Major Corporate Presence In Connecticut Becomes Presenting Sponsor Of Manchester Road Race

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race and Hartford HealthCare Thursday announced a new partnership that will bring "expanded support and visibility" to one of Connecticut's "most cherished traditions."

Beginning in 2026, Hartford HealthCare will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the iconic Thanksgiving Day event, which will be officially named the “Manchester Road Race Presented by Hartford HealthCare.”

The three-year partnership was announced at the annual pre-race Earl Yost News Conference at Manchester Country Club.

This year represents the 89th version of the race.

The 90th running of the Manchester Road Race will take place in November 2026, continuing a legacy as one of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated Thanksgiving Day races, the event draws more than 10,000 runners — including elite international competitors — and more than 30,000 spectators to the streets of Manchester each Thanksgiving morning.

The event is recognized as a World Athletics Label Race.

At the Yost News Conference, Manchester Road Race Committee President Dr. Tris Carta and Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, the chief physician officer for Hartford HealthCare, called the race, "a hallmark of athletic excellence and community spirit."

"I have to you how uplifting it is to be in Manchester on Thanksgiving morning," Cohen said. "This is your tradition and we want to help facilitate that."

Said CArta., "Our financial sponsors are so important, because they enable us to hold the Road
Race and several related events, including a blood drive, luncheons for scholastic and senior runners, and the Little Manchester Road Race for kids, while simultaneously keeping entry fees low, and making significant donations to area charities. That's why we are so pleased to
welcome Hartford HealthCare as the presenting sponsor of the 90 th Manchester Road

This new partnership reflects Hartford HealthCare’s enduring commitment to improving
the health and well-being of the communities it serves, Hartford HealthCare CEO Jef Flaks said.

"The Manchester Road Race is a celebration of community, resilience and health," Flaks said. "We are honored to become the presenting sponsor of this beloved tradition. At Hartford HealthCare, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of supporting events that bring people
together in the spirit of wellness and unity. We look forward to deepening our roots in Manchester and continuing to elevate the standard of care and community engagement across Connecticut.”

Hartford HealthCare is one of four principal sponsors of this year's 89th running of the race.

The sponsors' support helps make possible a series of related events, including a community blood drive, luncheons for scholastic and senior runners, and the Little Manchester Road Race for children—all while keeping entry fees affordable and enabling generous donations to local charities.

For more information about the Manchester Road Race and to register for this year's event, visit www.manchesterroadrace.com .