Est. 1940, the South Boston Boys and Girls Club St. Patrick’s Day Road Roace race is held the same Sunday as the Southie St. Patrick’s Day Parade! This Year’s race will be held on Sunday, March 16, at 9:30am. Most of the race is positioned on East and West Broadway; with the turnaround at Farragut Statue, at Pleasure Bay/Boston Harbor. This classic Boston race follows parts of the famous Southie St. Patrick’s Day Parade route. Stick around for the parade at 1130am! 

This is a 100% charity race, volunteer-run, with all proceeds benefitting teen programs at Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club. Thank you for your support!  You can register here! 

History of the Road Race

St. Patrick’s Day Road Race, a Southie Tradition since 1940

Foot Race origins are with the South Boston Boys Club (as it was then known). The first race corresponded with the opening of the new Clubhouse on W. 6th Street in 1940.

The Linehan Twins were the Race Directors in the early days. In the late ’70s, the South Boston Rotary managed the race for a while.
In the early ’80s, Old Harbor Athletic Club took it over re-instituted it, built it up, and passed it on to the South Boston Boys & Girls Club as a fundraiser, returning it to its original owner.

City Councilor Bill Linehan was the race director for OHAC, and then as a Club Advisory Board member, merged the two. In the ’80s the race started and finished at Broadway Station.

In 1992, Boston hosted the IAAF World Cross Country Championships at Franklin Park and the New Zealand team had an impressive showing at the St. Patrick’s Day Race. Or was it the Canadians? Not sure, but they sure were fast.

In March 1994, the Race moved to its current location at the Edgerley Family South Boston Club.

In 2008, the Race honored Club Alumnus Father Lane who had recently passed away.
2010 was the Big Rain Race, with a Nor’easter throwing over three inches of rain and 30 MPH winds in South Boston. Undeterred, 805 hardy souls completed the race.

In 2011, a record 1,730 finishers blessed us with their presence. The Race honored Club Alumnus Tommy Butler who passed away 16 days earlier.

In 2012, 1,725 people finished the sold-out race on the sunny and exceptionally warm day. The Edgerley Family South Boston Club-member rock band, The Harmaniacs, performed and Boston Bruins forward, Gregory Campbell, was the Official Race Starter.

Four days after a blizzard, in breezy and chilly conditions, 1,150 runners competed and showed great spirit.  Hayley Sutter of Lincoln NE/Brighton MA defended her 2016 title and also set a new modern era female course record.

The Connolly Medal is given to the first South Boston resident to finish the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. It is named for James Brendan Connolly, a son of South Boston, who medaled in the 1896 Olympics in Athens and is considered the first modern Olympic champion.

Clifford Jewelers kindly donates the medal each year. There is a statue of him at Moakley Park in South Boston.

The Father Lane Medal is awarded each year to the first place Edgerley Family South Boston Club Kid Finisher.

Public Service Announcement – Road Race – Traffic Delays – Date: March 16, 2025

Expect Traffic Delays from 9am-11am AM on Broadway: E Street to Farragut Statute

Cityside neighborhood in the vicinity of the Club will be affected 9:00 AM – 11am

W 6th Street from E to Dorchester St and F from Tudor to W 5th closed to traffic from 9-12.

Some Parking Restrictions Apply Next to the Club –

NO PARKING W 6th, F to Dorchester – both sides NO PARKING F St from W 6th to Bowen (Club-side only)

Please Look for Fliers and BTD Signs

If you’re around Sunday morning, show our runners your Southie spirit and give them a warm and festive welcome.