On Thanksgiving morning at 8 a.m. the 8th Annual Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day Road Race will be underway.
The little race “that could” was hoping for 100 runners for its’ first race and ended up having 300 registered runners each year. The cap this year is at 625 runners.
Twelve states are represented this year, with one runner coming as far as Powder Spring, GA.
Our Web site, managed by Jack Walsh, has a plethora of information, stories and video, such as:
We will have 12 States represented with the furthest coming from Powder Spring, Georgia.
We boast the best “Goody Bag” in the region with its’ latest addition being a novel by local author Tim Conlon to the first 300 adults who made their pickup Sunday.
Local businessman David M. Grant is our honorary Race Director.
This race has been run in a driving rain storm and snow storm with many of the runners showing up during that snow storm.
The race starts at Shelton’s Farmers Market and passes under the Commodore Hull Bridge and crosses the Derby-Shelton Bridge under a spectacular American Flag display hoisted by the Hook and Ladder Companies of Derby and Shelton.
The race also passes by or near 5 landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places.
Part of the race, as it starts up Elizabeth Street Derby, can be visible from the starting line in Shelton.
Cheerleaders from both cities will be on hand to cheer on the runners.
Banners from light poles will feature Commodore Hull.
We have firemen lining the course to help direct runners and an inspirational “turn around” at the Derby Public Library.
The Derby-Shelton connection is appropriate for this race because Commodore Isaac Hull, the most famous commander of the U.S.S. Constitution also known as Old Ironsides, was born in Derby and also lived in Shelton.
The U.S.S. Constitution is our country’s oldest active naval ship and is located in Boston Harbor.
