the rich history of our race, in partnership with the Manchester Historical Society, by maintaining a collection of artifacts, photographs, and other materials that are related to each race, and to the great athletes who compete here every Thanksgiving Day,” said Dr. Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee. “We are very grateful to the McCluskey family and to Donn Cabral for their generous gifts.”

The Manchester Road Race Committee and the Manchester Historical Society periodically sponsor exhibits and displays about the history of the Thanksgiving Day run, which began in 1927, and will be held for the 81st time this year on Nov. 23.

Carta added that the committee continues to seek donations of road race memorabilia, particularly photos, home movies and other artifacts from the race’s early years. Persons interested in donating items to the Manchester Road Race Collection may contact Dave Smith, Curator of the Manchester Historical Society Museum, at 860-647-9983.

Photo Credit: Princeton Athletics