Morgan Beadlescomb, the 29-year-old Loveland, Colorado runner who claimed victory in the 2023 Manchester Road Race, will return to the starting line for the event’s 90th edition this Thanksgiving Day. The Manchester Road Race Committee confirmed the news, highlighting Beadlescomb’s unique standing in the race’s history. Officials noted that only three athletes have ever completed the course in under 21 minutes during the past 89 years, a statistical rarity that underscores the difficulty of the route and the caliber of Beadlescomb’s performance.
Colorado runner breaks 21-minute barrier and aims to defend his historic status in Manchester.
Beadlescomb’s connection to the race extends beyond his 2023 win, where he recorded a time of 21:12 and famously proposed to his girlfriend, Lexi Heger, near the finish line. His competitive trajectory has accelerated significantly, as he broke the elusive 21-minute barrier at the 2025 race. In that event, Beadlescomb secured a third-place finish with a time of 20:59, narrowly trailing winner Edwin Kurgat (20:54) and David Mullarkey (20:58). This performance not only cemented his status as one of the few sub-21-minute finishers but also earned him the right to represent the Manchester Road Race at its “twin” event, the Great Manchester Run in the United Kingdom.
Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee, expressed delight at Beadlescomb’s return, stating, “Morgan has a wonderful history at our race and we are really pleased that he’ll be competing here again this Thanksgiving.” As the 2026 event approaches, Beadlescomb enters as a key contender with a proven ability to challenge the course record. His return adds a layer of narrative to the 90th anniversary, pitting a local favorite with a personal story against the elite field that has defined the race’s legacy.
Source: Yahoo Sports
