Prize Money Increased for 82nd Manchester Road Race

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester Road Race officials on Friday announced increased prize money for the top three male and female finishers in 2018.

This year’s male and female champions will earn $7,000. The winners previously received $4,000.

The second-place payout in each division has been increased from $3,000 to $4,000. Third-place finishers will be awarded $3,000, a bump of $500.

“We hold our road race each year to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and a number of other charities and non-profit organizations,” said Dr. Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee. “But it is necessary to increase the prizes for our top three finishers in order to continue to attract the world’s best elite runners to compete here.”

Carta said that the committee will continue to offer a $1,000 special bonus to the first man and woman to ascend the course’s Highland Street hill during the race. A bonus of $2,000 is also up for grabs for anyone breaking the male or female course record. Buze Diriba of Ethiopia won the women’s championship and set a new course record of 23:57 last year.

Olympic Silver Medalist Paul Chelimo of Colorado Springs, won the 2017 Manchester Road Race with a time of 21:32.

The 82nd Manchester Road Race is slated to start at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22). The race starts and finishes on Main Street, in front of St. James Church.

On-line registration forms and additional information are available on the road race website, www.manchesterroadrace.com.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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