The Rhode Island Half Marathon and 5K is set for this May. Choose from either the half marathon or 5K, which offer some of the best views in Rhode Island, including scenic views of Narragansett Bay and the iconic Providence skyline along the East Bay Bike Path. The Rhode Island …
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The Rhode Island Half Marathon and 5K is set for this May. Choose from either the half marathon or 5K, which offer some of the best views in Rhode Island, including scenic views of Narragansett Bay and the iconic Providence skyline along the East Bay Bike Path. The Rhode Island half marathon course is USATF certified.
The Rhode Island Half Marathon will be capped at 2,000 participants. Once the half marathon field is sold out, a waitlist will be opened in the event more slots become available.
All race half marathon and 5K participants will score a technical Race T-shirt as well as a finisher’s medal. Food trucks and a beer garden will be onsite.
Both USATF-certified and city-approved courses conveniently start and finish at Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence, RI. A mostly flat, fast course, the Half Marathon follows Veterans Memorial Parkway before looping back to return on the East Bay Bike Path, which offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay and the Providence Skyline. The course features several points where runners find water on both sides of them, showcasing the impressive beautify of Rhode Island’s more than 400 miles of coastline.
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Great Race and Fun Event
We ran the half marathon last year and returned this year for the nice 5k option. It was a great production and the race started on time. The only thing … MORE
We ran the half marathon last year and returned this year for the nice 5k option. It was a great production and the race started on time. The only thing we didn’t prefer was that the medal and shirt didn’t match. We were hoping for a black/green shirt but only the medal was that scheme. The medal fabric was cool as it had a spot for you to write your time on. The packet pick up was quick and easy.
A great option if you’re pressed for time and can’t commit to running the half (like we were).
Awesome Race
We loved that this was our first ever half marathon! The race course was well marked and had great hydration/water stations. The on course cheering sections were very encouraging and … MORE
We loved that this was our first ever half marathon! The race course was well marked and had great hydration/water stations. The on course cheering sections were very encouraging and there were dis set up from the race start/finish, half way, and I believe mile 10. It was quite the party! Can’t beat the views of the bays and bridges on the E. Providence bike path as well. I would definitely come back for this race.
Nice race, fun vibe
This course had some rolling spots and one decent climb. The scenery was not as exciting as I thought it might be. More neighborhoods and less coastline. But there was … MORE
This course had some rolling spots and one decent climb. The scenery was not as exciting as I thought it might be. More neighborhoods and less coastline. But there was good crowd support through many of the neighborhoods. Logistics were pretty manageable including the chance to pick up your packet the morning of the race. Give yourself plenty of time to park, get to the pickup tent and go to the bathroom. Things were pretty crowded. Swag was ok – shirt and medal were not all that exciting. This was a nice race but I would not say a bucket list race. Volunteers and staff were friendly and helpful and getting into Providence is pretty easy. The final line/after party were nice. The race finished at a small local stadium. There was a band, food trucks and a breakfast sandwich/beer for runners.
Nice view of Providence
Changed from the Half to the 5k because of a significant knee injury. I walked the 5k. Started outside a high school football field. About 1.5 miles in, the course … MORE
Changed from the Half to the 5k because of a significant knee injury. I walked the 5k. Started outside a high school football field. About 1.5 miles in, the course turned to a paved bike path that had water on both sides and a great view of Providence. The medals were very tiny, although fortunate to get a medal for a 5k and the race shirts ran very small. I asked to go up a size and was told to come back after the race. No one was there at the tent when we finished.
Good race production and event
Course is good with nice views of the water along much of the route. After the first few miles the course is mostly flat, making it a good race to … MORE
Course is good with nice views of the water along much of the route. After the first few miles the course is mostly flat, making it a good race to try for a PR or great time. Race production and communication was done well. Good after event atmosphere and snacks.
Race was good, pre & post race need work
Communications up to race day were clear and sufficient. Bathrooms were a HUGE miss, barely any available with huge lines up to the minute the race started. There was a … MORE
Communications up to race day were clear and sufficient. Bathrooms were a HUGE miss, barely any available with huge lines up to the minute the race started. There was a decent line at the Port-a-Potty at the first aid station even. Staging area also was not separated from spectators, causing some confusion in terms of who was running and who was spectating.
Aid stations were great, plentiful and well stocked and manned. Course a bit hilly but not that hard overall. Very nice scenery, especially the views of the bay. Pacers seemed a bit all over the place but not sure organizers can do much about that.
Post race was a letdown to be honest. Wasn’t organized at all. Being handed single donut holes, having tables randomly scattered with bananas and stroopwaffels, and standing in line while the brewery’s payment system wasn’t working just didn’t have the same vibe as other races I’ve done in the area (especially since our free beer ticket wasn’t usable at the race, we felt misguided into thinking we’d get a free one at the race).
They also sent out race photography, which was a link to a photo dump with no ability to search and a high fee to even download without watermarks. Not great.
Overall, would recommend if you’re just looking for a casual race to fill out your spring schedule. Hope they upgrade the bathroom situation and post-race next year.
It was a well run race.
Only two issues, not enough bathrooms for pre-race. Only way to get the free beer with your ticket was to go to the brewery which didn’t open for almost 4 … MORE
Only two issues, not enough bathrooms for pre-race.
Only way to get the free beer with your ticket was to go to the brewery which didn’t open for almost 4 hours after I was done running. Kind of ridiculous.