Hamden Man Makes It 40 Years And Counting For New Haven Road Race

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden’s Michael Dolan has been involved with the New Haven Road Race for 40 years and counting.

Dolan, who currently serves as president of the race’s Board of Directors, first became involved when he ran the 20K as a sophomore in high school more than 40 years ago. He has run close to 30 of the New Haven Road Races over the years, including the most recent event last month.

More than 5,000 runners participated in the 47th annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race this past Labor Day.

Dolan, who has been a member of the board of directors for about 30 years, said the board is made up of volunteers who coordinate the event throughout the year.

“The tasks that need to be completed throughout the year include elite athlete recruitment and accommodation,” Dolan said. “The race has been the 20K national championship for the past 18 years. As such, it attracts the country’s top distance runners that include past Olympians. There are a lot of details that going into putting on the race: painting the various mile markers on the course, setting up the 10 water stations, obtaining and distributing post-race food and drinks, securing adequate toilets, distributing bibs and shirts to the participants, and more.”

In this year’s race, the 2023 women’s 20K champion Keira D’Amato of Virginia successfully defended her title with a first-place finish of 1:06:25.

Colorado’s Hillary Bor, a 2016 U.S. Olympian in the steeplechase, additionally claimed victory in the men’s 20K with a time of 58:09. Bor’s performance not only secured him the title but also set a new American record for the 20K distance, according to officials.

Participants took on various race categories, including a 5K, 20K, Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, and Kids Fun Run. Highlights included Samuel Foti from New Haven winning the male category of the Kids Fun Run with a time of 3:05, and Addison Harkins from North Haven claiming the female slot with a time of 3:13.

Colin Slavin from Prospect, secured the male 5K win with a time of 15:31, while Courtney Kitchen of Milford took the female 5K title with a finish of 17:46.

In the Half Marathon, Benjamin Macdonald from Sudbury, Massachusetts, was the male lead with a time of 1:10:01, and Tabea Themann from Hamburg, Virginia, won the women’s category with a time of 1:18:11.

Dolan said some of the accomplishments he’s most proud of during his time with the board is “changing the race course to make the race more accessible to more spectators that helps to provide encouragement to the runners and the Green Initiative we have undertaken.”

“Our efforts have included moving from plastic cups at the on-course water stations and finish to compostable cups, we have worked with local environmental groups to compost and recycle the waste that the event generates,” he said. “We continue to work to reduce the NHRR’s carbon footprint. The event raises a significant amount of money. We proudly donate approximately $20,000/year to local charities.

“The NHRR is a family oriented event that promotes healthy living. I look forward to serving on its board and running the 20K for many more years.”