Annual Leonide J. Lemire 4th of July Road Race

 

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 prior to the pasta dinner.  All runners are invited to attend but must purchase a ticket when registering for the race. 
 

 
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 Community Center and Veterans Council Office on Chestnut Street. The opening stretch offers a fast start before entering the neighborhood streets.

Cisco Street to Morris Street
After turning onto Cisco Street and then Morris Street, runners pass through established residential neighborhoods. This section provides a gentle introduction to the course and an opportunity to settle into race pace.

Rotary and Mechanic Street
The course proceeds through the rotary onto Mechanic Street. This area marks the transition toward some of Southbridge's historic industrial and commercial districts that helped shape the community's development.

Worcester Street
Worcester Street is one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of the race. Runners pass a mix of homes, businesses, and community gathering places while making their way toward the midpoint of the course. Spectators often gather along this section to cheer participants.

Hook Street and Hamilton Street
These quieter residential roads provide a change of scenery and a chance for runners to maintain rhythm before heading toward the western portion of the course.

West Street and South Street
As runners continue onto West Street and turn onto South Street, they travel through classic Southbridge neighborhoods featuring tree-lined streets and community landmarks. This section often provides a welcome boost from local spectators.

Main Street
The course rejoins Main Street and heads back toward the center of town. This area showcases Southbridge's historic downtown corridor and reflects the town's long-standing role as a regional center for commerce and community life.

Elm Street, Caron Street, and Everett Street
The final neighborhood loop through Elm, Caron, and Everett Streets brings runners into the closing stages of the race. These turns signal that the finish is near and provide one last opportunity to push toward the finish line.

Final Stretch – Main Street to Chestnut Street
After turning onto Main Street and then Chestnut Street, runners enter the home stretch. The finish near the Southbridge Community Center is typically lined with spectators, volunteers, and fellow runners celebrating Independence Day and the community tradition of the Leonide J. Lemire Road Race.