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Bristol, RI

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Race Overview

The Bristol Independence Rhode Race will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025. In partnership with the Bristol Fourth of July Committee, the half marathon will follow the beautiful downtown streets of America’s quintessential community when it is decked out in its finest – during the Oldest 4th of July Celebration in America. The course includes incredible historic homes, a town common and the America’s Cup Museum before heading out along the scenic coastline, through Roger Williams University and finishing along the water at Independence Park.

***New – a Two Person Relay has been added to this event.  Register as a team, with the first leg being 7.5 miles, an exchange at Roger Williams University, and a second leg completing the 5.6 mile distance. All Male, All Female or Co-Ed teams are offered.

patriotic trio finishing

Mail-In Application for Bristol; Click Here.

WEEKEND ITINERARY

Schedule subject to change

Packet Pick-Up

Thursday, June 26

Packet Pick-Up

Friday, June 27

Race Day

Saturday, June 28

Race Packet Pick up & On Site Registration 5:00-6:15 AM

Race Resources

  • Guiteras School
  • There are a number of municipal lots on Thames St.
  • On street parking on Hope St.
  • Across from Town Hall on Court St
  • Across from Oliver Bldg, near the Town Common on State St.

Things to Do

Enjoy all the sights and sounds of historic Bristol and the East Bay while visiting.  Participate in the Oldest 4th of July Celebration in America with a walkable downtown, concerts and stellar restaurants.

Visit this link for a full schedule of events to continue your race weekend fun.

To learn more about what to do while in the area – visit Explore Bristol, Discover Warren and Discover Newport.

 

Travel Info

Lodging

Bristol features a number of quaint Bed and Breakfast Inns.  Bristol Guest Suites is one such example of a beautiful inn that is also right on the race course.  Please contact them directly for rates and availability.

Rental Car

Enterprise is the official rental car company of Rhode Races & Events, book your rental through Enterprise and save 5% off their posted price and 10% at National.  Use discount code – XZ49463 or reserve through this link.

Here are a few of the benefits that Enterprise Rent-A-Car can provide:

  • Discounted rate structures and incentives for group bookings

  • Free pickup and return service to almost every hotel in the Greater Providence Area

  • On site airport locations, able to honor your group’s discounted rates

  • Over 60 different makes and models to accommodate most needs

  • Over 30 locations in the Rhode Island, Southeastern MA area

Contact information

401-490-2073
[email protected]

The scenic course will start on historic Thames St. in beautiful downtown Bristol.  It will lead runners around quaint and patriotic downtown, past festive homes and the America’s Cup Museum – following part of the famous 4th of July parade route.  The course heads out, weaving through the historic downtown and red, white and blue roads of the parade route before heading south through beautiful Roger Williams University and their coastal pedestrian path, finishing against the backdrop of the Mt. Hope Bridge and Narragansett Bay, rejoining the parade route and the finish at Independence Park.

Please note – parts of the course are unpaved.  There are some shell paths along the water.

Course limit is 3.5 hrs.  There is an early start option if you need more than 3.5 hrs.  Please select this during your registration.

Please check out our blog to learn more specifics about race day, as well as our race video for some great highlights.

Click here to download a PDF version of the map.  This link will bring you to a interactive Google map complete with GPS coordinates for start, finish, aid stations and more.

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.  As this is a hard time limit, there is an early start option for those that need longer than 3.5 hrs.
Half Marathon – 3.5 hours

Pace groups for the half marathon will be provided by Rhode Island Road Runners. They will have pacers running at half marathon paces of: 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and 3hrs.

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 GU Energy gels, Nuun electrolyte drink and bananas.  Port-a-potties will be available at every aid station.

Mail-In Application for Bristol; Click Here.

Race Amenities

As a thank you for joining us for this event, you will be receiving high quality photos. 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.

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

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

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

Join us along the water for a family friendly post-race festival with music and fun!  Relax and roll out in our Recovery Zone.  OPT Physical Therapy will be on site providing FREE post-race massages.

  • 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 70-79)

  • First Place 80+

  • First Place Non-Binary

2 Person Relay Event will award Top Male Team, Top Female Team and Top Open Team (Co-Ed/Non-Binary)

*Awards must be picked up in person

Our Sponsors

If you’re interested in becoming a race sponsor, please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.