Printer Friendly Version - Local Runners Keep New Haven Road Race Streak Alive

For the 43rd-straight year, a few local residents ran in the 20K Faxon Law Group New Haven Road Race, which was contested virtually this year. Pictured are the traditional starting line are New Haven Road Race vice president Frank Alvarado with runners Steve Praskievicz (Bethany), Jim Kennedy (North Haven), Peter Sanchez (Branford), Rick Conte (Branford), Charlie Matassa (New Haven), Walt Messersmith (Hamden), and Jim McCormack (West Haven), as well as previous New Haven Road Race president John Courtmanche. Photo courtesy of Bill O’Brien

A handful of dedicated area runners recently completed the 20K (12.4-mile) Faxon Law Group New Haven Road Race for the 43rd-consecutive year. The race is typically held each year on Labor Day morning, starting and finishing on the New Haven Green.

This year, the Faxon Law Group National Championship 20K race, along with the half-marathon, 5K, and kids’ race, were all canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, approximately 5,000 runners competed in the four races.

Due to COVID-19, a virtual race was organized for this year’s New Haven Road Race. Participants were allowed to run their chosen distance at any point during a two-week period, after which their times were included among the results of other people who competed. More than 800 people registered for the virtual race.

This year’s pack of participants included several local runners who were competing in the 20K New Haven Road Race for the 43rd year in a row. The runners who did so include Branford residents Rick Conte and Peter Sanchez, North Haven resident Jim Kennedy, Steve Praskievicz of Bethany, Hamden resident Walt Messersmith, Charlie Matassa of New Haven, and West Haven’s Jim McCormack.