The Blessing of the Fleet 10 Mile road race is an annual summer tradition for many runners and race walkers in New England. The course is fast, mostly flat with some minor hills, and a great way to maintain your race pace over the summer.

The race is one of the last major races to still offer a race walk category. Walkers start an hour before the runners and must walk at all times or else face disqualification. This hour early start gives race walkers plenty of time to finish the course with support.

The course is a beautiful trip around Narragansett, taking you past many of the great neighborhoods in the area. Many local residents come out to cheer and offer food and drinks to participants. (Hint- some of the drinks are *not* water- wink wink.) The race ends by the famous landmark called "The Towers" which is by the oceanfront, and is immediately adjacent to Blessing of the Fleet Seafood Festival.

Historically, the race gets very humid and hot, as it takes place on the last Friday of July. Expect anything with the weather- torrential downpours, thunder/lightening, storm delays, heat and humidity.

Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and get a parking spot. Traffic backs up tremendously in the area before the race and as people are leaving. Don't expect to leave quickly. If you can, check out the Seafood Festival before you leave (bring cash).

There is no "expo"- it's just shirt and bib pickup at the gym. Some vendors and local charities may set up booths in the gym or in the parking lot.

This is definitely a fun and great race, and it supports a great local cause (the Narragansett Lions). Many locals do it every year as a great "reunion" race- a chance to see friends and run together.