Officials cancel race, cite bridge
PROVIDENCE — This year’s Providence Marathon and Half Marathon have been canceled in part because of the Washington Bridge closure, organizers announced Wednesday.
The races had been scheduled for May 5, starting near the Washington Bridge in Providence’s India Point Park.
But a Providence Marathon spokesperson issued a statement saying, “Despite our best efforts working with local leaders, the 2024 Providence Marathon & Half Marathon has been canceled due to unforeseen challenges, including the Washington Bridge closure. The safety and security of participants is our priority, and while we were unable to secure an adequate route this year, we hope to see everyone in 2025.”
The announcement comes two weeks after governor Daniel J. Mckee announced that the state will demolish and rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge — a massive project that will mean delays and disruptions in people’s everyday lives for two years or more.
The heavily traveled bridge, which carries Interstate 195 westbound over the Seekonk river between Providence and East Providence, was shut down on Dec. 11 due to a critical failure, and is now slated to be reopened sometime in 2026.
In past years, the marathon route has run from Providence across the Henderson Bridge into East Providence and down the East Bay Bike Path to Barrington, before returning to Providence. The half marathon route has run through Providence’s East Side into Pawtucket, and then back downtown.
Last year, nearly 6,000 runners participated in the races, making them the largest marathon and half marathon in rhode Island.
Josh Estrella, press secretary for Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley, said, “given the ongoing traffic and safety
concerns and the considerable amount of road closures that the marathon creates, we had concerns about the initial route proposal that would have had a dramatic impact to city streets impacted by the Washington bridge closure.”
The city’s concern about the impact on local streets was evident last week when the Providence City Council provided an initial vote for an ordinance, backed by smiley, that would ban heavy trucks on certain East side roads used as a detour.
“While the city is disappointed that there will not be a full or half marathon this year,” Estrella said, “we look forward to working with organizers in future years to develop a route that responds to the new challenges presented by the Washington bridge closure to ensure a safe race for runners, neighbors and businesses.”
The race is run by Ventures Endurance LLC, a subsidiary of gannett, and the race is presented by The Providence Journal, which is owned by gannett.
Race organizers offered those who signed up for the marathon and half marathon the option of deferring their registration until next year’s races. Those runners would get a “bonus item,” such as a water bottle, running hat, or a cooler bag.
Those who signed up also have the option of transferring their registration to another 2024 Ventures Endurance event, including the Old Port Half and 5k, Hampton Rockfest Half and 5k, and Maine Coast Marathon, which has limited spots available.
Or, people may request a full refund of registration fees. Those who don’t make a selection by April 18 will have their registration deferred to the 2025 Providence Marathon, without a “bonus item.”
Runners were told that if they contributed to Make-A-Wish when they registered, that money has already been donated, and if they want those donations refunded they should write to the race organizers.
bob Rothenberg, the former brown university men’s and women’s track and field and cross-country coach who now coaches the Ronald McDonald House of Providence Running Club, said, “The news was very disappointing for many local runners who have been training for the Providence half and full marathons for several months or longer.”
Rothenberg said there were warning signs, including the lack of course maps on the event website. “And what about the out-of-state runners who may not have known anything about the current situation until today’s first official announcement,” he said. “Very disappointing to say the least.”
Last year, 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.