MANCHESTER, CT – This year’s Manchester Road Race will have a new feature at the start/finish line – stadium seating in a natural setting.

At the annual Earl Yost pre-race press conference last week, road race officials announced that the grassy hill in front of St. James Church will be used for spectators in 2024.

“It’s a natural slope,” said race director Thayer Redman.

The change will be made to the east side of St. James Lawn. Basically everything is moved around to accommodate the viewers. There will be a large video board on the hill for full coverage of the race. Viewing from the hill is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The area is traditionally used as a corral to organize the rear of the racing team.

The 88th running of the Manchester Road Race is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The race begins and ends on Main Street in front of St. James Church. More than 12,000 runners are expected to take part this year and up to 30,000 spectators will line the course.

The race, one of America’s largest and most popular turkey trot races and designated a World Athletic Label Road Race, is held over a 4.737 mile route through the central streets of Manchester.

Some of the world’s best long-distance runners will compete.

The starting signal sounds at 10 a.m. sharp