Tolland Runners be Thankful: 2016 Manchester Road Race Poster, Discount Registration Available

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race Committee has announced the availability of the 2016 edition of its “Finish Line Series” of posters.

This year’s image captures hundreds of runners descending Main Street, under the gigantic American flag suspended between two Fire Department ladder trucks. Taken on Thanksgiving Day in 2012 by Manchester resident John Long, the photograph represents the enthusiasm and community spirit generated by the annual event.

“Our previous posters have recognized some of the giants of the Manchester Road Race, Manchester Road Race President Tris Carta said. "This year, on the 80th anniversary of the race, we wanted to honor the thousands of runners, who come from near and far, to participate in this great event.”

The poster series was introduced in 2014, in conjunction with an exhibit on the history of the Road Race. The two inaugural posters in the collection depict nine-time champion Amby Burfoot winning the 1971 Manchester Road Race, and Julia Chase-Brand’s history-making run in 1961, when she became the first female to complete the road race course. Last year’s poster featured the 1945 and 1946 winner, Charlie “Doc” Robbins, who made 50 consecutive appearances in the Road Race, often running barefoot.

All of the 18-by-24-inch posters have been designed by former Manchester resident Harrison “Whitey” Jenkins.

This year’s anniversary poster is available for $10. The same goes for all three of the earlier editions.

A limited number of the 2014 posters, signed by Burfoot and Chase-Brand, remain available for $25. Proceeds from the sale of the posters will be donated to the Manchester Historical Society, which maintains a collection of Manchester Road Race artifacts.

The posters are available at Frame Dimensions located at 681 Main Street, Manchester and 995 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Frame Dimensions, voted one of the “Best of Hartford” businesses by Hartford Magazine, is offering a special framing package consisting of dry-mounting and a metal frame starting at $70.

Registration for the 80th edition of the Manchester Road Race is ongoing.

The registration fee for entries received before Nov. 7, is $27. Entries submitted thereafter will cost $32.
Online registration, and participant particulars for the Manchester Road Race are available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.

The event is the nation's oldest and one of the most prestigious road races. The 4.748-mile run takes place on a loop course through the town’s central streets on Thanksgiving Day.

The starting gun is at 10 a.m. The race starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church.

Photo Credit: Manchester Road Race Committee/John Long