Annual Leonide J. Lemire 4th of July Road Race 2026 — Southbridge, MA

The Leonide J. Lemire 4th of July Road Race in Southbridge is one of the longest running road races in the country! The route takes a scenic course through Southbridge passing all monuments and memorials honoring our local veterans. This race is the perfect way to start off your Independence Day. The Local VFW Post 6055 created the 4.9 mile road race to honor Leonard J. Lemire, a Southbridge native who was killed at Pearl Harbor while serving on the battleship USS West Virginia. He was the first Southbridge resident casualty of WWII. The length of the race is now a 5-miler. This year there, 2026, is a New Start and Finish location The race has come home to the Veteran Council Office MISSION OF THE VETERANS COUNCIL OF SOUTHBRIDGE: Promotes the welfare and provide support to all Veterans of the Town of Southbridge who served in the United States Armed Forces Honorably. NEW Location: The Community Center in Southbridge 153 Chestnut Street, Southbridge, MA 01550 https://www.facebook.com/southbridgeveteranscouncil/ Cost, cut off dates, and what it includes: $25.00 Registration to open February 15th Includes: A race t-shirt with new logo, early number pick up $30.00 June 20th- July 1st no race t-shirt option, early number pick up $35.00 July 2nd- Race day sign up- no race t-shirt option Add Ons -Pasta dinner ticket for registered runner $5.00 for guest $10.00 NEW This year’s race will include a pasta dinner on July 3rd, hosted by the Veterans Council of Southbridge, Veterans Council of Southbridge Auxiliary, and Race Committee Members at the Community Center, 153 Chestnut Street. The evening will be a time to remember, celebrate, and honor our Veterans—while also enjoying a chance to carb-load before race day. Number pick up will be on July 3rd, (4:30pm-5:30pm) prior to the pasta dinner. All runners are invited to attend but must purchase a ticket when registering for the race. Pasta dinner starts at 5:30pm. All proceeds after race expenses are met, benefit the Veterans Council of Southbridge. https://www.facebook.com/southbridgeveteranscouncil/ RACE RESULTS FOUND ON: empiretiming.com Gun start is 8am. Finisher prizes for age groups along with random prize drawings and refreshments will be provided. Race Day Schedule Pre-race opens at 7am Start-line line up 7:50am Race start 8am for chairs 8:03am for runners Awards to start at 9:15am Awards will be for in person only: 1st overall Male/Female Southbridge Resident 1st Male/Female Military 1st Male/Female Duo chair team 1st Solo chair 1st Male/Female 1st Male/Female in the following Age Groups: 10-19 20-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Additional Race Instructions: Amenities at Community Center: Restrooms and Parking The Course and Finish areas: Police and Race Marshals will be leading, tailing, and marking the route at all turns. The course passes all military monuments and will pass over a bridge honoring the towns veterans. The course will have two water stations. The first water station is on Hamilton Street near Morrill's Funeral Home. The second water station is found at the top of West Street. Water hoses cooling runners are set up in front of the fire station on Elm Street. Water, finger sandwiches, and fruit will be provided at the finish line. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in age groups as well as military, solo and duo chair, overall, and town of Southbridge categories. A random draw prize table for all entered runners and volunteers. Results will be available online on The EMPIRE Timing Co. website. Race support: Volunteers from a local running group clear the course pre-race and support runners along the course. Police support the race at the start, at all major intersections, and tail the runners so all come in safely. Road Marshalls are situated along the route for road safety. Local scouts hold and honor our flag at the start of the race as well as help at the water station and prize tables. Race Crew and Veterans give their time and expertise on race day and all year long to make this long running event memorable and special. Veterans Council-Veterans Race Marshall supports all aspects of the race. Links: https://www.facebook.com/southbridgeveteranscouncil/ Donations: https://app.seemylegacy.com/communityfullview/recCUmNBjtMAKbEKl Tax ID: 86-3931910 Memorial Significance The race honors Leonide J. Lemire, whose legacy of community involvement and civic pride continues through this annual Fourth of July tradition. Participants not only compete in a road race but also take part in a longstanding Southbridge community event that brings together runners, families, volunteers, veterans, and local organizations. Course Summary Distance: Approximately 5 miles Terrain: Paved roads throughout Course Type: Road race with rolling neighborhood streets Key Features: Historic downtown areas, residential neighborhoods, community landmarks, and a festive Independence Day atmosphere Start – Chestnut Street Runners begin near the Southbridge Commu