The 75th Annual Manchester Road Race: What You Need to Know

It’s a tradition on Thanksgiving Day in Manchester every bit as venerable as the turkey itself – the annual running of the .

This year will see 15,000 runners and walkers compete in the 75th annual installment of what has become one of the most popular, not to mention most colorful, road races in the nation. 

Here’s what you need to know about the race, the course and its history if you’re one of those runners this morning, or even just a spectator:

• The first Manchester Road Race was held in 1927, with just 12 runners.
• The circular racecourse is approximately 4.748 miles long, starting and ending on Main Street in downtown Manchester.
• The first woman ran the Manchester Road Race in 1961.
• The race starts promptly at 10 a.m.
• Phillimon Hanneck holds the course record at 21:19, which he set in 1995; Emilie Mondor holds the women’s record at 23:59, set in 2003.
• Don’t be surprised to see more than a few people running in costumes today!
• Parking can be difficult the morning of the race, with Main Street closing to traffic at 7 a.m. Parking is available along posted side streets, but expect to walk at least several blocks to the racecourse.
• Shuttle bus service is provided between Manchester Community College and the racecourse. Shuttles will run continuously from 7:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. Return shuttles will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• There will be portable toilets along Main Street before, during and after the race for runners, walkers and spectators, although the race does not provide changing facilities.
• The race donates all proceeds to charity. In 2010, the Manchester Road Race Committee donated $100,000 to a number of charities and philanthropic causes throughout the area.