April Featured Race: Oklahoma City Marathon

What

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a special race in that it serves to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic bombing on April 19, 1995. The very first Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon occurred on April 19, 2001, and it has since grown to be a popular race with more than 25,000 participants. Runner’s World Magazine has named it one of the 12 Must-Run Marathons around the world.

Racers begin between 5th and 6th on Harvey Avenue at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Start time is 6:30 a.m. or, for the Wheelchair Division, 6:25 a.m. The course goes through historic neighborhoods and through the Capitol, all lined with supporters cheer the athletes on. Along the way, there are 168 banners as a humble reminder and memorial to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. The finish line will be between NW 7th Street and NW 8th Street on Broadway.

The weekend also features a variety of other races for those who may wish to participate with family members. Other race opportunities include the half marathon, five-person relay, Memorial 5k, and Kids Marathon.

Runners may pick up their race packets at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Cox Convention Center on Friday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Packet pickup is not available on Sunday, and packets cannot be mailed. Participants receive a T-shirt, food, and beverages. Along the course, there will be medical care and water stations. Those who finish the race also receive a finisher’s medal.

All times are tracked using a Chronotrack tag on the racing bib. The Oklahoma City Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying race and follows the rules of the USATF. Top three awards for men and women will be given for the marathon and half marathon, as well as age group and relay awards for respective races.

When: April 29, 2018

Where: Oklahoma City, OK

How: Register HERE

What Else?

Before or after the race, athletes may participate in the Health & Fitness Expo, where they may find great deals on running gear and more. In addition, the race course is designed around the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. As all funds from the marathon are used in the support of the facility’s year-round operation, athletes and race supporters alike may wish to tour the museum and memorial during their stay.

For the safety of all participants, no unauthorized bikes, scooters, skates, or animals are allowed on the racecourse. Athletes participating in the wheelchair division must abide by the wheelchair division rules.

All entries for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon are final upon payment. There will be no refunds, deferrals, or transfers of participation to another individual.