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 …
MORE
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.
LESS
Well organized race and great course
Despite the tornado warning the night before, the weather on race day was beautiful. The event staff adapted the start time based on if it would rain/thunderstorm and it worked … MORE
Despite the tornado warning the night before, the weather on race day was beautiful. The event staff adapted the start time based on if it would rain/thunderstorm and it worked out in the end. The half course was well laid out and had pacers up to the 1:30 for half. Really liked the race and I’d gladly do it again next year.
fun community support
This race is pretty well known for having unpredictable weather. this year, we had tornado sirens and hail around oklahoma city the night before the race but pretty great weather … MORE
This race is pretty well known for having unpredictable weather. this year, we had tornado sirens and hail around oklahoma city the night before the race but pretty great weather the day of the race. Plan for everything from sleet to full sun! Course was pretty great and the community support was truly among the best. Plenty of official and un-official snack and hydration stops along the way and lots of cheering. I parked in between the start and finish areas in the Arts garage. It made for an uncomfortable walk afterward but not too bad. Friends asked afterward if it was sad running by the memorial and, ya know, it wasn’t. It was respectful. 168 seconds of silence at the beginning, 168 flags along the course and banners of the 168 lined the finish approach. Great community and great race.
Run To Remember
Course had several hills throughout but most of them were short. The spectators along the course were awesome. The energy throughout the day was amazing from both the runners and … MORE
Course had several hills throughout but most of them were short. The spectators along the course were awesome. The energy throughout the day was amazing from both the runners and the spectators. The swag included free entry to the Memorial Museum, which was very powerful!
Great Race
The crowd support this race was awesome. From Mimsoa Beach to Gorilla Hill, every neighborhood was out supporting all of the runners. Bathrooms were plentiful, I could grab a drink … MORE
The crowd support this race was awesome. From Mimsoa Beach to Gorilla Hill, every neighborhood was out supporting all of the runners. Bathrooms were plentiful, I could grab a drink or snack from just about anywhere and it was full of life. The lowest support was the last couple of miles and then it picked back up around the finish line. A great race that I highly recommend, and OKC was a great little “clean” city to visit. Lots to do and see!
Truly a Run to Remember
This race will always have a special place in my heart because first, it is my hometown race, but more importantly, the emotional impact of the sight of the Memorial … MORE
This race will always have a special place in my heart because first, it is my hometown race, but more importantly, the emotional impact of the sight of the Memorial in the early morning before the race starts, the 168 seconds of silence, and the banners and pictures of all those who were lost that day that you see as you approach the finish line make it an event like no other.
Great Cause and a Must Do
This race is an absolute gem. Great course, city, cause, neighborhood support, super volunteers, etc. etc. This is a top notch race and a must do especially if you are … MORE
This race is an absolute gem. Great course, city, cause, neighborhood support, super volunteers, etc. etc. This is a top notch race and a must do especially if you are a 50 Stater.
Great Community and connected to cause
The OKC run to remember is a fundraiser for the Oklahoma City Bombing memorial. The race starts at the memorial and runs through a town still very impacted by that … MORE
The OKC run to remember is a fundraiser for the Oklahoma City Bombing memorial. The race starts at the memorial and runs through a town still very impacted by that tragedy. So you feel very connected to the cause.
The community involvement on this race was FANTASTIC. So many spectators and great aid stations (official and otherwise). I felt supported every single mile.
Great race
Lots of little rolling hills but great crowd support. Wonderful weather. We lucked out. Emotional seeing all the pictures at the end. Appreciate all the people cheering us on. MORE
Lots of little rolling hills but great crowd support. Wonderful weather. We lucked out. Emotional seeing all the pictures at the end. Appreciate all the people cheering us on.
Well run race
This is a well organized race, and I would do it again. It's very memorable and the morning start is awesome with the flag coming through the crowd of runners. … MORE
This is a well organized race, and I would do it again. It’s very memorable and the morning start is awesome with the flag coming through the crowd of runners. I took my family and everyone had a good time. The buses to and from the race were very appreciated. Met some great people on those buses!
Definitely will think about doing the race again. A few hills I wasn’t expecting for OKC but made it and did OK. Good crowd support.
Great Marathon for the cause
The race was great! The route ok. The only thing I didn't like was there were a lot of turns in close proximity. OKC is a beautiful city. The memorial … MORE
The race was great! The route ok. The only thing I didn’t like was there were a lot of turns in close proximity. OKC is a beautiful city. The memorial is worth the tour!
Worth the trip to OKC!
While it is cheaper to stay by the airport an take the free race shuttle, all the action is downtown and in Bricktown. Spend the extra $$ and stay there … MORE
While it is cheaper to stay by the airport an take the free race shuttle, all the action is downtown and in Bricktown. Spend the extra $$ and stay there to really enjoy the city experience. Be sure to tour the museum, runners get free entry by showing their bib.
A race to remember.
Not my best but not my worst marathon performance. The support is amazing. The organization is amazing. The crowds are amazing. (yes, three amazings). It is for these reasons that … MORE
Not my best but not my worst marathon performance. The support is amazing. The organization is amazing. The crowds are amazing. (yes, three amazings). It is for these reasons that Runners’ World labels this as one to run and I agree. I like hills but this was actually worse than Tulsa in terms of hills. They never ended. Gorilla Hill was actually one of the easier hills – but the best supported – the one right after Gorilla Hill was tougher with more to come. Glad we did it but one and done for me. The reason for the run is evident. Starting at the Memorial is very special. The support from the city, the citizens, the organization and the volunteers is simply amazing (amazing yet again – enough cannot be said for OKC). They flat out know how to block off streets. Safest marathon I have ever run except maybe Berlin.
Great race for a great cause
The course has plenty of hills. But the clothes is very much worth it. Everything was well-run and organized and the core support was amazing. Spectators everywhere and all the … MORE
The course has plenty of hills. But the clothes is very much worth it. Everything was well-run and organized and the core support was amazing. Spectators everywhere and all the neighborhoods were filled with people cheering you on
Great First Marathon
In 2019 they changed the course around the lake area. This helped with wind & hill issues from years prior (from what I’ve heard). The spectators and fan fair along … MORE
In 2019 they changed the course around the lake area. This helped with wind & hill issues from years prior (from what I’ve heard). The spectators and fan fair along this course make this race one of the best! Seriously, it felt like everyone in this city was at the course. The race is organized well. I shuttled from a host hotel to/from the start with no problems at all. I was looking for a course I thought I had the best chance at finishing as a first time full marathoner and this proved to be a success. The race is mostly flat, the expo was set up well, host hotels were welcoming and getting my family around the start/finish like was doable with the amount of info provided by the organization. The start to this race is so touching and somber with honoring the bombing victims & families. You can feel the way the tragedy touched this town and still does. Touching and impactful to experience.
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.