2024 is the 75th running of the Leonide J. Lemire VFW 4th of July 4.9 Road Race in Southbridge. It is the longest running 4.9-mile road race in the country which is run on the Fourth of July.  The race starts and finishes at the Y.  The route takes a scenic course through the town of Southbridge, Runners pass all of the war memorials, the police station and fire station.  The perfect way to start off your Independance Day.  Gun start is 8am.  The Y is normally closed on July Fourth, but locker room facilities will be available for the race. This year's prizes include commemorative t-shirts for the first 200 finishers, age group awards, random prize drawings and refreshments.

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 upwards of $40,000 in 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:
1.  Early bib pick up- Wednesday 4-5 pm at the YMCA Family Branch, 43 Everett Street, Southbridge.
2.  Parking is available at the Credit Union on Main Street on race day.
3. 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.
4. Race will start with the wheelchair athletes at 8:00am, then runners & walkers at 8:05am. 
5. Post race refreshments and prize table will be available 
6. Results will be available online on The EMPIRE Timing Co. website.