Providence Race Information

Race Info

The 12th running of the Providence Marathon will be held on May 5, 2019. This exciting race day in DownCity will host a marathon, half marathon, 5k and kids fun run.

The Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, May 5 in Downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The Tufts Health Plan Half Marathon will start at 8:00 a.m. from the same location.  The 5k will follow at 8:15 am and the kids race with take off at 8:20 – all from the same great downtown running festival.

Dates and Locations are subject to change.

The marathon course is USATF certified and is a Boston Marathon Qualifier.

GET YOUR BQ in Providence!

The Providence Marathon is quickly becoming a popular race to qualify for Boston. With its early location in the race calendar and its flat course, many marathoners have qualified on this course.  Learn more about qualifying times at this link.

Register for Providence
05/05/2019 07:30

Race Weekend

Weekend Itinerary

Schedule subject to change

Please visit our Participant Page for Athlete Guide and Bib Lists
  • Friday, May 3
    • Race Packet Pick-up/On-Site Registration/Expo
      • Time: 1:00 – 7:00 PM
        Location: Waterplace Ballroom, Omni Hotel, Providence, RI
  • Saturday, May 4
    • Race Packet Pick-up/On-Site Registration/Expo
      • Time:  11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
      • Location: Waterplace Ballroom, Omni Hotel, Providence, RI

Parking & Spectator Locations

Parking on the course is strictly prohibited. Parking is available at the RI Convention Center at a $15 day rate. Additional parking is available at the Providence Place Mall and other lots throughout the city for a fee.

Expo Parking

Parking will be available at the Rhode Island Convention Center at a $15 day rate. Additional parking is available at the Providence Place Mall and other lots throughout the city for a fee.

Race Day Parking

www.parkdowntownprovidence.com

Parking on the course is strictly prohibited. Runners are encouraged to park in the Rhode Island Convention Center or the Providence Place Mall parking garage on race day. Both lots are walking distance from the race start and will not be blocked by the race course for those looking to leave while the race is still ongoing.

Spectator Locations

There are many beautiful locations to cheer on the runners.  See our aid station map for more suggestions.

  • India Point Park in Providence – for all races
  • Blackstone Blvd in Providence – for the half
  • Veteran’s Memorial Blvd in East Providence – for the full
  • RI Country Club in Barrington – for the full

Traffic Impact

The majority of the race is kept open to traffic so please be aware of runners and spectators on the roads.  Exchange Terrace, Memorial Blvd and parts of Gano St, as well as the Gano St exit off of Rt 195 W are closed until 2pm.  For  specific traffic impact on the Eastside of Providence, please click this link.

Race Weekend FAQs
Paper Application for Providence

Race Amenities

Free Photos

As a thank you for joining us for this event, you will be receiving FREE high quality photos from GameFace Media. After the weekend, be sure to keep an eye on your e-mail for a link to view your photos on both desktop and mobile devices. You will be able to download, e-mail and upload these awesome pictures to Facebook with one-click- at NO cost-and share them with all of your fans and friends.

RACE EXPO

The Providence Rhode Races hosts a 3 day Health and Wellness Expo.  With more than 5,000 participants and 10,000 people including spectators, the expo includes over 2 dozen vendors for all your running needs.

If you are interested in being a vendor at the expo, please contact Expo Inquiry

Race Specific Medals and T-shirts

Gender and Race Specific tech t-shirts will be included in your race registration.  Early registration guarantees your selected size.  Registration after April 1, only available shirt sizes will be listed.  Shirts may be exchanged for size at the conclusion of the race.

Race specific finisher medals will be handed out at the finish line to participants of the Providence Marathon and Tufts Health Plan Half Marathon.
*Awards must be picked up in person

LIVE ATHLETE TRACKING

We are pleased to share Live Runner/Participant Tracking for the Providence Marathon is available in the RaceJoy mobile app! Participants must carry their phone and activate tracking within 30 minutes of the race start. You can learn more at www.racejoy.com.

Pace Groups

Pace groups for the marathon will be provided by Rhode Island Road Runners. They will have pacers running at marathon paces of: 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30 and 5:00.  The Tufts Health Plan Half Marathon will have paces of:  1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2 hrs, 2:15, 2:30 and 2:45.

Coaching

Looking for some help and advice to cross that finish line?  Beat your best time?  Qualify for Boston?  We are proud to partner with the experienced coaches at Russo Racing.  They will create a 10 week training plan based on your experience and goals, tailored to the Providence course.

  • Select Training Programs for all Levels
  • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Options
  • One-on-one Coachcing
  • Personalized Training Plan
  • Customized for Providence Marathon & Half Marathon
  • Accessible from any location
  • Ideal for all levels of athletes
  • Optional Russo Racing gear
  • Benefit from over 30 years of racing and coaching experience

Please be sure to click this link and learn more.

Aid Stations

Aid Stations will be available throughout the course. Please review the course maps to see the exact location of all medical and water stops. Some aid stations will have Clif energy gels, Nuun energy drink and bananas.  Port-a-potties will be available at every aid station.  Select aid stations will also have vaseline, cramp cream and bandaids.

Half course:  Miles 1.5, 3.25, 4.5, 6.5, 7.75, 9 and 11.5

Full course:  Miles 1.5, 3, 4.5, 5.5, 8, 11.5, 12.5, 15, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 20, 21, 21.5, 23, 24.5

Course Limits

In order to qualify as an official finisher participants must complete each of the courses within their designated time limits listed below. If you are unable to run within the alotted time, you will be asked to finish the race on the sidewalks while adhering to all traffic laws and on course support and aid stations will be closed.
Marathon – 6 hours
Tufts Health Plan Half Marathon – 3.5 hours
5K – 1 hour

THE GREEN EFFECT

Rhode Races & Events is committed to recycling at this year’s Providence Marathon. Road Races create a lot of waste, but we’ll reduce our footprint by diverting hundreds of pounds of cardboard boxes, water jugs, and plastic bottles from the landfill. To learn more about our race day efforts and how you can help – please click this link.  Additionally – all clothing discarded at the start of the race will be donated to North American Family Institute.

Post Race

All three races finish on Exchange Terrace in Downtown Providence. The post race recovery area consists of food and beverages for the athletes and one complimentary 26.2 Brew beer to all participants of age. The Post Race Festival will be held outside in Burnside Park, next to the runners-only recovery area, with music, 26.2 Brew Beer Garden, race vendors, award presentations and food.

Awards*

  • Top 3 Open Men/ Women

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 19 and under)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 20-29)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 30-39)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 40-49)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 50-59)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 60-69)

  • Top 3 Men/Women (age 70+)

    *Awards must be picked up in person

CORPORATE FIT CHALLENGE Presented by Tufts Health Plan

Rhode Races offers a variety of discounts and packages for companies looking to foster their corporate health and wellness initiatives.  Employees training and participating together helps promote team camaraderie, increased branding and a sense of goodwill.  Join our Corporate Fit Challenge and compete to be the “Most Fit” or the “Most Philanthropic” business.  Learn more here.

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