So the Manchester Road Race has been this thing that happens on Thanksgiving for something like 40 years. I avoided it for years and finally decided one year to run it with my wife and a few friends. If you are interested in just going out for a jog and having fun. Getting dressed up in costume and running 5 miles, than this race is for you. Much like the Holyoke St Patricks day race this race is more about the festivities around the race than the actual race itself. Most people are partying, before, during, and after. There are thousands of runners, about a quarter to a half of which just show up and run. Do not go to this race if you are interested in actually running it for time. Unless you are an elite runner in the starting corral you are going to spend more of the race going sideways trying to get around people. I got stuck behind a bar on wheels for several hundred yards. Yes they had built a bar on wheels and were handing out beers. I totally don't have a problem with this, but this type of race isn't for me. Parking is a nightmare, there is no expo or swag. If there are aid stations, I never saw them. the course scenery is pretty nice, It runs down an old main street to start and finish. Then through some wooded neighborhoods. The course is packed with spectators throughout the entire course so that part is kind of nice. I think people should do this race once, just so they can say they did it and then make their own decision. I personally wont be back.