The 21st annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon will be held this weekend

Photo Credit: OKC National Memorial and Museum

Runners will take to the streets for the 21^st Annual Memorial Marathon on October 2 and 3. It’s been more than two years since the event was held in-person and the first time the five races of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon will be spread over two days to allow for social distancing and new COVID-19 safety protocols.

The race is called the Run to Remember to honor the 168 persons killed, hundreds of survivors and those changed forever in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995.

The Start Line for all races is directly in front of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, and the new Finish Line for all races is on Oklahoma City Boulevard and Walker Avenue.

To create the safest environment possible, race officials have set a race cap at 12,000 runners this year – 50 percent of the runners that participated in 2019. Runners will also be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Additional enhanced health and safety policies have also been adopted for the Health and Fitness Expo and at the Start and Finish Lines. These emulate best practices being used in major marathons and public events across the country, including the Boston and Chicago Marathons.

More than 2,000 volunteers make the Memorial Marathon possible. There are 23 water stops along the course run by volunteers from local companies and agencies. 

Multiple Chamber Members step up and play a meaningful role in the success of the event each year. This year’s presenting sponsors include Chamber Members Devon Energy, Paycom, Express Employment International, Inasmuch Foundation, Integris Health, The Chickasaw Nation, Sonic, Continental Resources, OU Health, SSM Health, Hobby Lobby, Cox Business, and the Omni Hotel & Resorts.

In addition to the support business leaders play through sponsorship of the weekend’s events, Chamber Member Red Coyote has championed a community of runners throughout the summer training season. Over 700 individuals signed up for their marathon and half marathon training programs this season and they had 40 coaches who volunteered their time each week to help participants train. From first-timers to seasoned athletes, Red Coyote’s training programs have offered unmatched encouragement for runners of all levels.

Photo Credit: Sarah Booth, Red Coyote Training Coach

“I believe everyone is anxiously awaiting this moment, training hard, and it is going to mean a lot to this community,” said Heather Crawford, Red Coyote Training Program Coordinator. “Jon and Burke Beck [Owners of Red Coyote] from day one wanted to not only make a difference in the OKC community through their store, but they began their training programs to support the most important and meaningful race in the state of Oklahoma. In 2018, when I took over the training program coordinator position, it was one of the greatest honors of my life to help lead people across finish lines, make friends for life, and each year train for the OKCMM that means so much to us all.”

New this year is the Why We Run Weekend Series. Participants can double their involvement and impact and run both the 5K on Saturday and the Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday. In addition to the event shirt and medals for both races, runners also get a Why We Run series medal and shirt. 

Can You Beat the Gov? For the third year, Governor Kevin Stitt is challenging runners to beat his relay team in the Governor’s Relay Challenge. All registered relay teams will automatically compete against the Governor’s team. The teams who beat the Governor’s relay team will get a special “I Beat the Gov” T-shirt mailed to them after the race. This year, the Governor’s Relay team is made up of veterans who served in Afghanistan and helped fight the war against terrorism.

Krysten Isenhower is one of the members of Governor Stitt’s Relay team this year. Though she’s not a veteran herself, she’s a gold star family member. “My brother, Sergeant Bret Isenhower, was killed in Afghanistan on September 9, 2011 when his team was ambushed by small arms fire,” said Isenhower. “It has been my mission ever since to run to remember his sacrifice. I’m grateful for the opportunity to run alongside Governor Stitt as we honor and remember our fallen heroes.”

Along the course, 168 banners with the names of those who were killed provide inspiration to runners. New this year, banners will edge the Finish Line, with individual photos of the 168, encouraging runners in those last few steps and reminding all why we Run to Remember.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum has a special early opening at 8 a.m. Sunday for family and friends waiting for their runners. Runners get free admission to the Memorial Museum with their race bib.

VISIT THE OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

Marathon Weekend Schedule:

Health & Fitness Expo – Oklahoma City Convention Center

Runner packet pickup – Masks expected to be worn inside the Convention Center 

Friday, October 1 – 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 2 – 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday, October 1 – 8:00 p.m. – Scissortail Park

Fireworks to kickoff Memorial Marathon weekend

Race Start Times:

Saturday, October 2

7:30 a.m. 5K

10:00 a.m. Kids Marathon in a Wave Start

Sunday, October 3

6:25 a.m. Wheelchair Racers

6:30 a.m. Marathon and Relay

7:30 a.m. Half Marathon

Everyone is invited to the Finish Line Festival in Scissortail Park on both race days – Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3. Scissortail Bridge will be lit up in green for the Memorial Marathon race weekend.

Photo Credit: OKC National Memorial and Museum