112 State St, Montpelier VT
Friday, July 3rd, 2026
Kick off Montpelier’s Independence Day parade with Vermont’s fastest mile! This classic one-mile race runs through historic downtown Montpelier in front of thousands of spectators and kicks off the evening festivities. Stick around after the race for the parade, food vendors, music, and fireworks! All ages welcome – kids encouraged to run!
Race Start: 6:00pm
Pre-registration through July 1st: $20 adult / $20 adult with stroller / $15 juniors (14-17) / $10 youth (10-13) / $5 kids (9 and under)
Day-of registration: $25 adult / $25 adult with stroller / $20 juniors (14-17) / $10 youth (10-13) / $5 kids (9 and under)
Day-of registration and bib pickup 3:30-5:30 pm at the Onion River Outdoors tent in front of M&T Bank, 112 State St. in Montpelier.
The route starts on State Street in front of M&T Bank/the Vermont History Museum and goes through downtown to the Main Street rotary and back.
Prizes:
Dash for Cash! $50 each to the first male, female, and non-binary runners of any age to make it from the start line to the corner of State and Main streets (0.2 mile).
Top 3 Adults $100 cash to the first place female, male, and non-binary adult runners; $75 for second place; $50 for third.
Juniors, Youth, and Kids ORO gift cards go to the top three juniors, youth, and kids in each category: female, male, and non-binary.
Course Record Breaker $50 to any runner who breaks the record below.
Current record holders:
F: Heidi Westerling (2007): 5:00 minutes
M: Evan Thorton-Sherman (2022): 4:18:7 minutes
X: Ella Andreoletti (2022): 9:57.3
For more information on the July 3rd Independence Day celebration, visit www.montpelieralive.org/july3
Got questions about the race? Contact Onion River Outdoors at 802-225-6736 or events@onionriver.com
