Independence Rhode Race
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Event
The Independence Rhode Race takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Bristol, Rhode Island. The event includes these distances:
- Half Marathon
- Two Person Relay - first leg 7.5 miles, second leg 5.6 miles
- Virtual Half Marathon
Packet pick-up is scheduled the two days before the race at a Providence running store and at a Bristol location. The event is R.I. Department of Environmental Management Green-Certified. The organizers state the race runs rain or shine and that refunds are not offered; the event may be canceled for severe unsafe weather with no refunds.
Course and logistics
The course runs through downtown Bristol, past historic homes, the town common and the America’s Cup Museum, follows part of the Fourth of July parade route, goes along the coastline and through Roger Williams University, and finishes at Independence Park with views of the Mt. Hope Bridge and Narragansett Bay. Parts of the course are unpaved and include some shell paths. The half marathon has a course limit of 3.5 hours and an early-start option for runners who need more time. Pace groups are provided at a range of target finish paces.
Aid stations are located along the course with water, electrolyte drink, energy gels and bananas; port-a-potties are available at every aid station.
Amenities and awards
Race amenities include free professional photos, gender- and race-specific tech t-shirts, and finisher medals for half marathon finishers. Live participant tracking is available through the RaceJoy app when participants carry their phones. Post-race offerings include a recovery zone, free post-race massages by OPT Physical Therapy, and an official after-party at a local brewery that offers a free beverage to bib holders. Awards are given to top finishers by open, age-group categories, and non-binary and relay team categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
