Tonight's 20th annual Cigna/Elliot Corporate 5k Road Race could be the biggest in the history of the event.

As of Wednesday night, more than 5,600 runners were registered for the race, which starts at 6:20 p.m. and winds through downtown Manchester from its start at the corner of Amherst and Elm streets, ending at Veteran's park.

“This is a very big field and there is the potential for it to be a record year,” said Susanna Whitcher, vice president of public affairs and marketing at Elliot Hospital. “Weather plays a part in attendance and we've had some hot years. It looks like we might have some showers (for this year).”

The race has become a destination event for runners from all over the world and people who want to come out to watch and cheer them on.

“This really is a premiere event because you get the chance to see a little bit of everything right here in Manchester,” Whitcher said. “We have elite runners from other states and we've had Kenyans come in and and finish in times that are just astounding. Plus you have the corporate teams out there in their logo shirts showing their team spirit.”

A special group from New York City will be making the trip to participate as well.

“We have a group called Achilles Kids coming to race,” Whitcher said. “These are kids with disabilities. We're really happy to have them.”

Whitcher said that just watching the race is also part of the excitement.

“The energy in Manchester on the day of the race is something you have to experience,” she said. “It's so exciting. To participate in a day of health and wellness is so energizing.”

Something new for the runners this year will be a ChronoTrack D-tag. The device will allow runners to check their times before leaving the event.

“There will be a kiosk where runners can take their bib number and see their time right away,” Whitcher said. “No running home to check a website or waiting until the next day. It's something the runners really appreciate.”