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.

Modern Era Records

• Male: James Dandeneau Jr., 14:04, Attleboro, MA, 1995
• Female: Rosie Donegan, Brighton, MA , 16:13, 2019