EAST GRANBY, Conn. — A Thanksgiving tradition will continue as the 78th Manchester Road Race kicks off next Thursday.
The tradition begins well before the sunrise; at midnight in East Granby, the Road Race Ruckers take to the streets and begin their mission. This year, an expected turnout of 14 athletes plan to brave the cold and dark and make their way to Manchester. The team “rucks” (walks with a weighted backpack) for 26 miles and then joins the field at the Manchester Road Race to complete the 4.7 miles on the course, add it up and it’s 31 miles.
Karri Moran is about to take on her fifth year as a member of the Road Race Ruckers. The daughter of a Vietnam veteran, Moran said her team supports Fisher House for veterans, “We raise money because there are people in the military that aren’t spending time with their family for numerous reasons, and this is our way of giving back and providing for others because they do so much for us.”
Retired Marine Corp Captain Dave Bouchard was the very first Road Race Rucker, he embarked on the 31-mile marathon over a decade ago. Bouchard said, “The purpose is to inspire folks -- plain and simple. It is also to honor our nation’s military and so what better than to ruck 26.2 miles to the starting line (of the Manchester Road Race) and then ruck another 4.7 miles in front of ten thousand people.”
Danielle Zaugg, from East Granby, is joining the Road Race Ruckers for the second time in three years, she said, “it gives me purpose, it feels good to be part of something bigger than me.” Moran added, “it’s my Thanksgiving now, it truly is. Thanksgiving is the Manchester Road Race with 31 miles.”
The Road Race Ruckers are always looking for donations for Fisher House and to find new members to join their team, this year they have a goal to raise 12 thousand dollars. To learn more click here
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram
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