Providence Marathon will bring road closures Sunday, May 7. What to know about the course

Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal
·4 min read

Note: This story has been updated to reflect spectator parking areas.

PROVIDENCE − The sold-out Providence Marathon and Half-Marathon on Sunday, May 7, will lead to road closures in Providence for part of race day, though a portion of Gaspee Street will be closed from 8 a.m. Saturday all the way to 6 p.m. Sunday.

This map shows the Providence Marathon route.
This map shows the Providence Marathon route.

Providence Marathon 2023 road closures

All closures, except for Gaspee Street, are on Sunday, May 7 only.

  • Gaspee Street, from Francis to Smith streets, 8 a.m., May 6, to 6 p.m., May 7

  • Smith Street, from State to Canal streets, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Canal Street, from Smith to Steeple streets, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Washington Place, from Smith to Steeple streets, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • College Street, from Memorial Boulevard to North Main Street, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • South Water Street, from Crawford Street Bridge to Tockwotton Street, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • South Main Street, from Tockwotton to India streets, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • India Street, from South Water to Gano streets, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Gano Street, from India to Pitman streets, 6:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Gano Street, from Pitman to Angell streets, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Taber Avenue, Angel Street to Everett Avenue, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Everett Avenue, from Taber to Wayland avenues, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Wayland Avenue, from Everett Avenue to Elton Street, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Humboldt Avenue, from Elton Street to Irving Avenue, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Irving Avenue, from Wayland Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Blackstone Boulevard (South), from Irving Avenue to Hope Street, 7:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Blackstone Boulevard (North), from Alfred Stone Road to President Avenue, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • President Avenue, from Blackstone Boulevard (North) to Loring Avenue, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • Loring Avenue, from President to Gulf avenues, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • Gulf Avenue, from Loring to Irving avenues, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • River Drive, from Irving Avenue to Waterman Street, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

  • Pitman Street, from Gano to Butler streets, 6:40 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Pitman Street, from Butler to Waterman streets, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Butler Street, from Pitman to Waterman streets, 6:40 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.

  • Waterman Street, from Butler Street to Pitman Street, 6:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

  • Henderson Bridge (eastbound lanes), from Waterman Street to Massasoit Avenue exit ramp, 6:40 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A map shows the Providence Half-Marathon route.
A map shows the Providence Half-Marathon route.

Providence Marathon 2023 course

The full race starts in downtown, then heads south toward East Bay and follows the bike path along the Providence River before hooking back around in Barrington, taking some of the same bike path back toward the city and finishing by the State House.

The race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

More: How an under-the-radar RI runner became one of the top Boston Marathon finishers

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The half-marathon largely stays within Providence city limits, with a brief foray into Pawtucket.

From downtown, the half-marathon runs from downtown to India Point Park, loops into Pawtucket, then back to the downtown area via the Providence River, finishing at the State House.

Where to park for the Providence Marathon

Parking for runners is suggested at either the Providence Place mall or the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The best places for spectators depends on whether they want to watch the half-marathon, the full marathon or both.

  • India Point Park, both races

  • Blackstone Boulevard, half marathon

  • Veteran's Memorial Boulevard, full marathon

  • Crescent Park, full marathon

  • Haines Park, full marathon

Marathon organizers suggest parking on side streets. There is no parking on Blackstone Boulevard.

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2023 Providence Marathon road closures and where to park