Sat, Jun 26, 2027

Independence Rhode Race

Bristol, RI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2016

Half Marathon

Entry is $55 now and rises to $60 after Oct 31, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Independence Rhode Race

The course winds through Bristol's historic downtown when the town is dressed up for what it bills as the oldest Independence Day celebration in the country. You pass historic homes, a town common, and a maritime museum before the route opens up along the coastline, cuts through a university campus, and finishes at a waterfront park.

The post-race party is at a local brewery a short way into the course, so you run right past it before you earn it. Show your bib there after you finish and there is a beer waiting for you.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

13.1 Miles · 2026 results

950finishers

1:11:48winner

2:12:38median

4:05:02cutoff

Top 3: Ian Tibbals (1:11:48) · Colin Czuchra (1:16:05) · Peter Murphy (1:16:56)

The Independence Rhode Race has been held every year since at least 2016. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 13.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

13.1 Miles6/26/2027 06:30$55

13.1 Miles6/26/2027 06:30$85

13.1 Miles6/26/2027 00:00$50

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Bristol — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Independence Rhode Race

Will I finish last at the Independence Rhode Race?

Almost certainly not. Half the 13.1 Miles field finished slower than 2:12:38, and the last recorded finisher came in around 4:05:02, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Independence Rhode Race a good first 13.1 Miles?

With 950 finishers there are runners at every pace, so you are never out on your own. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 13.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Independence Rhode Race?

The 13.1 Miles winner ran 1:11:48 while the median finisher took 2:12:38. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.