Half Marathon for firefighter looking to help runners after Providence Marathon cancellation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence Marathon and Half Marathon have been canceled, largely due to the closure of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge.

Providence’s Mayor Brett Smiley said the city and the organizers couldn’t find a middle ground as the race got closer.

Smiley told ABC 6 News Thursday the city offered up a path to keep the marathon going this year but the team behind the race decided to postpone to 2025.

“So the marathon is a privately run event, so that’s ultimately their decision,” he said. “I have confidence that the marathon can happen next year, the marathon could have happened this year but they just weren’t able to make all the new adjustments necessary. There’s no reason it can’t happen again next year and I hope that it does.”

Among those adjustments were off-limit roads for a reworked path, including Gano Street and Angell Street, since those are part of the Washington Bridge detour.

“But then there’s more than just the route: there’s also public safety plans, there’s multiple communities that are involved in the marathon, not just Providence,” Smiley said. “And so what were all the factors that came to their decision to pull the plug? I’m not entirely sure.”

Runners are stuck without many options after the cancellation, but one group is looking to fill some of the gap with a half marathon for a good cause.

“So Jim Varing was a Providence firefighter for 31 years; he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma at the age of 52,” Rhode Island Brain and Spine Tumor Foundation Executive Director Lisa D’Ambra.

The foundation is hosting its first-ever half marathon for a Providence firefighter who died of brain cancer, offering discounted rates for runners looking for another option.

“We know people come in from different parts of the country, and different parts of New England, and they’re looking forward to running at least a half marathon,” D’Ambra said.

She added they know it’s not a perfect fix, but they’re looking to help out runners and make a difference.

“Through Jim’s journey, he was very adamant that he wanted to be able to help people moving forward,” D’Ambra said. “And this is [Jim’s wife] Paula’s way of carrying out his wishes.”

Since the cancellation Thursday morning, D’Ambra says they’ve had 20 people sign up, bringing them to 220 runners.

They’re expecting to cap the inaugural race at 500 runners.