The men and women who defend America will be honored at the 89th Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving Day.
The Manchester Road Race Committee and local veterans’ organizations are joining forces for the eighth straight year to co-sponsor a “Veterans’ Row” tribute for all active duty, reserve, and National Guard service members and military veterans who are participating in the annual holiday run.
A pre-race reception will be held from 8:15-9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27, 2025) on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is located near the corner of Main and East Center Streets in Manchester
All service members and vets will receive a MRR commemorative pin and camo hat with the race insignia. Light refreshments will also be served.
The Armed Forces members and veterans competing in the road race will also be honored when they run by the Veterans’ Row “Path of Honor” near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which will be lined with the flags of all six branches of the Armed Forces.
The Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee, American Legion Post 133 of South Windsor, American Legion Post 102 of Manchester, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2046 of Manchester, DAV Chapter 17 of Manchester,
DAV Department of Connecticut, Elks Lodge 1893 and the Army & Navy Club are co-hosting the tribute with the race committee.
Financial support is being provided by Horst Engineering, Pursuit Aerospace, the Army & Navy Club, DAV Chapter 17, DAV Department of Connecticut, Elks Lodge 1893, and VFW Post 2046. Refreshments will be provided by Highland Park Market,
“Our race has a long and proud association with the local veterans’ community,” said Dr. Tris Carta, President of the Manchester Road Committee. “We want to express our deep appreciation and thanks to everyone who has served in the military.”
Carta pointed out that in 1945, after a 10-year suspension of the race caused by the Great Depression and World War II, the event was revived by three local World War II veterans who convinced the local Army & Navy Club to co-sponsor the event with the town recreation department.
Carta also noted that since it began in 1927, the Manchester Road Race has been won 25 times by veterans of the Armed Forces.
The world-famous Manchester Road Race will be run for the 89th time this year at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The race, which in recent years has attracted more than 10,000 runners—including some of the world’s best long-distance competitors—is run on a 4.737-mile loop course through the town’s central streets. The race starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church.
On-line registration, and more information about the MRR and its Veterans’ Row tribute, is available 24 hours a day at www.manchesterroadrace.com.
