My parents live right down the road in Norman, so this was a must do for me. The course isn't all that spectacular, but the start area, right next to … MORE
My parents live right down the road in Norman, so this was a must do for me. The course isn’t all that spectacular, but the start area, right next to the memorial for the bombing victims, is beautifully heartbreaking. I stood amongst the chairs for about 15 minutes before I worked my way to the line-up. Good chance to reflect on the reason the race was put together.
And the people along the route seem very, very happy to see you!
When I ran the full in 2015, the weather was perfect. When I ran the marathon relay with family members in 2011, the weather was the kind of crap that only Oklahoma in the Spring can deliver. Wind, rain, thunder, lightening, hail at the end…it was a delayed start and as a relay runner, I stood out in the pouring rain for about 1.5 hours…but what are you going to do, it’s Oklahoma in April – just be aware!
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Wonderful Atmosphere
My parents live right down the road in Norman, so this was a must do for me. The course isn't all that spectacular, but the start area, right next to … MORE
My parents live right down the road in Norman, so this was a must do for me. The course isn’t all that spectacular, but the start area, right next to the memorial for the bombing victims, is beautifully heartbreaking. I stood amongst the chairs for about 15 minutes before I worked my way to the line-up. Good chance to reflect on the reason the race was put together.
And the people along the route seem very, very happy to see you!
When I ran the full in 2015, the weather was perfect. When I ran the marathon relay with family members in 2011, the weather was the kind of crap that only Oklahoma in the Spring can deliver. Wind, rain, thunder, lightening, hail at the end…it was a delayed start and as a relay runner, I stood out in the pouring rain for about 1.5 hours…but what are you going to do, it’s Oklahoma in April – just be aware!
Best race ever!
Best part is all the people that live their come out and thank you for running the race and the atmosphere is great there everyone is so nice MORE
Best part is all the people that live their come out and thank you for running the race and the atmosphere is great there everyone is so nice
An Oklahoma Must Run!
A lot better weather this time around compared to last year, but got hot later on in the morning. The expo always have a lot of great vendors to check … MORE
A lot better weather this time around compared to last year, but got hot later on in the morning.
The expo always have a lot of great vendors to check out, but i didn’t like how the front entrance to get into the expo after you pick up your bib with the memorial shop right there at the front. It got crowded trying to shop that i didn’t get a chance to check out everything that i wanted to, plus the kids ringing the bells were giving me and my fiance headaches.
They still havent changed the waterfall start of the race & they really didnt check everyone’s corral letter i saw a lot of runners that should have been further back. Great crowd support throughout the race as your run throughout downtown OKC & the finish area was well organized.
Looking forward to running the full marathon next year & finishing with a decent time!
Hometown Favorite
I have run this race several times & it's truly a great event. The expo is always fun- although this year there were less vendors than in previous years. The … MORE
I have run this race several times & it’s truly a great event. The expo is always fun- although this year there were less vendors than in previous years. The medal & shirt you receive are great. The course is medium difficulty–the hardest part being miles 9-11 aka the slow climb of death up Classen. Crowds and support are PHENOMENAL every year and there are a wide variety of pacers for those interested.
Great first race!
This was my first half marathon. It was difficult but the crowd and snacks along the way helped tremendously. The amount of drink stations was probably one of my favorite … MORE
This was my first half marathon. It was difficult but the crowd and snacks along the way helped tremendously. The amount of drink stations was probably one of my favorite parts. There was no point in the race that I felt dehydrated. My favorite part was finishing. I truly felt like I accomplished something great and as I made the home stretch to the finish line I remember thinking back to the families and victims of the bombing and just welling up with tears. I’ll try to do this one again next year.
wonderful event. Job well done OKC
You have 168 reasons to run this race and then some! So fun! I choose to run in honor Kevin Lee Gottshall II every year. I wish they’d advertise this … MORE
You have 168 reasons to run this race and then some! So fun! I choose to run in honor Kevin Lee Gottshall II every year. I wish they’d advertise this more. It would be a sight to see if all 168 individuals were honored.
Always an amazing run
This is a fun and memorable race for all runners. The water stations are well spaced out with additional light snacks. The aid stations are well spaced as well. The … MORE
This is a fun and memorable race for all runners. The water stations are well spaced out with additional light snacks. The aid stations are well spaced as well. The course starts at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and winds through OKC. Gorilla Hill is a course staple that is fun and exciting to run up. All in all, I highly recommend running this at least once in your life.
Good times
My first time running this event and I was taken back by the amount of people and the meaning of this event. Got a little emotional observing the environment before … MORE
My first time running this event and I was taken back by the amount of people and the meaning of this event. Got a little emotional observing the environment before I crossed the starting line.
Supporting the memorial made me happy
Aide stations were awesome & having them at every mile was really nice. If you need a bathroom wait till mile 5 & there won't be much of a line. … MORE
Aide stations were awesome & having them at every mile was really nice. If you need a bathroom wait till mile 5 & there won’t be much of a line. LOL. Loved the medals & the expo event before hand, don’t miss out on the free photo booth by OU medical. Take that free hamburger at the end of the race, it will taste way better than you think.
Always a great time
The scenery and citizen participation does it for me. I walk almost the full 13.1 miles and the people out there cheering everyone one makes you feel like you’re in … MORE
The scenery and citizen participation does it for me. I walk almost the full 13.1 miles and the people out there cheering everyone one makes you feel like you’re in first place. I look forward to this race every single year. The finishers medals and shirts just get better every year. The Health & Fitness Expo is almost as fun as the race itself.
Great race for my first marathon
I was amazed by the support from the people along the route. Many of them had cleared the streets themselves after a storm 2 days before the race. MORE
I was amazed by the support from the people along the route. Many of them had cleared the streets themselves after a storm 2 days before the race.
Great race with lots of crowd support.
The crowd is fantastic. I was forced to walk instead of run because I had surgery 2 weeks before the race so I was able to enjoy all the donuts, … MORE
The crowd is fantastic. I was forced to walk instead of run because I had surgery 2 weeks before the race so I was able to enjoy all the donuts, etc along the way.
Must do
This was my four time participating but first time in the marathon. As my first marathon I wanted to do it at a race that means a lot and since … MORE
This was my four time participating but first time in the marathon. As my first marathon I wanted to do it at a race that means a lot and since moving to OKC I figured that this was the race to do it at. Also I know most of the course so I knew what I was getting myself into.
This is a must do race. No matter how much you know about the race or not you will be transformed. This race started to remember the people lost in the bombing and throughout the year it has grown to an incredible race. People from all over the country come to run to remember. Swag is always what people want to know, everyone gets the same participant shirt (which I don’t, as they should have different items for different races). The finishers of the half and full do receive a finisher shirt which is awesome. Full Marathon will receive green finisher shirts and Half marathon will receive yellow, these are the standard colors for those races. The medal has changed over the last ten years and the last couple of years has been a round medal with different designs on it. The expo is good but there could be some improvements to it such as more vendors. You can spend hours at the expo as there are opportunities to shop, register for races, listen to speakers and see the topography map.
Race Day
Weather is unpredictable so pack for any weather haha. One thing I have to warn you is that they do not offer wave starts. I have expressed my concern about it but did not receive a good response that was valid to my concern. Once the race starts everyone goes through the start line thus creates congestion on the course. Depending what corral you are in the more congestion you can get. If you are trying to qualify for Boston I hope you get in one of the first corrals to give you more room. I’m not a fast runner so when we are going up the hill around mile two it is hard to run around people as people are walking up the hill. I was a little annoyed about that. The route is great for the most part, some of the roads are not fully blocked so you have to be careful as some drivers are not paying attention. We had some random person biking on the same trail as we were using during the marathon. I’m glad nothing happened. The volunteers are amazing, they will stay out there for hours cheering you on.
Overall I would do it again. It was a great accomplishment and great support from the community even when crossing the finish line just after 6 hours.
Awesome race & well designed
Several aid stations throughout the course. Tons of food being given by spectators ( pretzels, donuts, chocolate, bananas, oranges, etc) lots of water stations & power aid stops.... Several port … MORE
Several aid stations throughout the course. Tons of food being given by spectators ( pretzels, donuts, chocolate, bananas, oranges, etc) lots of water stations & power aid stops…. Several port a potty along the course too. There was also water stations set up that you run under and it mist you too, they felt great. My first time running with out my drawstring bag as it wasn’t allowed, so I used a flip belt for this race and it held everything I needed. So between the belt and what I got along the race I had everything I needed.
First Half Marathon
Happy that i got to participate in the OKC Memorial! Event with the wet & cold weather, i was still able to finish faster than i predicted. Amazing support throughout … MORE
Happy that i got to participate in the OKC Memorial! Event with the wet & cold weather, i was still able to finish faster than i predicted. Amazing support throughout the race. I would like to see at the start that the corrals be broken up & release at different times instead of everyone going at once. Looking forward to getting a new PR whenever i run the half again in 2018
Good course with lots of fan support!
This was a good race/course. Good production although I felt a little lost at the finish line. It was only my 2nd but I really enjoyed all the fan support … MORE
This was a good race/course. Good production although I felt a little lost at the finish line. It was only my 2nd but I really enjoyed all the fan support along the route and the participation swag too. The route wasn’t quite as hard as A2A but it wasn’t seriously flat either.
Really great race. Challenging course
This is HILLY and challenging. But if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you, so i enjoyed it very much. The operations team really did a great job with … MORE
This is HILLY and challenging. But if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you, so i enjoyed it very much. The operations team really did a great job with almost everything and I will run this race again and again. Great burgers at the end – YUM! No beer…..boo.. Expo was very good, course was clean and well supported by the community, water stops were well staffed and efficient. Finish area was well done. Great job, OKC.
Last great race of the season
This is generally a flatter course, but becomes more difficult at this time of year. The year I ran, we were delayed due to storms (as can happen this time … MORE
This is generally a flatter course, but becomes more difficult at this time of year. The year I ran, we were delayed due to storms (as can happen this time of the year).
All in all, it was well run and a nice race. Fan support was really good during the portions where the half marathon course aligned with the full.
High expectations, and an okay race
I think I went into this race with really high expectations. I moved to OK almost a year ago, and many residents here raved about the OKC Memorial Marathon. In … MORE
I think I went into this race with really high expectations. I moved to OK almost a year ago, and many residents here raved about the OKC Memorial Marathon. In their raves, they praised the course, the meaningfulness, and above all the crowd support. The course was okay, the reason for the race, and the meaningfulness of it were dead on, and the crowd was not as big as I expected, but the people that did come out were AMAZING!
What works really well for OKC: (1) This race is a memorial for the 1995 OKC Bombing, and it’s an important memorial and remembrance. It’s all very moving, and many people in OKC are very connected to the events from that day. The fire stations all send decked out firemen to walk the Half Marathon. There is a campaign to raise money. It remains very tied to the mission of memorializing the victims and the event. (2) The race is really well-organized, there no hitches with production, no hiccups anywhere, great execution. They’re on their 16th year, and all the wrinkles are ironed out. (3) The expo was actually pretty great. Tons of vendors, the local running community (running stores and running groups) have great booths. (4) The volunteers and spectators were great! I mention below that I expected more spectators, but seriously everyone that was out there on Sunday wanted to be there, and they did make the event great. (5) I’m not huge on SWAG, but the medal is nice, and you get two t-shirts (I don’t know why two – one at the expo and one for finishing).
What I wish would have been better: (1) I think I just expected much more support, that was all anyone talked about. It wasn’t that the support was non-existent, and the people that were there, were fully there. Just from what I had been hearing, I expected more. There were definitely desolate areas. (2) The course is also at fault for taking you through some desolate areas. There are beautiful parts of OKC, and not so beautiful. Running up Classen through an industrial area was not the greatest. I wish they incorporated in more neighborhoods. (3) The roads in Oklahoma are horrible, all over, and OKC is no exception. I ran on tons of uneven pavement, big cracks, pot holes. (4) It felt difficult to find information on their website. It’s a fine website, but from the UX perspective, things weren’t where I expected them to be, or possibly weren’t there at all. (5) This is really a Half Marathon event. The website says marathon, but the vast majority of people are running the half. There were 9500 HM finishers and 2200 Full finishers.
All in all, it’s a perfectly fine city race. I love a city marathon, and this one was good. I’m just not sure I would travel super far to run it.
Running to Remember... Want to do again!
This was my second half, and I absolutely loved it. The weather was perfect, and the course made the race ten times better. Loved every minute of it! MORE
This was my second half, and I absolutely loved it. The weather was perfect, and the course made the race ten times better. Loved every minute of it!