Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

Manchester CT

26 November, 2021

5:51 PM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — This week's Hidden Gem is a Thanksgiving staple within a Thanksgiving staple. Welcome to Mile 4 at the Manchester Road Race. The race is an event that draws about 10,000 runners to Hartford County and the north central Connecticut town every Turkey Day morning. The start-finish line on Main Street and the Highland Park hill seem to generate the most publicity, but for spectating and running, Mile 4 is arguably where it's at. Think about it. It's the flattest part of the 4.748-mile course and, strategically, it makes runners make decisions. "Oh Mile 4 is where the decisions are made," said multiple Boston Marathon and MRR winner Amby Burfoot, who was also the editorial chief at Runner's World magazine. "If you're a kicker, you're probably going to wait into you get to Main Street and then go. But if you don't have a kick, you're probably going to go at Mile 4." The Mile 4 spectator funnel at the Manchester Road Race. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) That makes Mile 4 a spectator's haven and folks certainly line the streets to cheer on the runners. Oh, and Mile 4 is also known for its parties at the local business and social halls that line Center Street. And a band plays on Center Street just before the run down Main Street. One of the parties at the Manchester Rod race near Mile 4. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) It's the spot to be - really - at the famed race. ____ The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected]. Other columns in this series: The West Hartford ArmoryThe Capitol's Nooks and CranniesWickham Park Aviary55 West Main, New BritainBottle and Can Redemption CentersThe Dodd Center for Human Rights at UConnManchester Ropes Challenge Course4-H Education Center at AuerfarmFuego Picante Food TruckThe AmistadThe 9/11 memorialsClub Champion Golf FittersGolden Irene RestaurantAvery's SodaPetersen Flower FarmR Dee WineryGolden Gavel Auction HouseThe Cogswell Temperance FountainThe Old State HouseBouNom BakeryUnion Pond Park/Jay Howroyd Fitness TrailCedar Knob Restaurant & BanquetsUConn Dairy BarTopstone Golf CourseBackwoods Smokin' BBQThe Ranch HouseFoster Hill FarmEmma Hart Willard BirthplaceConnecticut Parachutists Skydiving ClubJust Be SalonTail Winds Ice Cream ShopThe MLK MuralThe Hilltop Restaurant and BarFrancesco's RistoranteThe Modern MilkmanCotton Hollow KitchenFearless Cards, Toys and CollectiblesFork & FireLena's Italian KitchenSouthwood Antiques & MarketplaceSwank PearceVernon Depot Historic ParkFarr's Sporting GoodsRobs Drivin DinerPowder Mill BarnAt the DamLena's RestaurantThe Genius of ConnecticutThe NotchLuAnn's BakeryEcker Hill Disc Golf CourseThe Kona Ice TruckOlympia DinerMountain DairyAnthony Jacks Wood-Fired GrillPabs African RestaurantHenry's PizzeriaSouth Windsor Wildlife SanctuaryThe Country ButcherAby's BakeryLiberty Street Market & DeliWilderness Lake Campground and ResortTime Machine toy and hobby storePaul Gregory's Bistro CafeThe ScoopCheney Brothers National Historic Landmark DistrictFaddy's Donuts and Ice CreamRiverfront Miniature Golf & Ice CreamThe Historic Babcock TavernHigh Grade FinishingCraig's KitchenSikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane FighterNavy ZNP-K Airship Control CarRosedale Farms & VineyardsNathan Hale HomesteadBurke Ridge FarmsNecker's ToylandCivil War Monument at Mt. Hope CemeteryGene Pitney Memorial BenchesJoe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race StatueSamuel Field Knight Historic MarkerCarol's LunchboxCountry CasualsDakota RestaurantCountry CobblerBeau's Burger ShackDaniel Glazier TavernMount Southington Ski SchoolAwards & MoreMarquis de Lafayette MonumentThe Little Red StoreRiver Bend BookshopGerry's DonutsTraveler RestaurantFirst Decorated Christmas TreeThe Stanley-Whitman HouseVernon's Santa HouseVintage Radio and Communications Museum of ConnecticutOld Country Banquet HallBrazilian Gula GrillThomas' Smokey Pit StopCongregational Church of Burlington labyrinthNoah Webster HouseThe Bushnell's Green Room WallBelding Wildlife Management AreaThe Aborn CastleHeublein TowerBirthplace of Jonathan EdwardsGrave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman BakerJessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream ShackShade Swamp SanctuaryKen's Corner Breakfast & LunchTolland Red and WhiteThe Packing HouseCold Harbor SeafoodNye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove ParkHosmer Mountain Soda ShackConnecticut Trolley MuseumMatterhorn Mini GolfWood Memorial Library & MuseumHastings FarmLiquid NirvanaIwo Jima Survivors Memorial ParkAcademy HallSouthington Drive-InLittle Theatre of Manchester at Cheney HallSomersvillage Gifts & Gourmet BasketsNew England Civil War MuseumThe Pinchot SycamoreStafford Palace TheaterMansfield Hollow State ParkOld Tolland County Jail and MuseumHill-Stead MuseumMark's Restaurant To register for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.