EAST LONGMEADOW — While hundreds of people turn out to watch East Longmeadow’s Independence Day parade each year, others prefer to take to the street themselves in the Fourth of July Freedom Four Miler.
For the first time this year, the charity race will benefit the East Longmeadow Educational Endowment Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides grants to fund programs and equipment that is outside of the School Department’s budget.
Kevin Lennon, member of the ELEEF Board of Directors, said that previously, the Freedom Four Miler was organized by 4RUN3, a business that filed for bankruptcy in November 2024.
“ELEEF is very excited to bring this back after the closure of 4RUN3,” Lennon said. This is not ELEEF’s first experience with a foot race fundraiser. It had previously organized the Spartan Sprint. “The Spartan Sprint is great, but it usually doesn’t get a huge turnout,” Lennon said. Meanwhile, more than 100 people had registered for the Freedom Four Miler as of June 13. Lennon said he expected that number to double by July 4.
The starting line is near the corner of Maple Street and Crane Avenue and heads toward East Longmeadow High School. The course loops around in a figure-eight, leading runners back to Center Square, before heading up North Main Street and ending on Elm Street at the rotary.
“We’re pretty much following the same route as the parade,” Lennon said. The race will step off promptly at 9:30 a.m., 30 minutes before the parade to avoid any overlap along the course. To further ensure this, there will be a 60-minute cut-off time for runners to complete the course.
Following the race, awards will be presented to the three fastest men and women. “We have one of the largest prize pools in the area,” Lennon said. The first-place prize is $1,250, the second-place prize is $750 and the third-place prize is $500. Because this is ELEEF’s 30th anniversary, the 30th runner to cross the finish line will also win a prize. A prize basket will also be awarded to the “most patriotic” runner, and people are encouraged to dress accordingly.
Participants can register online at tinyurl.com/zbtwuun8. In-person registration on race day runs from 8 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. There is a $40 registration fee to enter the race. People can pick up their packet at Fleet Feet, 680 Bliss Rd., Longmeadow, on July 2, from noon to 4 p.m., and on July 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on race day starting at 7:30 a.m.
To learn more about ELEEF, visit eleef.org.
