YuLin Zhen, Photography Editor

Over 5,000 Yalies, New Haveners and visitors raced through the Elm City on Monday in the 47th annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race. 

Hours before the start time, the echoes of announcers, commentators and coordinators over bull horns sounded through Old Campus. By 8:00 a.m., the Green was overflowing with runners collecting their bibs, carefully stretching and getting in one last visit to the impressive line of port-a-potties. 

At 8:30, the long column of runners shuffled over the starting line and onto the race course of the 5k, 20k and half marathon. The 2024 New Haven Road Race was the largest since 2018. Among these runners were Lisa and Steve Sawin, who have lived in New Haven for ten years. This was their first New Haven Road Race. 

“I thought it was a really fun route and, like, a really good energy,” said Lisa Sawin. 

As racers crossed into residential neighborhoods, local families staked out on their porches, waved and hollered their encouragement — one even blasted the song “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor to give runners a much-needed boost.

Professor and Associate Head of Pierson College Daniel Botsman cheered on Piersonites from the race course. He runs the New Haven Road Race every year but found this year’s weather particularly challenging.

“I felt the humidity in the homeward leg,” he joked. 

Race Director John Bysiewicz thanked the New Haven community for helping define the event’s energy, including the thousands of spectators and fifteen live bands who lined the course to cheer on and encourage the runners. 

Every police officer in the city was on duty along with countless city employees who dedicated their Labor Day morning to ensuring that the race could be a successful, joyful community event, according to Byziewicz.

“The whole community gets into it. The city is a great supporter of the event, and without them, we couldn’t do what we do,” he said. 

Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs was determined to make Yale’s presence at the race known and felt by all community members. The Office organized the “Chapel Cheer Zone” on Chapel Street outside the Yale University Art Gallery, where attendees enjoyed blue and white balloons, complimentary pastries from Atticus Bookstore Cafe, free cowbells and a sign-making station. 

Associate Vice President of the department, Alexandra Daum, attended with her family. 

“We just wanted to make sure that all these people who come to New Haven to race understand that we are excited to see them, Yale is here,” Daum said. “This is just to show, hey, we’re not just buildings you’re not allowed in, we’re people on the street coming out of the buildings to say ‘hi,’ to welcome you, to say, ‘come be part of our community!’” 

The race also brought dozens of businesses and nonprofits to the Green, including the team of forty-two disabled athletes and guides for Achilles International. Achilles International is a non-profit organization that empowers individuals with disabilities to participate in races. 

Director of the Achilles International Connecticut Chapter Erin Spaulding told the News that Achilles International has been coming back to New Haven for this race for 11 years because of the community and energy of the City. 

“New Haven is just such a community,” said Spaulding. “[It’s] not just a college town, but also people come from all over, not just Connecticut. I think this is such a widely recognized race.”

For some Yalies and New Haven locals alike, the New Haven Road Race has become a time-honored and essential part of the fall season.

Ezra Stiles roommates Alice Fan ’27 and Ava Gordon ’27 were two returning runners in this year’s race.

“We’re looking to make it an annual tradition!” Fan said.

Ezra Stiles College, like some others, paid for 50 students to register for the 5k race this year.