Wild Bill Swim & Paddle Challenge 2026

SAVE THE DATE!

The 25th Annual Worcester Firefighters’ 6k is set for Sunday, June 7th, 2026.

After the Worcester Cold Storage Fire on Dec 3, 1999, this road race was created as a living memorial to those men known as the “Worcester Six” – Paul Brotherton, Jerry Lucey, Tim Jackson, Tom Spencer, Jay Lyons and Joe McGuirk.

Sadly, the Worcester Fire Department has had three other members die in the Line of Duty since 1999. Jon Davies in 2011, Chris Roy in 2018 and Jason Menard in 2019. This race continues on to remember their memories and dedication to the City of Worcester.

The Worcester Firefighter’s 6k Road Race is more than just a road race – it’s a block party atmosphere with a BBQ inside Institute Park. Prior to the 6k and 3K walk, there is a Kids 1k for children under the age of 12. The Worcester Firefighters’ 6k is a family friendly event to kick off the summer season.

Please join us on June 7th, 2026 for another great run!

RACE INFORMATION

Date: Sunday, June 7th, 2026

Start Times: 11am Kids 1K Fun Run // 11:30 6K Run/Walk + 3K Walk

Start Location: Institute Park, Salisbury St, Worcester, MA

All participants in the 6K and 3K Walk will be chip-timed.

ONLINE ENTRY FEES

Online registration will close at 7pm on Saturday, June 6th, 2026.

6K Run/Walk

$33 to 3/31/2026

$35 4/1/2026 to 4/30/2026

$37 5/1/2026 to 6/6/2026

$40 Walk Up Registration Race Weekend

3K Walk

$30 to 3/31/2026

$32 4/1/2026 to 4/30/2026

$34 5/1/2026 to 6/6/2026

$35 Walk Up Registration Weekend

Kids 1K – $15

No refunds. No pets. If you are running or walking with a stroller, we ask that you start in the back for safety purposes.

About This Event

Come run our annual 5k to raise money to help prevent suicide in our community! Race starts at 9am at the Oxford Community Center!

We are excited to offer t-shirts with your registration for the first 150 people that signup! There will be medals for the first 150 people across the finish line!

Prizes for top 3 finishers!

Same day bib pickup only! Check in starts at 8am!

Same day race registration will be available for $40

Parking

There is limited parking onsite, it is recommended that you carpool and get there early for parking. More street parking is available nearby.

Course

We are super excited about our mostly flat and fast course! Elevation gain of 108 feet.

There will be a water station at the halfway mark to ensure you stay hydrated! Can't wait to see you out there!!

The Tarentino Strong 5K Run/Walk is proud to invite you to join us in commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Fallen Hero Ronald Tarentino, Jr., on June 14, 2026.The road race was established after Officer Tarentino was killed in the line of duty on May 22, 2016, as a way for our greater community to honor him, his dedication to serving others and to celebrate the relationships he made with many throughout Massachusetts. It is also an opportunity to honor all men and women who have served or continue to serve our great country. It is our hope that this event will continue to bond our community ties by gathering and having fun together for a great cause.

This year’s Tarentino Strong 5K Run/Walk will be held at the Auburn Elks Lodge located at 754 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA. This exciting morning will feature an age 8 and under Kids Fun Run, raffles, DJ, chip timing, live results, and free finish line photos.

Check back to this page for future updates.

Race Registration

5K Run/Walk (10:00 AM Start)

February 8th - February 16th $25.00

February 17th - March 31st $30.00

April 1st– June 13th (7:00 PM) $ 35.00

Race Day, June 14th $ 40.00

Please note, all entry fees are non-refundable

Kids Fun Run: age 8 and under (9:15 AM) $15.00

Race Day, June 14th $20.00

All kids registering for the Fun Run will receive a Tarentino Strong logo water bottle, CUSTOM DESIGNED TARENTINO STRONG KIDS FUN RUN T-shirt and a goodie bag filled with special treats and treasures along with a race medal!

BIB AND SHIRT PICKUP

SNEAKERAMA and TARENTINO STRONG will team up for an early bib pick up event at the popular THURSDAY NIGHT FUN RUN! Join us on THURSDAY, JUNE 11th from 4:30-7:00 PM at SNEAKERAMA, 12 Lake Ave, Worcester. Pick up your bib and shirt, register for the TARENTINO STRONG 5K, and join other fun runners as they make their way along the very popular Lake Ave course. We will be raffling off a free race entry and maybe even a very limited edition, custom water bottle!

EARLY BIB AND SHIRT PICKUP will also be held on Friday, June 12th from 4:30pm-7:30pm at the AUBURN ELKS.

RACE DAY

**Same day registration will be held at the ELKS Club in Auburn from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM. This is also where you will pick up your bib number and t-shirt the morning of the event if you cannot join us for early bib pick-up. Please arrive early in order to provide enough time to get ready before the race starts!

Custom race shirts will be available to the first 1000 registrants. ** Sizes on first come, first serve basis. **

Personalized bibs are guaranteed to all 5K participants registering on or before May 1st.

Race Course

The start of the race will take place in the Auburn Elks parking lot. Runners and walkers will head left out of the Elks lot onto Route 12. From there, participants will turn left onto Warren Ave then onto Bryn Mawr. Runners and walkers will turn around just past Leicester St. then head back to Bryn Mawr, Warren Ave, right onto Route 12, back into the Auburn Elks parking lot for a total of 3.1 miles.

Due to the high volume of runners and walkers, dogs will not be allowed to walk/run on the race route (special service animals are allowed). Strollers are permitted with the walkers.

Parking

Parking is available at the Elks and additional lots nearby.

Uniform Challenge Division

Open to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and military. Participants will run or walk in full duty uniform for the 5K event.

Running in Uniform for Law Enforcement Officers

-Uniform, Ballistic Vest, and Gun Belt

Running in Uniform for Firefighters

-Turnouts, Belt, Helmet

Running in Uniform for Military

-Uniform top on bottom along with hat

Wheelchair Division

The division is open to athletes that are competing either using a wheelchair independently or with a pusher. Awards will be presented to the top finisher.

Team Division

This award will be presented to the entity that has the most individuals registered under that Team Name.

Awards

*Awards will be presented to the top male and female Uniform Challenge first place winners.

*Awards will also be presented to the top overall male and female finishers.

*Age group awards will be presented to the top finishers in both male and female age groups: 9-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

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

About This Event

The Running Out Of Summer 5K, hosted by Rapscallion Brewery & Taproom, is a charity race that directly contributes to local charitable initiatives driven by HOPS. Join us for a scenic, flat, and fast course along the Spencer Rail Trail, followed by an after-party at O’Gara Park!

All entrants will receive a custom super soft race shirt (If registered by August 1), small gift bag, and drink token for any draught (beer, spiked seltzer, or homemade root beer) at any Rapscallion location at any time! In addition, there will be awards for overall winners,teams, and our youngest and oldest runners.

Event Highlights

This event offers more than a t-shirt and cool medal. Come check it out to enjoy a fun-filled day:

—Use your free drink token (comes with registration) to taste the drink of your choice at early packet pick up on Friday night, or save your token for race day or any time thereafter!

—Meet and play with adoptable dogs from the Second Chance Animal Services adoption van.

—Listen to music and have fun!

Awards

There will be awards for first overall male and first overall female. We will also be giving awards for FASTEST and BIGGEST teams!

About The Rapscallion HOPS Foundation:

A 501(c)3 independent non-profit, spearheaded by Spencer and Sturbridge Mug Members, the HOPS Foundation provides financial support to community members in need in Spencer and Sturbridge, MA and the surrounding area. Board Members and other volunteers work together to host charitable events that raise funds for these important initiatives.

About Spencer Parks & Rec

The Spencer Parks & Recreation Commission is an all-volunteer board whose mission is to serve the recreational needs of Spencer residents. The Commission's primary responsibilities consist overseeing maintenance of the communities town-owned parks and recreation facilities, including grounds, roads, parking areas, grandstands, buildings, monuments, playground equipment, and safety equipment. They also develop and supervise recreational programs, including swimming lessons, beach safety, summer recreation for children, holiday parties, dances, and other events.