Full Race Results | RI Grand Prix Results | Photos
Team
The 2026 Rhode Island Grand Prix kicked off on Sunday at the Aquidneck 10k in spectacular fashion with a record 127 RIGP competitors representing 11 teams!
In the Battle Royale team competition, the Run Newport squad picked up right where they left off last year by scoring just 17 points and earning a decisive victory. Finishing in second place with 48 points in their highest ever team finish were the Rhode Warriors while third place went to perennial powerhouse the Adult Sentinel Striders, who scored 65 points. Behind them was a tight battle for the remaining podium places with Women on the Run – Barrington (79 points) edging out the Gansett Run Club (84 points).
Open Female
In the Battle Royale Open Female category, RIGP debutants stole the show by sweeping the top 3 places. Leading the charge was Kelsi Chappell of Run Newport, who ran an impressive 38:26 to win by half a minute and set a new RIGP course record. Behind her was an epic sprint finish with Erin Hurley of the Wickford Run Club edging out Corrinne Pereira of Women on the Run Barrington by just two seconds. Rounding out the top 5 was Katharine Walker of the Rhode Warriors, who also dipped under the previous RIGP course record, and Shayna Cousineau of the Gansett Run Club.
Open Male
In stark contrast to how things played out in the open female race, the Battle Royale Open Male category was dominated by RIGP veterans. Taking the first step towards retaining his crown from last year was Run Newport’s Christopher Collet, who ran 32:26 to also win by half a minute and set a new RIGP course record. The battle for runner-up honors was again fierce with Ken Vinacco of the Adult Sentinel Striders edging out teammate Alex Whatley. Notably, both men also went under the previous RIGP course record. Finishing in 4th place with his best ever RIGP performance was Rhode Warrior, Alex Tripoli, while teammate and RIGP newcomer, Bennet Hicks, nabbed fifth.
Masters Female
In the Battle Royale Masters Female category, RIGP veterans exerted even more dominance by sweeping the Top 5 places. Brett Ely of Women on the Run – Barrington led the way with a truly remarkable run. Her time of 37:29 not only set a new RIGP course age grade record of 83.5, but won the women’s race outright and set a new overall course record! Finishing comfortably in second was newly minted masters runner Beth Blendell of Run Newport, but behind her was a tight battle for the final podium spot with three ladies separated by just one age grade percentage. Laura Nottie of the Phantom Farms Brewing Flyers edged out Shannon Krasnowiecki of the Gansett Run Club for third while fellow flyer Kim Chula-Maguire took fifth.
Masters Male
In the Battle Royale Masters Male category, we saw a mix of old and new faces claim the top spots. Adrian Massie of Run Newport – who took home the title in 2025 – wasted no time in reestablishing himself as the one to beat by earning an outstanding age grade of 84.8. His mark not only set a new RIGP course age grade record, but was the highest amongst all RIGP participants. Taking runner up honors by two percentage points was newcomer Chad Greene of the Rhode Warriors while Chris Benestad of Run Newport took third by a similar margin. Behind him was one of the closest finishes of the day with newcomers and fellow Run Newport teammates, Michael St. Thomas and Justin Hetherington, earning age grades of 73.33 and 73.31 to take fourth and fifth, respectively.
