Bristol, RI
Saturday, June 26, 2027
Race Overview
The Bristol Independence Rhode Race will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2027. 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. Â 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.
Mail-In Application for Bristol; Click Here.
WEEKEND ITINERARY
Schedule subject to change
Packet Pick-Up
Friday, June 25
- 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Bristol Recreation Center, 101 Asylum Rd., Bristol, RI 02809
Race Day
Saturday, June 26
- Race Start: 6:30 AM
- Independence Park, Thames St., Bristol, RI
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. Â 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
Rebecca.L.Montiero@erac.com
*** New for 2027 – The scenic course will start on historic Thames St. in beautiful downtown Bristol.  It will head south, leading runners around the quaint and patriotic downtown, past festive homes, the America’s Cup Museum and along the coast.  With a turn north, runners will follow part of the famous 4th of July parade route as it weaves through the historic downtown neighborhoods and red, white and blue roads of the parade route.  Finally, the course turns south again, hopping onto the picturesque East Bay Bike Path for the final miles, with the race finishing at Independence Park.
The 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.
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. Please visit our FAQs to learn more about the Early Start option.
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 at approximate 2 mile intervals. Water, an electrolyte drink and port-a-potties will be available at every aid station. Some additional aid stations will have bananas and basic first aid supplies. Please review the course maps to see the exact location of all medical and water stops.
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. Â Early registration guarantees your selected size. Â Registration after May 1, only available shirt sizes will be listed. Â 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.  Pappas/OPT Physical Therapy will be on site providing FREE post-race massages.
Join us for the official after-party at Pivotal Brewing, located right on the race course at 500 Wood St. Bristol. Â On race day, show your bib for a free beverage!Â
Top 3 Overal Open/ Women
Top 3 Open/Women (age 19 and under)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 20-29)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 30-39)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 40-49)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 50-59)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 60-69)
Top 3 Open/Women (age 70-79)
First Place 80+
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.
