Overall Rating
Overall Rating (171 Reviews)
4.5
(171 Ratings)  (171 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.4
SCENERY
3.9
PRODUCTION
4.6
SWAG
4.4
The Williams Route 66 Marathon is a Boston-qualifying race that is run on a USATF certified course throughout 26.2 miles of the historic and scenic streets of Tulsa. All participants are timed electronically, and first-time marathoners will receive a special “My First Marathon” Finisher’s Medal. The Center of the Universe … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 23):
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H (°F)  62  57  71  55  55
L (°F)  35  40  38  33  36
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Recent reviews

    LoganWoodruff00 FIRST-TIMER '23

    While I kinda fell apart towards the end of the race, the marathon itself was pretty great. The course support was top-notch. The city of Tulsa was great! I also … MORE

    While I kinda fell apart towards the end of the race, the marathon itself was pretty great. The course support was top-notch. The city of Tulsa was great! I also completed the Oklahoma Standard challenge!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    pablopelos REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I ran this race years ago and the course went east of the city and was much more hilly. THe course winds on the waterfront more and stays nearer the … MORE

    I ran this race years ago and the course went east of the city and was much more hilly. THe course winds on the waterfront more and stays nearer the city. I met a lot of fun people along the way and convinced some to be drinking buddies along the way, didn’t go for a fast time, just a good time. Had a good time as alcohol and snacks along the way are top notch, some official and other non-official. Nice race, do the center of the universe add-on, it is worth it for the extra bling.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    The weather, to include the light rain, was perfect race weather — a mild and damp 51° F with a gentle 6 mph breeze. Each corral crossed the starting line … MORE

    The weather, to include the light rain, was perfect race weather — a mild and damp 51° F with a gentle 6 mph breeze. Each corral crossed the starting line to the fanfare of music and confetti, which was a nice reminder of the colorful, exciting, and lively atmosphere that was Tulsa’s biggest party. We started our 13.1 mile tour of Tulsa downtown, which is renowned for the second largest collection of Art Deco architecture outside of Miami. The first mile was a very gentle, very gradual easy downhill, and I savored every minute of it while my muscles warmed up.

    Once we hit the neighborhoods of Tulsa, we came across a few unofficial aid stations offering alcoholic beverages and unconventional treats, and my favorite aid station of them all was one in which a woman was offering “nose napkins and mimosas.” The rain had subsided to a barely perceptible light mist, and so I loaded up on tissues and thanked the tissue and mimosa lady profusely. Other runners made their approval known as well, concurring that this had been their favorite aid station.

    After mile 1, the journey to mile 2 was a gradual uphill, and all throughout the rest of the course there were frequent elevation changes with noticeable uphill and barely noticeable declines. I hesitate to call them “gently rolling hills,” because some of the hills, especially the last one preceding mile 12, were far from gentle. We ran past some of the most beautiful houses I’d ever seen in the Midwest while we were passing through the neighborhoods of Tulsa, and I mentally made a note of at least two mansions to look up on Zillow later.

    Aid stations were spaced out approximately every two miles, and each aid station was manned with friendly and engaging volunteers ready to shower us with water and Gatorade. The course continued through Midtown, and then we ran along the Arkansas River with beautiful views of damp fall foliage before crossing the historic Route 66 around mile 11. There were some great opportunities to get photos with the famous Route 66 sign, and a race photographer was positioned to capture some candid shots of runners in front of the sign.

    Mile 11 began in a decline and then we started to ascend again up the monstrosity known as “Crybaby Hill.” My legs were already fatigued from the previous 10 miles’ worth of hills, so by the time I began to crest Crybaby Hill, I was nearly in tears, lending credence to the hill’s moniker. The final two miles took us back towards the Tulsa Arts District, where we finished at Guthrie Green. Underneath the canopy in the finisher’s corral, volunteers handed out warm slices of pepperoni pizza, which had been delivered that morning in heat bags by Simple Simon’s Pizza. It was one of the best slices of pizza I’d ever eaten in my calorie-deprived and muscle-fatigued state.

    Before heading back to my hotel for some rest, I swung by the Route 66 Historical Village and snapped a photo of my medal with the iconic sign for which the medal was inspired. 10/10 would recommend this race to anyone looking for a great race in Oklahoma. Pre-race communication and race production were phenomenal, and the expo was fun with lots of awesome vendors!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    My Report
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

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    bethannar52 FIRST-TIMER '23

    Difficulty: -- This course is deceptively hilly. If you live & train in a flat area (like me), I definitely would NOT recommend this race. That should be obvious, but … MORE

    Difficulty:
    — This course is deceptively hilly. If you live & train in a flat area (like me), I definitely would NOT recommend this race. That should be obvious, but I stupidly underestimated the impact of the hills & it really hurt my race experience as a whole.

    Scenery:
    — Scenery is nice, some miles were kinda bland, but you get to see a lot of Tulsa which is neat!

    Race production:
    — I was very impressed with the race production. Exceptional job. Very organized altogether; I never ONCE got confused about turns, mile markers, or anything the route; volunteers were kind and helpful; expo/packet pick up was super cool with tons of products to shop…overall, very well done. My only complaints: 1.) After the half marathon marker, portapotties are SPARSE. I had to use a McDonald’s bathroom at mile 19… 2.) By the time I finished, the whole after party was over. No food, drinks, nothing. Honestly, that was really disappointing. I think after running 26.2 miles, no matter how long it takes you, you should get to participate in an after party. Especially after paying almost $200 to run it. 3.) I was in the last corral & it took 15mins just for us to get to the start line. The confetti pop I was so excited for didn’t even happen — only for the earlier corrals…

    Race swag:
    — Medal is DOPE, I love it!! Pullover, not so much – it’s kinda ugly lol, & I really wanted something that says “route 66 marathon finisher.” It just has the tiny logo in the corner.

    Other notes:
    — I was most excited about the amazing crowd support I heard about. That was true for the first 13.1 miles; it really was amazing, honestly! I felt the love from Tulsa locals & it was very special. But then…the next 13.1 miles were dead. Especially miles 19-26!! Lonely, kinda eerie, felt like a ghost town. I wasn’t expecting that so I really struggled. Basically, this is a super hype HALF marathon. If I run it again, I will definitely not be doing the full distance, mostly for that reason. Also, my watch clocked 26.8 miles…be sure to hug the corners!!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    2

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    Sockwelly REPEAT RUNNER '23

    The race swag was almost the same as the years in the past. The hills in the end are killer, but manageable. I overall really enjoy this race, it’s always … MORE

    The race swag was almost the same as the years in the past. The hills in the end are killer, but manageable. I overall really enjoy this race, it’s always so much fun.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    2

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    aubreyflowers FIRST-TIMER '23

    The organization was great and not confusing at all! There were so many people cheering you on and handing out water so you felt very supported! The course has a … MORE

    The organization was great and not confusing at all! There were so many people cheering you on and handing out water so you felt very supported! The course has a few big hills but you’ll feel great about completing it at the end. Overall a wonderful experience!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    [email protected] REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Everything was nice except for the finish line i finished my marathon and try to hydrate myself but they didn’t give me a bottle of water because I had a … MORE

    Everything was nice except for the finish line i finished my marathon and try to hydrate myself but they didn’t give me a bottle of water because I had a Gatorade already. They were really cheap at the finish line one slice of pizza one 1/4 of the banana one bottle of Gatorade or Water you can’t have both and their price for the marathon is not cheap. I’m very disappointed I have been running the marathon since 2017 and it use to be very good but not this year

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    evy.paige FIRST-TIMER '23

    This was my first half marathon and the experience was so good that it won’t be my last. The thing about this race is that you run through neighborhoods. There … MORE

    This was my first half marathon and the experience was so good that it won’t be my last. The thing about this race is that you run through neighborhoods. There are many unofficial aid stations and just a multitude of people cheering throughout the entirety of the race. The volunteers were extremely friendly and helpful. The medal was also really nice. The marathon and half marathon runners received a blue quarter zip. It wasn’t the worst thing but I most definitely would not have chosen it for myself. The entire race was a 10/10 experience and I would definitely recommend checking it out if you haven’t already.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3
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    krystiansisson FIRST-TIMER '23

    It’s a beautiful and fun route through Tulsa. The route is hilly through the first several miles, but the neighborhood cheering crowds were so encouraging. I would have loved to … MORE

    It’s a beautiful and fun route through Tulsa. The route is hilly through the first several miles, but the neighborhood cheering crowds were so encouraging. I would have loved to have a choice for the swag, but appreciated that the size choices were inclusive. One note is that the start and finish are not at the same spot, so check the map to plan ahead if needed. Overall, it was a positive experience and I look forward to running the race again in the future.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    1

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    brfarleyrn80 FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is one of the most energetic and supportive races you will run! Neighborhoods throughout Tulsa set up in their own front yard with signs, snacks and costumes to join … MORE

    This is one of the most energetic and supportive races you will run! Neighborhoods throughout Tulsa set up in their own front yard with signs, snacks and costumes to join in on the fun.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
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    jennimiller2114 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    This race treats Maniacs and Fanatics right! If you are a maniac, fanatic or 50 stater you’ll love the perks at this race! It’s a very well put on race … MORE

    This race treats Maniacs and Fanatics right! If you are a maniac, fanatic or 50 stater you’ll love the perks at this race! It’s a very well put on race for all! No detail is spared. The spectators are some of the very best! Tulsa does not disappoint! I’ve ran this race multiple times and they are always working to improve and it gets better every time! They work with the hotel partners for late check outs and they have a good expo.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
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    jasonpmorris22 FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is a race that is hard to explain other than it being fun! It is a challenging course with plenty of hills and great views. Running through the beautiful … MORE

    This is a race that is hard to explain other than it being fun! It is a challenging course with plenty of hills and great views. Running through the beautiful neighborhoods of Tulsa is truly the best part of the race. The streets were always lined with people handing out food or drinks and cheering on the runners. If it weren’t for some people with pickle juice on one road the cramps I had could have been much worse. Great run and great environment!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Msjj16 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Route 66 is a great race & my favorite. It was my first Half Marathon in 2016. I look forward to joining the party on the pavement every year. I … MORE

    Route 66 is a great race & my favorite. It was my first Half Marathon in 2016. I look forward to joining the party on the pavement every year. I make it a full weekend completing the double! The community celebrate with us in the cold or rain! The volunteers are awesome!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
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    Amcdowell65 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Good race through some nice neighborhoods, with occasional hills to keep you honest. Fans in the neighborhood make the race. Hello shots and/or mimosas just when you need them most. … MORE

    Good race through some nice neighborhoods, with occasional hills to keep you honest. Fans in the neighborhood make the race. Hello shots and/or mimosas just when you need them most. 😉

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    nick308shtr REPEAT RUNNER '23

    This is a flat course until the end, which becomes hilly very quickly, but the support from the locals easily push you through. This was my 3rd consecutive year running … MORE

    This is a flat course until the end, which becomes hilly very quickly, but the support from the locals easily push you through.
    This was my 3rd consecutive year running and I set my PR with a 3:30:55.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    5
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    I have done this race several times. I love it. Our hotel is 2 blocks away from the finish line which is great. There are lots of fans out along … MORE

    I have done this race several times. I love it. Our hotel is 2 blocks away from the finish line which is great. There are lots of fans out along the way with a lot of them offering food and beverages to the runners. I love seeing the beautiful neighborhoods and the private school we run past. We also run beside the Arkansas River for about a mile, we get to run ON Route 66 for awhile,
    I did the full marathon a few years ago. They have a short turnout toward the end of the race. If you choose to take it, [you get to decide if you take it as you are running], then you have run the shortest ultra marathon in the US. They give you a coin and a beer at the top of the turnout. Very cool that I can say I have run an ultra.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
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    sandialyson FIRST-TIMER '23

    I participated in the Double (5k on Saturday and Full Marathon on Sunday). The race was so well organized and the community support really can't be beat. My only quibble … MORE

    I participated in the Double (5k on Saturday and Full Marathon on Sunday). The race was so well organized and the community support really can’t be beat.

    My only quibble is that the Expo takes place at the convention center where there is limited free parking (particularly with the setup of WinterFest). It would be nice if it could be moved to OSU Tulsa so it’s still downtown but parking is ample/simple to find.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    ArtDocRunner FIRST-TIMER '23

    It rained and was a little chilly but the runs through the treed neighborhoods really made this race worth it. We parked by the start line which was .75 miles … MORE

    It rained and was a little chilly but the runs through the treed neighborhoods really made this race worth it. We parked by the start line which was .75 miles from the finish. No gels on the course. My novice runner friends were none too pleased with me. Friendly spectators and shots along the way. Plenty to eat afterwards.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    The course support and spectators pumped us up. The course wound through a little bit of everything - bike trail, riverside trail, downtown. I enjoyed it greatly! MORE

    The course support and spectators pumped us up. The course wound through a little bit of everything – bike trail, riverside trail, downtown. I enjoyed it greatly!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    [email protected] REPEAT RUNNER '23

    The Route 66 is such a fun marathon!! Such good energy, everyone’s so nice & supportive. It’s always a breeze for packet pick up & race day! I love the … MORE

    The Route 66 is such a fun marathon!! Such good energy, everyone’s so nice & supportive. It’s always a breeze for packet pick up & race day! I love the medals, they’re always so cute & the swag is always super cute.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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  1. Races
  2. Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon