Running Legend Burfoot Poised For 2 More Manchester Road Race Records

MANCHESTER, CT — Running legend Amby Burfoot is ready to reach another monumental milestone — and set two more records — at the Manchester Road Race.

The 76-year-old Burfoot, a nine-time MRR champion and winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, will be competing in the road race for the 60th year in a row. With 59 straight prior finishes to his credit, Burfoot already owns the records for most races and most consecutive runs, and he will extend both marks when he crosses the finish stripe on Main Street on Thanksgiving Day.

Burfoot’s longevity streak began in 1963, when he first entered the road race as a high school senior. He won the scholastic title, and finished in 14th place overall.

He has run in every MRR since then.

The Wesleyan University graduate won the race a record nine times during the decade between 1968 and 1977. Seven of those victories (1971-1977) came in successive years, which is also a MRR record.

"It is absolutely amazing when you consider that our race is being held for the 86th time and Amby Burfoot has been running here for the last 60 years," said Dr. Tris Carta, President of the Manchester Road Committee. "Amby is a terrific athlete and gentleman, and we are so grateful for the many contributions that he has made to the Manchester Road Race and its history."

Burfoot is an editor emeritus at Runner's World magazine and an author of a number of books about the sport of distance running. He lives in Mystic.

The 86th Manchester Road Race is on tap for 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24). The race, which attracts some of the world’s best distance runners, is staged along a 4.748-mile loop course that starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church.

On-line registration and more details about the event are available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.