Annual Leonide J. Lemire Road Race 4.9 Mile Run

Annual Leonide J. Lemire Road Race 4.9 Mile Run

The Leonide J. Lemire VFW 4th of July 4.9 Road Race in Southbridge is the longest running 4.9-mile road race in the country! The race starts and finishes at the Y. 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. Gun start is 8am. The Y is normally closed on July Fourth, but locker room facilities will be available for the race. Finisher prizes for age groups along with random prize drawings and refreshments will be provided.

A little about the history of this race: The VFW Post created the 4.9 mile road race to honor Leonard J. Lemire, the 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. All proceeds from this race go to YMCA in Southbridge, which annually gives memberships for our military, veterans and those on active duty.

Race Information:

• Location: Tri-Community Family Branch, 43 Everett Street, Southbridge, MA 01550
• Start time: 8:00am
• 2 Water stations along the race route
• 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:

• Early bib pick up at the YMCA Family Branch, 43 Everett Street, Southbridge.
• Parking is available at the Credit Union on Main Street on race day.
• Parking in the YMCA lot is reserved for staff, volunteers and Team Hoyt New England. The lot will be closed at 7:15am. Cars will not be allowed to leave until the completion of the race.
• Race will start with the wheelchair athletes at 8:00am, then runners & walkers at 8:05am.
• Post race refreshments and prize table will be available
• Results will be available online on The EMPIRE Timing Co. website.