Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026 - Pomfret, CT

Heart of Eastford's 5K returns 2026!! We are so excited to see everyone race day! Last year we set a new record, and we look forward to smashing the record this year. All proceeds go to a/or individual/individuals in need and the other portion goes to help Eastford Food Pantry. Every year these funds help over 20 families in need. Our Recreation Committee is ready to host 2026's race on June 6th. Registration will open soon and feel free to email with any questions. We Look Foward to Seeing Everyone Race Day!!

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

1-405-249-6724

This is a family friendly 5K Run/Walk event in honor of Ryan French. Ryan was a resident of Thompson and a student in the Ag-Ed Program at Killingly High School. Ryan was also an avid runner on the KHS Cross Country and Track Teams. The proceeds from this race will be going into the Ryan French Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides Scholarships to well deserving Killingly Ag-Ed Seniors going onto higher education.

The race course uses off-road paths that may have exposed rocks and roots which could be a trip hazard to participants. As part of the registration process each entrant is required to sign a liability waiver accepting the risk of possible injury while participating in the event.

PLEASE NOTE: ENTRY IS VIA ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY. Registration shall remain open until 9:15 AM on race day.

Entry Fees:

• Run or Walk

• Over 18 yrs - $30 before July 13, 2026; thereafter, $35

• 18 yrs and under - $25 before July 13, 2026; thereafter, $30 (Note: this age based price will be shown at checkout)

• Kids Fun Run - FREE

Race Shirt:

• A race shirt will be provided to run / walk entrants, subject to availability at the time of registration.

Event Schedule

• Race day check in opens

• Walk participants from 07:15 AM

• 5K participants from 07:45 AM

• Walk start - 8:00 AM

• Kids Fun Run - 9:00 AM

• 5K start - 9:30 AM

Awards:

• Top male, female, and non-binary overall

• Top three male and female age group winners:

• 11 yrs and under

• 12-15 yrs

• 16-19 yrs

• 20-29 yrs

• 30-39 yrs

• 40-49 yrs

• 50-59 yrs

• 60-69 yrs

• 70+ yrs

Notes:

• $50 cash awards shall be given to any male or female who establishes a new course record.

• The current records are: Male - 16:23 (Alex Norstrom, 2022) Female - 18:37 (Angelia Rafter, 2022)

Run with us on Sunday morning, September 27, 2026 on the newly restored Moosup Valley State Park Trail, in Moosup CT. The Kids Fun Run begins at 9:30 am and the 10K race begins at 10:10 am, with the 5K immediately afterwards, about 10:20.

https://ctparks.com/media/2015/download?inline

All runners can park at Griswold Products at 3 River Street, Moosup CT Trail Entrance is the starting and finishing line for all race.

After the race, all runners will receive a choice of medallion or quality tee shirt*, and food and beverage at Moosup Rotary Park,15 Prospect street, Moosup CT, a short walk from the finish line. This race is 100% trail, and only crosses one dead end road, Barber Hill Road. Proceeds support The Rotary Club of Plainfield, CT Foundation, which is focused on food insecurity and women's health products for the underserved members of our local community.

Leashed, well behaved K-9's are welcome!

*You must register by Sept 15 to secure your shirt size!

Individuals and up to 5-person relay teams will enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive volunteers at 4 relay stations during this point-to-point race in Northeast Connecticut. Individual runners can choose between the marathon, half-marathon, and 10K course options.

Want to Tackle the Trail with a TEAM? We’ve got you covered, with marathon Team registration available. Other highlights include; Great prizes, SWAG and the most important part…knowing that proceeds help local students pursue their higher education dreams!

Just 45 minutes from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, Tackle the Trail, Northeast Connecticut’s Unique Race in an Amazing Place!

ALL RACE INFORMATION: TACKLETHETRAIL.ORG