The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is about more than running, it is about celebrating life. This is the spirit in which the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was conceptualized by two Oklahoma businessmen who, while on a morning run, created the outline for this inspiring event. A group of volunteer chairmen …
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The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is about more than running, it is about celebrating life. This is the spirit in which the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was conceptualized by two Oklahoma businessmen who, while on a morning run, created the outline for this inspiring event. A group of volunteer chairmen and Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum staff, lead a volunteer corps that plans and implements the weekend of events allowing the maximum amount of proceeds benefit the Memorial and Museum. From its inaugural race in 2001 with just shy of 5,000 participants, the event now hosts over 24,000 runners and walkers from every state and several foreign countries.
Voted one of the 12 ‘must-run’ marathons in the world by Runner’s World magazine, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s 26.2 miles are packed with cheering supporters and the most beautiful neighborhoods in Oklahoma City. The course begins at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, winds through the Capitol, and Oklahoma City’s historic neighborhoods, and ends in Automobile Alley! Along the way, runners pass 168 banners, each bearing the name of one of those who were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. The Marathon is a Boston qualifying USATF sanctioned event on a certified 26.2 mile single loop course.
Our mission is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were killed and unite the world in hope. This is not just another marathon. It is a Run to Remember…and a race to show that we can each make a difference and change the world.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is the sole beneficiary of Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon event proceeds.
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Love this race
I’ve done this race a couple of times, and it never disappoints. First, it will have some of the best spectators you’ll ever experience. They never fail to disappoint with … MORE
I’ve done this race a couple of times, and it never disappoints. First, it will have some of the best spectators you’ll ever experience. They never fail to disappoint with their signs and energy.
Race-wise, everything from beginning to end is so well organized. The expo, the course, the finish – ALL fantastic. Next, the swag is amazing. Both a participant and a finisher’s shirt, and the medal is always so pretty and top notch. It’s also so meaningful to be running in the memory of those that died in the bombing.
I’ve done the half and full, and both were fantastic. The monkey hill with all the bananas is a favorite!
Love In OKC
Crowd is spectacular! Terrain changes frequently from upscale neighborhoods to the running around the lake. You can't beat Oklahoma City for a wonderful run. The finish line if very well … MORE
Crowd is spectacular! Terrain changes frequently from upscale neighborhoods to the running around the lake. You can’t beat Oklahoma City for a wonderful run. The finish line if very well organized and runners get the royal treatment. Family is easy to find.
Solid
I may be biased because I’m from the OKC area but this is consistently a well run race! I love seeing the different areas of the course. The banners with … MORE
I may be biased because I’m from the OKC area but this is consistently a well run race! I love seeing the different areas of the course. The banners with the names of the victims is inspiring. Tons of spectators. The stretch by the lake is the only area that I’ve found that’s hard to enjoy. The wind usually picks up there.
First time participating in the Memorial
This race was very overwhelming for me since i was still fairly new to running and was my 4th 5k race that i participated in. The expo was crazy busy … MORE
This race was very overwhelming for me since i was still fairly new to running and was my 4th 5k race that i participated in. The expo was crazy busy and crowded the day before whenever i went to do packet pickup. Lots of cool vendors and local places had booths available.
On race day, all the 5K runners were on a separate street from the Half & Full runners but we were staggered out depending on excepted running pace. Whenever the race started, everyone went towards the start line. They did not have a staggered start time for each corral so it was crowded for the first 1.5-2 miles until the 5k runners split away from the long distant runners. At the finish line, they had essential post race food (banana, chocolate milk, fruit cups) along with hamburgers, Mylars, & of course your medal.
Since then, they have changed up how they do start. Now each corral is staggered out by 5-10 minutes, and the 5k runners go after all the Full, Half, and Relay runners have gone.
Every Year is Better
Every year is better! This race is near and dear to my heart. The cause is amazing, and they really honor the victims and those impacted by the Murrah Bombing … MORE
Every year is better! This race is near and dear to my heart. The cause is amazing, and they really honor the victims and those impacted by the Murrah Bombing in OKC. The crowd is amazing every year, even with bad weather. The post race food is always great! Carls Jr burgers in addition to the normal things (bagels, oranges, bananas, etc). The organization of the HUGE crowd and participants is getting better each year too. If you only do one Oklahoma race, this has to be it!
Now It Is Runner Focused
The race directors finally caught up with the running community with their swag! They now have tech shirts instead of cotton and finisher shirts for half marathoners and changing (and … MORE
The race directors finally caught up with the running community with their swag! They now have tech shirts instead of cotton and finisher shirts for half marathoners and changing (and bigger) medals. Each year, there is more and more crowd support, which is exhilarating! You NEED to do this race!
Fun!
This year was a fun one! There are so many people that come out with snacks, drinks, alcohol, etc. and every year, I’m afraid I will puke or won’t finish … MORE
This year was a fun one! There are so many people that come out with snacks, drinks, alcohol, etc. and every year, I’m afraid I will puke or won’t finish and don’t partake. This year, my group decided that we were going to have fun and not care about time. We had popsicles, bacon, chocolate, donuts, chicken nuggets, shots of fireball, shots of vodka, beer, full hotdogs, mimosas, among other things! The crowd was amazing! Every year they are! The race is very well put on and the crowd makes it better!
Swag improved
This year, the swag improved!! Each year, the Memorial just gets better and better! This is a race you definitely need to do. There is so much heart and emotion … MORE
This year, the swag improved!! Each year, the Memorial just gets better and better! This is a race you definitely need to do. There is so much heart and emotion behind this race—both the reason and the people. If you are wanting to do an Oklahoma race, this is the one. You will truly experience Oklahoma.
Repeat Runner but First for Marathon
This was not my first Memorial, but it was my first Memorial full. This was about 2 weeks after the Boston Marathon bombing, which made it even more emotional than … MORE
This was not my first Memorial, but it was my first Memorial full. This was about 2 weeks after the Boston Marathon bombing, which made it even more emotional than previous races. The thing I love the most about the Memorial is the reason it is put on and how much it exemplifies the resilience of Oklahoma City. As for the marathon course compared to the half marathon course, there were far less people along the course. The part along Lake Hefner was beautiful, but very windy. Continuous changes for the better with the race directors, too!
Better Weather
The weather this year was perfect! I was able to enjoy the race even more this year. There were small changes in the organization to make this an even better … MORE
The weather this year was perfect! I was able to enjoy the race even more this year. There were small changes in the organization to make this an even better event.
First Half Marathon
This was my 1st half marathon. The weather was not great, at all. Everything else was amazing. The course was great, the “swag” was a cotton t-shirt and a medal. MORE
This was my 1st half marathon. The weather was not great, at all. Everything else was amazing. The course was great, the “swag” was a cotton t-shirt and a medal.
Terrific memorial run
Emotional run seeing all the photos of everyone who died from the OKC bombing, arrive a day or two early so you can visit the memorial museum. Allow half a … MORE
Emotional run seeing all the photos of everyone who died from the OKC bombing, arrive a day or two early so you can visit the memorial museum. Allow half a day to really see it all and absorb the history.
The run was well supported. Enthusiastic volunteers.
OKC Hospitality
Ample aid stations, great community support, wonderful runner support. For as many runners as they had here, it went super smooth. The only thing that i missed out on was … MORE
Ample aid stations, great community support, wonderful runner support. For as many runners as they had here, it went super smooth. The only thing that i missed out on was getting my finisher shirt… it wasn’t in the finish area, but rather another part of a park. Oh well. Live and learn.
Emotional and well organized
I ran this half marathon back in 2016 and can only tell you it’s gotten better. They changed the route for the full but this was my first time running … MORE
I ran this half marathon back in 2016 and can only tell you it’s gotten better. They changed the route for the full but this was my first time running the full. It was IMMACULATE and beautiful the entire course! Lots of porta potties along the course.
While the tragic events that caused this marathon to take place are hard to absorb, the tribute this race provides is incredible. The memorial is open before the race and you can pay your respects and join the morning prayer. Before the race starts there is a 168 second moment of silence to honor each of the victims that were killed in the bombing.
As the race begins it’s as the sun is rising and you enjoy downtown OKC. As you progress along the course the streetlights have banners with the names of the victims on them.
It’s extremely emotional. I just fell in love with the kind reminder this race holds. I’m honored I was able to participate and defiantly recommend this one!
The only downfall is it gets hot and humid as the day progresses. I finished in just under 4 hours but was definitely starting to feel the heat.
Great race except for photos
Wonderful race!! The museum is one of the best. Course was awesome and goes through much of the need to sees of okc. The photo company is terrible though. They … MORE
Wonderful race!! The museum is one of the best. Course was awesome and goes through much of the need to sees of okc. The photo company is terrible though. They don’t bother tagging the photos or using OCR or facial recognition technology like other photo companies that do races. Don’t count on getting your photo unless you want to go through 700 pages of lost and found photos. It’s a shame since every other part of the race was well organized and very well done!
I like this race
This was my sixth marathon in Oklahoma and my first in OKC. The expo is one of the best I have been to with lots of booths. I received two … MORE
This was my sixth marathon in Oklahoma and my first in OKC. The expo is one of the best I have been to with lots of booths. I received two shirts and a heavy medal. We started out cool with a waterfall corals. I had run a marathon the day before. So I ran the first 5 miles and then did intervals the rest of the race. I was with many of my maniac friends so it was a social race for me. The highlight I believe is Gorilla Hill. Lots of cheering fans and food/drinks including champagne. I think is maybe a race I repeat. As for after the race, it was well organized and the thing I loved; those that finished late had all of the food and beer that they could drink also the band was still playing. That could be five stars for me after a few disappointments at other races.
Challenging, Emotional and Memorable
I thought this race was terrific on so many levels. The emphasis on remembering the victims, survivors, families, first responders, etc., of the 1995 bombing made the entire weekend memorable. … MORE
I thought this race was terrific on so many levels. The emphasis on remembering the victims, survivors, families, first responders, etc., of the 1995 bombing made the entire weekend memorable. Having the chance to hear so many stories about that tragic day and visiting the memorial was emotional. The race was more challenging that I expected but was so well done. The number of volunteers and their passion was amazing. I would highly recommend this event to anyone.
Run to remember
I participated in the first leg of the marathon relay and then continued on to complete the half marathon course. It's a well attending and well supported race. There are … MORE
I participated in the first leg of the marathon relay and then continued on to complete the half marathon course. It’s a well attending and well supported race. There are sections of the course that you no fan support. The half marathon course has some hills throughout but heavy during the later part of the course.
The expo is okay, the bib pickup and race shirts are not close together (opposite end of the facility from each other).
On race morning, there is a pancake option at the First Church (next to starting corrals) which is a nice touch. I would caution if you have a bag to check, pay attention to location that this occurs. It’s not at the starting area but several blocks away (at finish line).
The medal is great! Also, the tech shirts are nice.
Great Course Entertainment/Encouragement
The city and residents really show up for this race, offering tons of course encouragement/spectators throughout the half. The course is a little more hilly than expected but not unmanageable, … MORE
The city and residents really show up for this race, offering tons of course encouragement/spectators throughout the half. The course is a little more hilly than expected but not unmanageable, a nice challenge — ran it about 4 mins slower than my PR. Pretty well organized from my perspective and you get two tech shirts — a race shirt and a finishers shirt.
AMAZING!!!
These were 4 of the best 4 hours of my life! So glad this was my first marathon and I hope to be back every year for as long as … MORE
These were 4 of the best 4 hours of my life! So glad this was my first marathon and I hope to be back every year for as long as my legs will run!
Hopefully next year my knee makes it the whole way though!