Coronavirus Forces Cancellation Of 2020 Pell Bridge Run

NEWPORT, RI — Rhode Island's largest annual road race will not be held this year, the event's organizers announced Monday. The Pell Bridge Run could not safely happen amid the coronavirus pandemic, Citizen's Bank and the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority said.

"The iconic Citizens Pell Bridge Run has become the largest road race in the State of Rhode Island and raises over $100,000 for local charities annually," said Matthew Gray, the event's director. "COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of events of this kind across the world since early March. We remain optimistic that we can get back to racing again at this scale in 2021."

The race has been held annually for the past nine years, drawing more than 3,500 runners and walkers. The route runs across the bridge, starting in Jamestown and ending in downtown Newport, 4.2 miles total. Citizen's Bank has been the title sponsor of the event since it was started in 2011.

The tenth running is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2021. Registration is expected to open in the spring.