2008 Manchester Road Race pictures

STEPHEN DUNN / HARTFORD COURANT

Martin Fagan, an Olympian form Ireland, took the lead at this point on the Highland Park hill near mile 2 and never let up. He went on to win the race with a time of 21 minutes, 41 seconds.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Runners warm up in preparation for the 72nd annual Manchester Road Race.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Joan Benoit Samuelson, the honorary chairperson of the 2008 Manchester Road Race, waits for the beginning of the race Thursday morning. Samuelson is the winner of the first women's Olympic marathon.

ROSS TAYLOR / Hartford Courant

Martin Fagan finishes in first place during the 72nd annual Manchester Road Race. Fagan, originally from Ireland, competed in this year's Olympics.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Runners take off along Main Street in downtown Manchester at the start of the Manchester Road Race.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Runners wave to supporters at the start of the Manchester Road Race. More than 11,000 runners participated in this year's event.

BOB MACDONNELL / HARTFORD COURANT

Melissa McGeown of Manchester plays the bagpipes with the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band, who play each year at the Manchester Road Race.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Teyba Naser was the first woman to finish the Manchester Road Race this morning, with a time of 25 minutes.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Runners wore a variety of costumes in this year's Manchester Road Race, including this Pac-Man suit.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

A man dressed as a turkey runs past during the beginning of the Manchester Road Race Thursday. Hundreds of runners wore costume to compete in the race.

ROSS TAYLOR / HARTFORD COURANT

Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first women's Olympic marathon, served as this year's honorary chairperson of the Manchester Road Race. She also ran the race, finishing in 27:28.