Manchester Running Club: Finding Community in Connecticut Running Artwork

New England Endurance Podcast

Celebrating New England's thriving endurance sports culture.

Our mission is to passionately showcase and celebrate the vibrant endurance sports culture thriving in New England. Through engaging conversations, local endurance athlete (Art Trapotsis) embarks on a journey to uncover the essence of the region's clubs, group rides, cherished routes, legendary races, and the devoted community of athletes who proudly call New England home.

From the exhilarating realms of road cycling to the rugged trails of mountain biking, from triathlons to ultramarathons, from open-water swimming to collegiate rowing, this podcast is a tribute to the challenges, victories, and compelling narratives that shape the endurance sports landscape in this distinctive part of the United States.

With a commitment to fostering connections, providing valuable insights, and igniting inspiration, we strive to unite, inform, and empower the New England endurance community.

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New England Endurance Podcast

Manchester Running Club: Finding Community in Connecticut Running

June 05, 2026 • Season 3 • Episode 9

0:00 | 27:11

Hi there! Feel free to drop us a text if you enjoy the episode.

In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, we head to Manchester, Connecticut, to sit down with David Fusfeld, President of the Manchester Running Club.

David shares his own “adult onset runner” story, starting in his 30s, getting hooked on the marathon, qualifying for Boston, completing 23 marathons, and recently earning his Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star medal. From there, we dive into the history and growth of Manchester Running Club, which started in 2009 and has become one of Connecticut’s most active and visible running communities.

The conversation explores how MRC balances competitive racing with a welcoming social culture, why group runs often work best when they mix workouts, breweries, long runs, and coffee, and what makes Manchester such a strong running town. David also highlights the club’s signature events, including the Spring Street Mile & 5K and the MRC Track & Field Series, a summer event that brings hundreds of kids and adults to the track each week and helps introduce young athletes to the sport.

We also talk about the broader Connecticut running scene, the growth of clubs across the state, the iconic Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving, and why David believes Connecticut is “punching above its weight” as a running community.

Whether you’re a competitive runner, a social runner, a parent looking to get your kids involved, or someone nervous about joining a club for the first time, this episode is a great reminder that running is better when you find your people.

Learn more:
Manchester Running Club: manchesterrunningclub.com
MRC Track & Field Series: mrctf.org
Instagram: @manchesterrunningclub

Photography: @meteredexposure

This podcast embarks on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.