Manchester Road Race Spectator's Guide

(Credit: John Long)

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Each year, tens of thousands of avid sports enthusiasts wake up early Thanksgiving morning and flock to Manchester to be a part of the annual Manchester Road Race. Some run, some walk and still others find their place along the sidelines, coffee or beer in hand, ready for the biggest party of the year.

Established in 1927, it is the third largest race in New England and stands among the 25 largest distance races in the country. 2009 marks the 73rd running of the Manchester Road Race, with proceeds from the event going to support Muscular Dystrophy research and other local charities.

Runners come from around the country and across the globe to show their stuff on the difficult, hilly 4.7-mile course. Often costumed, shirtless or, on rare occasion, barefoot, eager contestants shrug off wind, rain, snow and sometimes frigid temperatures to participate in this legendary race. Main Street closes to traffic at 7 a.m. and downtown is usually packed with upwards of 40,000 spectators by 9 a.m., awaiting the 10 a.m. gunshot.

Whether you’re a Connecticut native or just passing through, this is a spectacle you won’t want to miss. And Metromix has the skinny on where you can go to best enjoy the race this Turkey Day—that is, if you don’t plan to run it yourself. So hit up one of these great venues for some good ole fashioned warmth, sustenance and cheerful libation, and enjoy the party.

Great Harvest Bread Company
809 Main St., Manchester, 860-647-8837
Thanksgiving Day: 7:30 a.m.-noon

A longtime favorite of Manchester natives, Great Harvest Bread Company is located on the east side of Main Street between Birch Street and Purnell Place. Its prime location provides spectators an excellent vantage point from which to watch eager runners as they line up in the runners' alley and cheer them on after the 10 a.m. gunshot. Open for its fifth annual race day, Great Harvest will sell breads, muffins, scones, cookies, coffee and hot chocolate on Thanksgiving to feed the ravenous crowds, with all proceeds going to MACC (Manchester Area Conference of Churches).

Mulberry Street
981 Main St., Manchester, 860-645-8646
Thanksgiving Day: 8 a.m-1 p.m.

The newest addition to Main Street's rapidly growing dining scene, Mulberry Street is a casual pizzeria and bar in the heart of downtown Manchester serving creative pies named after popular Hollywood movies. Located in the same building that once housed the eclectic and funky Café on Main, Mulberry Street's bar will be open for its second Manchester Road Race this year, serving a simple menu of hot chocolate, coffee, soups and tasty breadsticks. And, although pizza won't be on the menu, with taps a-flowing "The Mulb" will provide plenty of reason for curious crowds to swing by and see what all the buzz is about.

Army & Navy Club
1090 Main Street, Manchester, 860-649-8930
Thanksgiving Day: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Another great spot to watch the Manchester Road Race is the Army & Navy Club, located at 1090 Main Street. Many spectators choose to park along Forest Street and congregate on the front lawn of the club, which provides a great view of all the action and excitement on Main Street. Usually packed from wall to wall inside and from the front of the building to the sidewalk, The Army & Navy Club will sell coffee and donuts to famished onlookers Thanksgiving morning. Entertainment is provided by the "Sphinx Shrine Band," who perform traditional music during the event to get the crowds cheering.

The Hungry Tiger
120 Charter Oak St., Manchester, 860-649-1195
Thanksgiving Day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

The Hungry Tiger is one of the area’s most popular clubs to catch local musicians and national touring acts. On Thanksgiving morning, this tiny restaurant and bar is packed from wall to wall with loyal customers who return to watch the Manchester Road Race and enjoy The Tiger’s biggest party of the year. Located on mile one at the base of the famous “heartbreak hill,” the taps start flowing at 9 a.m. on race day, accompanied by a free Thanksgiving buffet at 11 a.m. This year the festivities promise to be even rowdier, with the Tiger's new outdoor bar, an expanded patio and kickin' Bloody Marys. Runners and spectators alike are invited to stick around for the yearly outdoor photo, which will be taken at noon to be proudly displayed among the gallery of previous years’ road race photos. The Hungry Tiger will then re-open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a full night of rock covers supplied by Mark and the men of Gradyseasons. There will be a $4 cover for the show. So slough off that tryptophan-induced coma and get out to The Tiger for some serious partying Thanksgiving night.

Rocco’s Pizza & Grill
55 E. Center St., Manchester, 860-645-7777
Thanksgiving Day: 8 a.m.-noon

With a prime location about a half mile from the finish line, 2009 will mark this Italian/Greek restaurant's third annual Manchester Road Race celebration. For $10, runners and spectators can purchase “Team Rocco’s” T-shirts to proudly display their loyalties, with all proceeds going to support the MACC soup kitchen. During the entire week of Thanksgiving, Sam Adams drafts will cost only $2. On race day, Rocco’s will offer a full bar to accompany free—and tasty!—breakfast pizzas. Rocco's will also provide outdoor tents in the event of inclement weather, so grab your beer and get out on the curb to cheer on those bleary-eyed runners in their last dash to the finish! Runners—don't forget that Rocco's will be selling $1 Sam Adams drafts to runners who bring along their race bibs.

Corey's Catsup & Mustard
623 Main St., Manchester, 860-432-7755
Thanksgiving Day: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Just what the doctor ordered for Downtown Manchester, Corey's Catsup & Mustard is a local burger bar serving the classic sandwich in creative new ways. This popular joint will celebrate its second Manchester Road Race this Thanksgiving Day. Located along the final stretch of the race, it also provides the perfect vantage point for spectators to watch as runners cross the finish line—and is the closest spot for runners to grab a beer immediately post-race. To top it all off, Corey's will be offering Happy Hour prices and specials, with live music supplied by Six String & Rhythm.

Parking & Shuttle Bus Information

A free shuttle will be provided to a central drop off area just a few blocks from the starting line. The shuttle will have three pick-up locations: Manchester Community College's parking lot C, the commuter parking lot in Bolton (adjacent to the old Manchester Drive In) and the State of Connecticut Social Services Department parking lot at 699 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester. Shuttle service is free for race spectators and participants. All are encouraged to be ready to load buses by 8:30 a.m. to ensure plenty of time to enjoy the race and get into the starting pack. No pets allowed. Highway message signs will direct drivers to the shuttle locations.

If parking downtown, use Manchester public parking lots behind the stores on the east side of Main Street. Keep in mind that because of the race, Main Street closes to traffic at 7 a.m. Any cars parked on I-384 will be towed.

With such boisterous goings-on in the vicinity of the Road Race, the only challenge will be deciding where to hunker down for this year's festivities. So, bundle up and head to downtown Manchester to get in on all the fun and properly kick off the 2009 holiday season. It's a spectacle you won't want to miss!