Bristol Runner Wins Pell Bridge Race Again

A Bristol man won his second consecutive Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run on Sunday, Nov. 10, in Newport.

Geoff Nelson, the defending champ, broke the tape first with a time of 22:25. The top female finisher was Sandy Spitler of Newport (24:31) who placed third overall.

The second place finisher was Matthew Wilks, a 15-year old from Warwick who ran 24:21. Of the 3,559 runners who entered, 3,024 crossed the finish line of the 4.2-mile course. 

Despite the dark clouds and threat of rain, the views of the sunrise over Narragansett Bay were a reward for the runners and walkers, especially after they completed the ascent to the top of the Newport Pell Bridge.

RI Senator Jack Reed (55:08), RI Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed (1:06:25), and RI Representative Peter Martin (1:26:28) all ran in the race.

Event proceeds will benefit a variety of non-profit organizations, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center of Newport, Special Olympics of Rhode Island, Meeting Street School, The Samaritans of Rhode Island, the American Heart Association Rhode Island Chapter, and March of Dimes Rhode Island. 

Click here to see a complete list of participants and their times.