Manchester Road Race, live.

A Thanksgiving morning tradition over 4.737 miles

The Manchester Road Race returns to Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut, at 10:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, 26 November 2026.

The Manchester Road Race is a Thanksgiving Day road race of 4.737 miles, starting and finishing on Main Street. The organising committee aims for a world class race that is safe, fun and family friendly, and money raised goes to charity once costs are paid. In 2026 the main charitable objective is helping neighbours access affordable shelter.

The race has hosted some of the world's greatest runners. Weini Kelati set the women's record of 22:55 in 2021, and in 2025 three men broke the open course record, with Edwin Kurgat lowering it to 20:54.

It is also a race for everyone. Costumed runners have become a tradition, and walkers are welcome: they assemble at the Walkers Mall in front of St. James Church and file in once the runners have crossed the start line. Main Street closes at 5:30 a.m. and roads crossing the course close at 9:00 a.m., so plan to arrive early, dress warmly and leave headphones at home, since they are not allowed on the course.

Nobody can enter or leave the interior of the course while the race is on, so spectators should pick their spot early. Anyone who cannot make it can transfer to the virtual Manchester Road Race.

On Livebib you can follow a participant who chooses to share their own live position from the phone they carry. That position comes from the participant, not from the organiser's timing, and the official results are published by the organiser.