CT INSIDER Staff Writer – Sean Barker
The host of the USA Men’s and Women’s 20K Championship will feature arguably its strongest men’s elite field to date when about 5,500 runners converge on the New Haven Green for the annual Labor Day showcase.
This year’s race will include three U.S. Olympians and the women’s course record holder.
Colorado’s Hillary Bor (2016 U.S. Olympian Steeplechase) set the American 20K record in winning last year’s race. Utah’s Conner Mantz won the 2022 Faxon Law 20K and set the American half marathon record this year. He was also the top U.S. runner at the 2024 Olympic Marathon. And Oregon’s Galen Rupp, one of the most versatile US distance runners, returns to New Haven for the first time since winning the race in 2017. Rupp has been on four U.S. Olympic Teams and won a silver medal in the 10,000 in 2012 and a bronze medal in the marathon in 2016.
Minnesota’s Annie Frisbee heads the women’s field. Frisbee finished 8th (2nd American) at this year’s Boston Marathon, where she was he second fastest American finisher. She has run a 1:07 half marathon (fastest in the women’s field). Utah’s Emily Venters (1:08 half marathon best) should challenge Frisbee.
Boston’s Megan Sailor, who finished second in this year’s 25K National Championship in Grand Rapids, Mich., is expected to finish near the top.
The men’s and women’s 20K winners will receive the Ryan Shay Memorial Award. Shay died while participating in the 2007 Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City. The award is in recognition of Shay’s hard work and dedication to the sport, as well as long-time support of the New Haven Road Race. Shay ran the 20K for four years from 2004-2007 and placed 1st in 2004.
“We’re very excited about having many of the country’s top runners compete in New Haven,” John Tolbert, the race’s Elite Athlete Coordinator said in a release. “We have a very deep men’s field. With a cool day, the men’s 20K American record could be in jeopardy.”
This year’s race features a prize purse of nearly $40,000.
This year’s event begins with the Kids Run at 8:10 a.m., followed by the half marathon, 20K, 5K and half marathon relay at 8:30 a.m.
To learn more about the event or to register, visit www.newhavenroadrace.org.