Exhibit Celebrates Annual Manchester Road Race 77 Years After it Started
By Melissa Williams
Special to the Live Wire
The first winner of the road race. Courtesy of manchesterroadrace.com.
An exhibit highlighting the history of the annual Manchester Road Race has opened at MCC on Main and visitors will get a history lesson as they explore the exhibit.
“Thanksgiving in Manchester: History of the Manchester Road Race” opened at MCC on Main, located at 903 Main St., on Nov. 5. It displays posters, costumes, and pictures of past races. A slide show is projected on a wall of pictures taken by John Long, a retired photographer for the Hartford Courant.
A timeline highlights the history of the MRR, which dates back to 1936 when the race had just 12 runners. And costumes, which many, though not all, runners have donned during the annual race on Thanksgiving morning are also displayed. Over the years racers have been both elaborately creative and quaintly plain. Pictures on display show people dressed as pilgrims, turkeys, scarecrows, and much more.
Race memorabilia is also on display, including trophies and silver platters with each winner’s name engraved on it. Winners now receive cash prizes, but in the race’s early days prizes ranged from appliances to nail files and combs. Past runners have donated old race programs, medals and other goods.
One of the original coats worn by the “Plaiders”, runners who wear plaid during the race every year. Courtesy of courant.com
Steve Gates, a runner of the race for 45 years, spoke at the opening ceremony about the legacy behind the MRR.
“This is the place to be on Thanksgiving Day,” said Gates.
A special display is devoted to Julia Chase, the first woman to break the gender barrier and run the race in 1961.
“If a 7-year-old can run, so can I,” said Chase of her initial decision to join the race.
Viewers will be able to learn about Chase’s history along with numerous others as they explore the exhibit.
Admission to the exhibit is free. It will run through Nov. 29. The gallery is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The 78th Annual Manchester Road Race will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Manchester. The race is open to runners, joggers, and walkers. More information can be found on the MRR website: www.manchesterroadrace.com.
