American Olympian Weini Kelati cemented her legacy in American Thanksgiving Day history, winning the Manchester Road Race for the fourth consecutive year. With this win, Kelati became the first woman in the race’s 97-year history to achieve such a feat, solidifying her dominance over the 7.6-km course in Manchester, Conn.
Fourth Manchester Road Race title for Weini Kelati 👏
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Kelati has been undefeated at the Manchester Road Race since turning professional in 2021. Even on a rainy morning, she crossed the finish line in 23:14, beating the rest of the women’s elite field by nearly a minute for the second-fastest time in the race’s history. She set the course record of 22:55 in 2021.
In a post-race interview with the Hartford Courant, Kelati said she felt confident but didn’t know what to expect, knowing that this was her first race since finishing eighth in the women’s 10,000m at the Paris Olympics.
Kelati lives and trains in Flagstaff, Ariz., alongside Canadian steeplechaser Regan Yee, under American coach Stephen Haas. Her victory in Manchester marks a strong start to her 2025 season.
Andrew Colley of Blowing Rock, N.C., pulled off the upset to win the men’s race in 21:09. Battling the weather, Colley told the Hartford Courant he was surprised to see how fast the winning time was. Mexico’s Eduardo Herrera and Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat, both of Flagstaff, finished second (21:15) and third (21:19), respectively.
The Manchester Road Race, first held in 1927, is one of the oldest and most beloved road races in the U.S. Known for its unique 4.75-mile distance (7.6 km), it draws thousands of runners annually. This year, 12,000 participants registered, though the weather likely deterred some spectators and competitors.
Canadians finish 11th
Canada’s Ben Flanagan of Kitchener, Ont., and Erin Teschuk of Winnipeg both placed 11th in their respective men’s and women’s elite fields. Flanagan, who won the race in 2021—becoming the first Canadian male to do so since the 1960s—missed the podium this year. The late Émilie Mondor is the only Canadian woman who has ever won.
For full results from the 2024 Manchester Road Race, visit here.
