By Edward Fitzpatrick Globe Staff,Updated October 25, 2024, 2:31 p.m.
PROVIDENCE — The Providence marathon and half marathon will return in 2025, one year after those races were canceled because of the closure of the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge.
The races will follow a new route, designed to minimize disruptions for those affected by the Washington Bridge closure, organizers say.
About 5,000 runners participated in the races two years ago, making them the largest marathon and half marathon in Rhode Island. But the 2025 Providence Rhode Races will be limited to a “boutique field size” of 2,500 runners, and the races will begin and end at Bold Point Park in East Providence, rather than in downtown Providence.
The marathon, half marathon, and a 5K will take place on May 4, 2025. The races will be produced by Rhode Races & Events, a Rhode Island-based company formed by Susan Rancourt and Karen Zyons, rather than by Ventures Endurance LLC, a subsidiary of Gannett.
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“We are thrilled to welcome Rhode Races back to the capital city once again for an exciting, safe running event that thoughtfully takes into account our current traffic patterns,” Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley said in a statement.
“This has always been the iconic marathon in this state,” Rancourt said on Friday. “So we are excited to have it back. In the spring, everyone wants to be a runner.”
Rancourt, who lives in Warren, said, “As an East Bay resident, I understand the impact the Washington Bridge closure has had on our daily lives. But this new route accounts for those impacts, and we have been very cognizant of moving the course to minimize disruptions in people’s daily commute.”
Providence wanted to keep the race out of downtown because of construction there, and to avoid disrupting bus routes, Rancourt said. Last year’s race had been set to start at India Point Park in Providence, but the bridge work scrapped those plans, she said, so Rhode Races suggested starting at Bold Point Park.
“The biggest change is we are getting off the roads and more onto the bike paths such as the India Point bike path rather than on Gano Street,” Rancourt said. “That is main reason we are keeping the race smaller than in past years.”
Also, East Providence and Providence officials have been concerned about safety, she said. “So we are keeping it small to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
Two years ago, a 27-year-old man from Brooklyn died after running the Providence Half Marathon. Begho Ukueberuwa, the director of development at the Fat City film and TV production company in New York, died in Providence after suffering complications from heat stroke while running the race.
Steven Blais, co-founder and leader of the ‘Gansett Run Club, said having the marathon and half marathon back on the local race calendar is a “boon for Rhode Island.”
“A big race means restaurants, hotels, and local businesses get an economic boost, while the runners get to take pride in seeing their cities and towns become a destination,” he said. “A successful Providence Marathon means Rhode Island wins.”
Blais said he’s glad Rhode Races & Events has replaced Ventures.
“I think Susan and Karen will do a great job rebuilding confidence in the Providence Marathon, and we can hope it’ll become the great spring alternative to that April race in Boston,” he said. “The smaller registration numbers make sense, given the Washington Bridge fiasco the state is dealing with. But I think once runners see how good a job Rhode Races put on, they’ll have no issues growing the race once the Route 195 traffic issues resolve.”
In previous years, the races had started in downtown Providence. But in 2025, after the start in Bold Point Park, racers will head into Providence over the George Redman Linear Park, adjacent to the Washington Bridge.
The route will then head north, up Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, before looping by Shea High School in Pawtucket and heading south again. The route will cross the Henderson Bridge, going from Providence into East Providence, and then head down Veterans Memorial Parkway to Barrington. After turning at the Rhode Island Country Club, the route will head north, up the East Bay Bike Path, and finish at Bold Point Park.
The marathon course is USA Track & Field-certified, offering runners a chance to qualify for the Boston Marathon and to set records on the new course. Unlike in past years, the marathon and half marathon will follow the same route, although they will start at different times.
Rancourt urged people to sign up for the races soon because of the smaller field size. For more information, go to www.rhoderaces.com.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @FitzProv.
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