The Providence Marathon starts near the Rhode Island State House and Providence Station before heading south toward the East Bay and Barrington, Rhode Island. That’ll take you on the tree-lined bike path that offers shade and scenic views of the Providence River. You’ll loop back around in Barrington, taking some of the same route back while running toward the shadow of the city’s skyline. The finish is back near the State House.
Several miles of the course are run on the shaded, tree lined East Bay Bike path.
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How does the Providence Marathon Rank?
The Providence Marathon was the 40th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 48th largest in 2022.
Last year 6.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 11.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Providence Marathon the 297th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 135th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 98.37 ranks it as the 291st fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in Rhode Island.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Providence Marathon a PR Score of 98.37. This PR Score ranks it as the 228th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Rhode Island.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Providence Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 127 feet (38m) Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)
Roads were not closed so you were fighting with cars in order to run the race. I was running with the 3:30 group and the water stops ran out of cups and water. People were collapsing on the course from the heat, there were no med tents, and no one available to help. Cops/EMTs were not prepared, didnt have water or electrolytes to help anyone. City appeared wildly unprepared to host a race. Water stops had water and clear gatorade in the same cups and tables were not separated and they didnt tell you which one they were giving you. Water cups were small to begin with and only filled a quarter of the way.
Race Tips
Better course description. Elevation map is not accurate and course is not flat as described on website.
More water, better trained volunteers, more city prep, closed roads.
JF's review of 2023 Providence Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
Course advertised as "flat and smooth", which is not. Hilly first 8 and last 6 miles. Most of the flat sections are on a bike path with some good views of the Providence River at times, but otherwise it's far from scenic. Lots of running between the curb and traffic cones on busy streets or highways, many areas with potholes, and occasionally cops trying to diverge traffic from crossing in front of runners (just a few roads near the start/finish are closed for the race). Crowd support was nice near downtown and in some isolated areas along the course but overall just OK. Plenty of water stations but lacking enough people and water to make them useful as I was not able to get water in most of them. I got a Gatorade at the finish but no water and it was a hot day! Post-race party is in a nice open area but found it unimpressive as there was not a lot of food for runners. You do get a free beer and that's it.
Race Tips
Because it's in May in Southern New England, this race has more odds to be in the warm side. This year (2023) was hot and sunny. Be aware that the course has essentially no shaded areas, not even in the bike path, so be prepared. Aid stations are not functional (see above). If it's a hot day, I advise carrying your own water/fluid. The hills after 20 miles are significant, therefore not a good choice for PR.
There are many hotels in walking distance from the start/finish. I ended up staying in an Airbnb 10 min away driving because I had to use a gift card but would have staying in the hotels otherwise. Three months before the race when I registered the hotels had reasonable prices. Paid parking on raceway near the start was easier than I thought and inexpensive but don't expect to find street parking unless you arrive very early.
JKL's review of 2023 Providence Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
The website says "flat and smooth" ... there is nothing flat about this course! It is a challenging, rolling hills course that offers little to no shade on a hot day! They also need to do a better job with course support and directing runners! I missed a key turn right after water stop 9.5 and ended up with 26.87 miles! Not cool! Also, a medical tent - with Vaseline would have been very helpful for burning chafing!
Race Tips
Incorporate lots of hill work in your training! And Be prepared for the short but steept hill as you take the turn at mile 26!
Nice course, really enjoyed running the bike paths, but this course was hilly and not well separated from traffic. I felt like I was dodging traffic cones for the first half. It was warm and that coupled with the hills scattered throughout made this a tough course for good performance. I wish I had brought my own water as the water on the course was warm and cups were small. The volunteers could not keep up with the demand of the runners and were dunking the cups in big thermoses of water with their bare hands. The Gatorade, if that's what it was, was not separated from water and tasted horrible, not sure what flavor they were using.
I was too beat up from the run to actually check out the after party, but I did appreciate having parking so close. It was an easy race to get to from out of town. I did wish it had started earlier because of the heat.
3.1 Stars from 14 Reviews
