Jamestown Rhode Races Half Marathon

Rhode Races & Events stages this September half on Conanicut Island, between Narragansett Bay's two passages. It is the small-island entry in the same series that runs Providence and Newport, and the setting does most of the work: water views, farmland, and the village of Jamestown instead of a city grid.

The route starts at Fort Getty and circles most of the island, passing Mackerel Cove and Watson Farm before dropping into Jamestown village and following the east shore. There is a short unpaved stretch before mile 2 and a long incline around miles 9 and 10, so the back half asks more than the first. The time limit is 3.5 hours.

Late September on the bay usually means cool starts in the 50s and comfortable racing weather. The island roads are open to the water in places, so wind can matter more than temperature.