2026 Rhode Island Grand Prix

The Rhode Island Grand Prix is an annual road racing series for Rhode Island-based runners and running clubs. Over the course of several races, runners compete as both individuals and teams to win awards and bragging rights at the end of the year. Now featuring two unique competitions – Battle Royale and Points Chase – the series’ mission is multifaceted and focuses on the following:

• Encouraging and celebrating competitiveness at all ages
• Providing adult runners with an opportunity to compete as a team
• Supporting the state’s oldest and most iconic road races
• Connecting the many different members of the Rhode Island running community

New Format

Beginning in 2026, the Rhode Island Grand Prix will include two unique competitions which individuals and teams can participate in simultaneously:

Battle Royale - traditional competition-based track where teams and individuals compete head-to-head for podium spots and bragging rights

Points Chase - new participation-based track where teams challenge themselves to reach Bronze, Silver, or Gold tier status (see retroactive calculation of 2025 RIGP team point totals to understand how the Points Chase challenge will work)

2026 Schedule

#1 - March 22nd - Aquidneck 10k - Middletown
#2 - April 19th - Clamdigger 5 Mile Road Race - Westerly
#3 - May 17th - Blazin' Battle Against Brain Cancer 10k - Greenville
#4 - June 13th - Gaspee Days 5k - Cranston
#5 - July 4th - Arnold Mills 4 Mile Road Race - Cumberland
#6 - August 9th - Bobby Doyle Summer Classic 5 Mile Run - Narragansett
#7 - October 11th - Amica Newport Half Marathon - Newport

Overview of Rules

Registration procedures:

• You have to register for the series itself in addition to the individual races you want to compete at
• Upon registering for the series, individuals and teams are automatically entered in their corresponding Battle Royale and Points Chase categories
• Teams:
  • Captains register for the series first and create a team which others can then join
  • Teams do not need to register at the individual races

Eligibility requirements:

• Individuals must be Rhode Island-based or part of a Rhode Island-based running club
• Teams must be comprised of members from a Rhode Island-based running club

Battle Royale:

• Points are earned based on performance relative to others
• There is a single mixed, age-graded team category and the following five individual categories:
  • Open female
  • Open male
  • Masters female
  • Masters male
  • Open non-binary
• Individuals must compete in four races and teams must compete in five races
• Teams need at least 4 people to score at each race except for the half marathon where the minimum is 3

 Points Chase:

• Points are earned based solely on participation and performance
• There is a single mixed, age-graded team category
• Teams challenge themselves to reach the following tiers:
  • Bronze (5,000 points)
  • Silver (10,000 points)
  • Gold (25,000 points)

 Golden Anchor:

• Awarded to runners who compete at all seven races

More Information

For more information regarding format, eligibility, scoring, and awards, please visit the Rhode Island Grand Prix main website.

The 2026 Rhode Island Grand Prix brings an exciting race distance to Providence, Rhode Island on January 1, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!