GALLERY: Pageantry Of The Manchester Road Race Through The Years

Manchester CT

26 November, 2020

8:25 AM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — The streets of central Manchester were relatively quiet on Thanksgiving morning. It was another testament to the snags thrown by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic forced the 2020 edition of the Manchester Road Race to go virtual, leaving the usual 11,000 runners to complete the 4.748-mile race on their own rather than run in front of the screaming throng that packs the course sidelines. About a hundred runners did trek the usual course Thursday, braving the rain and chill. In honor of the great local race, here's a look at 20 images of past events for 2020. OK ... 21 counting the big turkey. 1. The Distance A creative way to display the creative distance. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 2. The Elite World class distance runner Edna Kiplagat. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) 3. The Local Olympic steeplechaser and Glastonbury native Donn Cabral. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) 4. The Curve The curve early in the race. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 5. The Irish Connection John Treacy. (Manchester Road Race) 6. The Legend Running legend and 9-time race winner Amby Burfoot. (Manchester Road Race) 7. The Entertainment The Army/Navy Club porch is a stage. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 8. The Pack A pack leaving Main Street. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 9. The Prez Presidents often run the Manchester Road Race. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 10. The Wheels A wheelchair competitor. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 11. The Cold Two years ago, the wind chill was zero. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) 12. The Middle Of The Pack The middle of the pack near Mile 4. (Chris Dehnel) 13. Mile 4 Elite runners have to make decisions at Mile 4. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) 14. The Kick A wild finish in the early 1980s with Patch editor Tim Jensen in the center in the light blue shirt. (Wayne Jensen) 15. Mellow Yellow A team at the Manchester Road Race. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 16. Besties Besties often run together. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) 17. Whole Lotta Run A rock band playing Led Zeppelin songs on the course. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 18. In-a-Gadda Pinata A pinata about to overtake a pink bunny. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 19. The Corral The start of the race. (Tim Jensen/Patch) 20. The End The downhill home stretch. (Tim Jensen/Patch)