Write-up & photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com 

The start of the 76th Manchester Thanksgiving Day Road Race is merely hours away in Manchester, Connecticut. It is the town’s biggest annual event, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. Excitement begins building in town a few weeks before race day. Runners can be seen jogging the sidewalks along Main Street on practice outings, signs go up in front of local restaurants inviting runners in and sweatshirts from past Manchester road races become popular attire.

At exactly 10 a.m. the race is scheduled to get under way in front of St. James Church on Main Street. The 4.748 mile course draws world class runners, as well as, aspiring young runners and many area folks who have made it part of their Thanksgiving Day tradition.

According to the Manchester Road Race website: as of November 21, there were 15,000 participants registered; the race will be broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 1410 AM; among the highlights will be the return for the 50th consecutive race of Amby Burfoot, a nine-time winner who first ran the race in 1963; for the fourth year http://www.CT.com is organizing a Costume Contest for registered runners ( those who want to take part are asked to gather in Center Memorial Park between 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. wearing their race bibs on the front of their costumes – the winner will receive a $500 Visa gift card); from the proceeds of last year’s race, $80,000 has been donated to charitable causes.

Once again, I’m hoping to grab a spot near the Army Navy Club to snap photos.