Tolland Runners: 'Road Race Saturday' to Debut Before This Year's Manchester Road Race

MANCHESTER, CT — Citing the growing success of pre-Race activities like the Little Manchester Road Race and the Sports and Fitness Expo, the Manchester Road Race Committee has decided to bundle all the Saturday-before-the-race events into a single, free and family friendly extravaganza called “Road Race Saturday.”

The date is Saturday, Nov. 19.

“Organizationally, it just makes sense,” according to Manchester Road Race Director Jim Balcome. “We already have the resources and volunteers downtown on Main Street in Manchester that morning, and we're looking to put on the best possible show for the enthusiastic crowds that seem to get larger every year.”

The MRR announced earlier this year that the Little Manchester Road Race for children 12 and younger will double the number of kids participating in the event's seventh year.

The MRR has also announce that local health insurer, ConnectiCare, has signed on as presenting sponsor for Road Race Saturday.

“People say they love seeing ConnectiCare out in the community, and there’s no better place than Road Race Saturday to be with our neighbors. We are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of this special tradition and excited to welcome area residents into the ConnectiCare center that just opened in Manchester,” said Heidi Sirota, vice president of marketing and communications.

According to MRR President, Tris Carta, ConnectiCare is a welcome addition to the Road Race Saturday event’s stable of sponsors.

“We have enjoyed the generous support of longtime Little Manchester Road Race sponsor Henkel in Rocky Hill since the inception of the kids' race, and Integrated Rehabilitation Services in Vernon continues to sponsor the Sports and Fitness Expo as they have the past few years. ConnectiCare coming on board is another example of how local companies recognize the importance of community events like ours.”

Carta also cited the additional support the Saturday events receive from Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford, ECHN and Stop and Shop.

Road Race Saturday kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with warm-ups for the popular Silk City Striders “Know Your Pace” Race, which begins at 8 a.m.

The Sports and Fitness Expo opens at 8:30 a.m. in the Cone Gym at Bennet Academy, 1115 Main St.

The Expo features sports and wellness information booths, demonstrations, giveaways and raffles.

At 9 a.m., nine-time Manchester Road Race champion Amby Burfoot will be greeting Expo attendees, and selling and autographing copies of his new book, “First Ladies of Running.”

At the same time, there will be a RoadRace registration and packet pick-up session, MRR tee shirt and apparel sale, and check-in for the Little Manchester Road Race. The Expo continues until 1:00 PM and admission is free.

At 9:45 a.m. the action shifts two blocks south to the Bennet Academy soccer field at Main and Charter Oak Streets for bagpipe music, a precision skydiving team exhibition, and the Little Manchester Road Race.

More details on Road Race Saturday are available on the MRR's web site, ManchesterRoadRace.com.

The 80th Manchester Road Race will be run on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) at 10 a.m. The Race starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church. More details about the race, and on-line registration, are also available at the MRR web site.

Photo Credit: Manchester Road Race