Leadership Notes: Spring events a reminder of what makes OKC so special

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Oklahoma City closed out April in style, with the last week of the month ushering in the Spring and Summer event season. This was my first opportunity to experience several of Oklahoma City’s longest running events, Festival of the Arts and the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon.

As my family enjoyed the festivities, we were impressed with the variety of activities downtown – the festival, the marathon, a baseball game. And just down the street at the fairgrounds, the 2023 Better Barrel Racing World Finals. So many options in downtown OKC! Oklahoma City puts on a show and makes it look effortless. There were thousands of people on the streets, moving from one event to another, and the energy was electric.

During the marathon, we met a family visiting from the Dallas region. The wife is from Oklahoma and came to see the race in honor of her dad, who ran every year since the marathon’s beginning. Unfortunately, he passed away before this year’s event. She talked about how compelled she was to be here and feel the hope and energy that the race brings to her each year. No matter how far away she goes, the spirit of the people in Oklahoma City brings her back time and again. She spoke passionately about the Oklahoma Standard and how OKC is such a special and magnetic place.

These events were such a great reminder of how truly special this place, and its people, is for residents and for visitors. Events like these are not only great fun for those of us fortunate enough to live here, but for visitors they send a strong message about who we are. The countless volunteers and staff who enable these events and showcase our friendliness, safety and efficiency are to be commended. There are more events on the way, so get out and enjoy what our city has to offer… and keep an eye out, you never know who you might meet along the way!

Christy Gillenwater
President & CEO
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

This article originally appeared in the May 2023 edition of the VeloCity newsletter.