Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon
Tulsa, OK
- 26.5 Miler, Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K, 1 Miler, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Run on the Mother of all Roads. The Williams Route 66 Marathon showcases the best of what Tulsa has to offer! Start your race in downtown Tulsa, home of the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture outside of Miami, and then make your way through Tulsa’s vibrant and diverse neighborhoods … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 21):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 72 | 57 | 56 | 57 | 62 |
| L (°F) | 53 | 36 | 36 | 29 | 43 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Rolling Hills and a Unique Course
This race is all about fan support from the locals, offering drinks and food from their front lawns and driveways. Nice rolling hills give a little elevation challenge and a … MORE
This race is all about fan support from the locals, offering drinks and food from their front lawns and driveways. Nice rolling hills give a little elevation challenge and a full tour of the city. Race swag was cool with a full jacket for the half or full runners.
Nice Run in Oklahoma
The Route 66 Half Marathon is a good race hosted by the nice folks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This was the 20th year for the race. The finisher medal was the … MORE
The Route 66 Half Marathon is a good race hosted by the nice folks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This was the 20th year for the race. The finisher medal was the blue whale that is a miniature replica of the quirky roadside attraction located in Catoosa along Route 66. My husband and I had visited this roadside stop earlier in the year. When I learned that it would be the finisher medal for the race, I had to register! It was a fun race, the volunteers were great, and support along the course was fine.
Has everything going for it!
This race is top-notch. They have excellent communications and a wonderful E-guide that covers every question you could possibly think of, including details on spectating. Communication was amazing, it was … MORE
This race is top-notch. They have excellent communications and a wonderful E-guide that covers every question you could possibly think of, including details on spectating. Communication was amazing, it was a great expo with an awesome swag puffer jacket that I’ve since seen people wearing at other half marathons. Great marketing concept! The medal was also amazing. The race day itself went very smoothly. Parking was absolutely no problem with free parking on the streets. If you park in any of the lots, you do have to pay. Awesome confetti start. The race was the best marked race I’ve ever seen, no getting lost here! TULSA has wonderful art deco buildings, and I really enjoy the whole route. Great food post race. I really did enjoy this one!!
If you’re thinking of doing this race, you should do it in 2026 as it’s the 100th anniversary of route 66 and I’m sure they’re will be top-notch swag and festivities.
What. A. Party!
First: most of this race is not actually on Route 66. Second: Route 66 has had many, many re-routes over the years, go find your favorite little stretch of it … MORE
First: most of this race is not actually on Route 66.
Second: Route 66 has had many, many re-routes over the years, go find your favorite little stretch of it – we had a fun time treasure hunting.
Finally: Y’all, there is so much alcohol on course, DO NOT be like me and vow to try every shot available. There was more liquor on course than at the Urban Bourbon! lol. Be smart to have more fun.
Overall, TOTAL PARTY, lots of places for spectators to repeat-see, tons of great neighborhood representation. Tulsa was quite the sleepy town IMO, but the race was fabulous.
One big block party
I've never been offered so many shots of Fireball at a race before. There were so many block parties with beer and Fireball. I was pretty buzzed by the time … MORE
I’ve never been offered so many shots of Fireball at a race before. There were so many block parties with beer and Fireball. I was pretty buzzed by the time I reached the finish line.
Crowds were out in force cheering and carrying on. It was just a great overall experience.
The medal was this huge heavy whale, like so huge and heavy that if I swung it, and hit someone with it, it would cause grievous injury. There was no finisher shirt — instead it was a heavy finisher puffer jacket!
Good Race
It was more hilly than I was expecting. Cool to check out the city a head of time. Stayed the night after the race and it seemed like the city … MORE
It was more hilly than I was expecting. Cool to check out the city a head of time. Stayed the night after the race and it seemed like the city cleared out. Good course support despite being a little on the chilly side.
Made me want to run more marathons
I loved this race. Great crowds and well organized. Loved the portion along the river. Many hotels near the start line so it was easy to get to the start. MORE
I loved this race. Great crowds and well organized. Loved the portion along the river. Many hotels near the start line so it was easy to get to the start.
Hilly but huge crowd support
Very well organized race, with nice swag (even though the medal painting quality was dubious, and got chipped in a few places by the time I got back home). Two … MORE
Very well organized race, with nice swag (even though the medal painting quality was dubious, and got chipped in a few places by the time I got back home). Two things that need to be known about this race: first, there is a HUGE crowd support. I have rarely seen so many people everywhere alongside the roads and this was marathon 15. Second, it is hilly. There are hills everywhere. Nothing too serious, but just the constant back and forth. Scenery-wise… well, this is Tulsa. Nothing to see here.
Race Dir.’s know how to put on a party
Packet pick up easy with a fun expo with lots of fun photo opportunities. Very organized, fun swag with the 20th anniversary(puffer jacket and of course the absolutely fun blue … MORE
Packet pick up easy with a fun expo with lots of fun photo opportunities. Very organized, fun swag with the 20th anniversary(puffer jacket and of course the absolutely fun blue whale finisher’s medal! Pacers available for race day, awesome confetti cannons at the start for all the waves. Well marked course with probably the best crowd and unsanctioned aid stations I’ve ever seen. Beautiful neighborhoods, historic downtown and Route 66. Good traffic control. Train for hills!! Good after party with live music. This is a party race and runners were having fun!
Route 66 Rocked the Road
If someone would have told me that Oklahoma would play such a critical play in my race journey, I would have laughed. The only times I had willingly DROVE through … MORE
If someone would have told me that Oklahoma would play such a critical play in my race journey, I would have laughed. The only times I had willingly DROVE through Oklahoma were family road trips. Now, I can honestly recommend Oklahoma as a Midwest destination for a fun weekend runcation.
I completed the Route 66 Half marathon after a 50k in Iowa (see Stuffed Turkey review), a 7-hour drive and two hours of sleep. I clearly need new friends (here’s looking at you jkelling). Due to the tight schedule, I paid extra for the race-day packet pick-up. Although it was just a simple 10×10 tent, appreciate the option and understand the extra cost involved. I don’t know the total number, but thousands of runners participate. I can only imagine the lines, and headaches, if race day pick-up was available for free to all.
Like the RunTulsa start, the wide start corral was well-organized, spacious and upbeat. There was no awkward turns or low-energy DJ (cough, cough…KC Garmin). With different letter corrals, confetti canons were set off for each corral. I love this! Even though we were at the back, the confetti canons made it feel special and the upbeat energy needed to start the race on the right foot. Every runner felt the excitement of a start usually reserved for the elite frontrunners.
Let’s cut to the chase: Route 66 BROUGHT the party!! There was easily 7 unofficial party stations for runners to pick their poison: champagne, jello shots, tequila, vodka, fireball and more. This was a celebration, so I may know a runner or two that partook in all the stations. (Hey! It was a recovery run!) Volunteers obviously know this, though, because the official water station were spaces accordingly so the only stumbling runners at the finish line was due to running and not the beverages.
Even without the unofficial stops, the vibe was nonstop. The personalized race bibs (My First Half, 50 Half marathoners, etc…) were encouraging and a nice touch. I usually run with headphones and I did not need them. The course was not crowd packed of supporters, but those out, did not fail.
The course itself was not bad at all. Being the third Tulsa race for me, it was nice to see some familiar spots and new parts of the city. Honestly, props to the race directors for such a fun course. All parts of the city were explored and there was never a dull moment to just look at clouds. I almost lost my tunnel challenge to jkelling, but he stopped when my 50k medal fell off. Yes, we wore them on the race, and yes, he was on par to beat me. Being the gentleman that he is, he allowed me to call it a draw. Running under the Route 66 sign was pretty awesome experience.
Now on to the swag, because any runner knows that swag is important. When I say we cleaned up, we cleaned up. Route 66 half marathoners and marathoners received a nice thin, but warm, puffer jacket with an embroidered logo on the chest. I decided to store it in the included pouch and keep in ky car for an extra jacket. The race is the challenge finisher for the Oklahoma City Run to Remember and Tulsa Run. We received our blue whale half marathon medal, challenge medal for doing Oklahoma City and challenge coin for doing Tulsa Run. If I was a local, I’d do all the races all the time. One little ding, literally, on the blue whale medal. Due to the medals dinging each other at the finish line, the blue paint chipped. I have not hung the medal because I don’t want it to chip anymore.
The finish line festival was full of booths. The cold pizza (it was COLD weather) hit the spot as we exited the finisher chute. I honestly can’t remember what other goodies we had, but we did. Oh, one recommendation: PARK AT THE FINISH LINE. The start and finish are different spots. We had to walk UPHILL about a mile to our car. Next time around that hike will serve as our warm-up. (Yes, I am foregoing my pre-race nap.)
Oklahoma turned out to be a great gift to me this year. From the Classen hotel in Oklahoma City, meeting a running inspiration in Tulsa and topping it off with a fun amd rewarding experience at Route 66, Oklahoma was definitely a racing experience to remember…and run again.
Enjoyable Race experience in Oklahoma
Race communication was very good all arouund. Smallish expo but had everything one might need. I participated in the 5K on Saturday as a shakeout which was very large with … MORE
Race communication was very good all arouund. Smallish expo but had everything one might need. I participated in the 5K on Saturday as a shakeout which was very large with lots of locals and a really fun vibe. Stayted at the downtown Doubletree which was right accross the street from the expo and a short .25 mile walk to the marathon start line on Sunday. I also walked back to the hotel from the finish line which was a distance of about .9 miles. Sunday’s marathon weather was perfect and there were plenty of aid stations/water stops with porta pottys along the marathon route. The first 19 miles of the course was scenic, running through neighborhoods then a bike path along the river. At about mile 19 it seemed to be an all concrete commercial/industrial section which was uninteresting until we entered the downtown again for the last mile or so for the finish. There are some hills on the course. Swag was a decent winter jacket.
Tulsa is an enjoyable town to visit including both a Bob Dylan and Willie Guthrie museum plus all the art deco architecture. Plenty of good restaurants as well and it is easy to navigate the city by foot or car. The airport is a short ride from downtown.
I recommend the Williams Route 66 marathon, good experience overall.
Its not flat regardless what they say
We heard this race was fairly flat, but my watch showed about 550 feet of elevation for the half. Most of that came in the first 3-4 miles, with a … MORE
We heard this race was fairly flat, but my watch showed about 550 feet of elevation for the half. Most of that came in the first 3-4 miles, with a decent hill at miles 11-12, though I don’t think it quite matched the early climbs. The middle sections are genuinely flat.
Despite the name, you’re only on Route 66 for less than a mile, part of which is a turnaround on a bridge. Still, it’s a really cool part of the race. Running past the shops around miles 6-8 was probably the most boring stretch. I really enjoyed the upscale neighborhoods with their hills, the park by the river, and the sections where you see Route 66.
The race has good crowd participation, though I’ve heard OKC’s is even better. There was a lot of alcohol being offered—I even saw 10-year-old boys handing out beers to runners. The party scene isn’t really my thing, but I was impressed with the live music at the finish and the free massages, which weren’t crowded at all (unlike the beer line).
The expo was above average with some really cool photo ops. They had an AI portrait machine that drew a character of you running and a selfie machine that made a video of action poses. They gave away free gloves, which later were lying everywhere on the course. There was something else free they were giving away, but I believe we missed out because we came late. I got the impression we would have gotten more free vendor stuff if we’d shown up early.
The race swag was one of the best—a lightweight bomber jacket. I don’t wear it while running, but I’ve been using it as my pre-warm-up jacket before cold runs and races, and I wear it out a lot. High marks on the swag.
The course itself was one of the best. There weren’t huge iconic moments like the rockets in Alabama, but the variety was the best of all my races so far. I didn’t get bored with the route at all. The finish was also pretty good—live music and so many massage tables. You didn’t need to wait at all.
The one thing I didn’t like was that the start and finish were in different locations—about 2 miles apart. If you were smart, you parked somewhere in the middle, but either way you’re walking a good distance to the start or from the finish. That’s not ideal after a long race.
Overall, this race didn’t do anything extremely well, but it did everything good. That consistent quality actually makes it the best of the six halves I’ve done so far, which surprises me. I’d definitely run it again since it’s close and makes for a fun experience.
Tulsa Race Weekend Day 2
This is my third distance to run at this event, ran the 5K the day before this run and ran the marathon several years ago. I was making a trip … MORE
This is my third distance to run at this event, ran the 5K the day before this run and ran the marathon several years ago. I was making a trip to Kansas City for the holidays and this race weekend got into our schedule.
There is a small expo to pickup packets.
Start and finish are both downtown but a mile apart
There are lots of hotel options downtown that are no more than a mile from either start/finish/expo.
Also lots of parking if not staying at a hotel
I ran the half marathon this year. The course while most would not say it is super hilly, the first 10k or so seems to have you constantly going up or down hill of some grade or another. It levels out after 10k and then as you re-enter downtown around mile 10/11 you start to climb a bit. It for sure isn’t easy but it isn’t hard.
Lots of aid stations with great volunteers. Lots of spectators at least in the first 10k then they tin out a bit until you get back to the finish line. Lots of unofficial aid stations and lots of shots along the way of that is your thing.
Swag is a packable jacket this year and a finisher medal. There is also a Doubler coin for anyone that ran on Saturday and Sunday.
Great event, lots of spectators at times and lots of volunteers.
Iconic Rt 66
I really loved this race even with all the rolling hills! I found there were enough emails to keep me updated on the race. I loved the expo, and the … MORE
I really loved this race even with all the rolling hills! I found there were enough emails to keep me updated on the race. I loved the expo, and the swag!! Race morning was also smooth with plenty of porta-johns lined up in multiple areas. The racecourse for the half was hilly, but all the spectators spread out brought smiles to my face. The course runs through many beautiful neighborhoods and alongside the river, but I wouldn’t’ t say this was a race for the “view”. Would I run this again? HELL YES!
The hills are not that bad
I was prepared for the hills and they ended up being not as bad as I thought. If you ran Atlanta or Flying Pig - these aren’t as bad (overall … MORE
I was prepared for the hills and they ended up being not as bad as I thought. If you ran Atlanta or Flying Pig – these aren’t as bad (overall gain around 800ft). As other said, great race production, and if you’re part of the 50 state marathon club or Marathon Maniacs, this is a must race for you. They really go the extra mile to make it special.
Expo was great with awesome swag and samples. Loved the neighborhoods in the beginning, the river part of the university. Did the center of the universe detour and got a special coin for it – there was construction around so I think the detour was only .1 instead of .3. Post party was really chill with some local beer options and not just the normal mich ultra. Overall, highly recommended.
Get your kicks!
Love this race. The course ran through a lot of big beautiful homes to start. The hills seemed to be mostly in the first 6 miles. Then it seemed flat … MORE
Love this race. The course ran through a lot of big beautiful homes to start. The hills seemed to be mostly in the first 6 miles. Then it seemed flat until a hill at the end maybe mile 11/12. It was around 525 gain. It is just a short bit in 66, but still fun to say I’ve run on Route 66! I carry my own nutrition, so I didn’t pay attention to aid stations. One big feature is the pre race VIP tent for all maniac and 50 staters!! You grab a band from the expo booth and they have 4-6 porta potties just for us and also maybe some coffee or something. Post race there is also a tent with some snacks and our own personal bag drop area. This year the swag was an amazing bubble down jacket. I’m not sure if they had one that was for half and marathon, I ended up getting one that says marathon even though I only did the half. 🤷♀️ It was nice. The parking was easy because I get there about an hour before the race. I parked just south of the finish line so it was great to walk back to my car only .2-.3 miles. The other option is to park near the start and that’s also within .8 of the finish, so it is not bad either way you go. Parking is also free for street parking on the weekend for both the expo and race itself. Save the $20 or more and just walk half a mile if even that both days!
There were people all along the course for the first 6-8 miles. Then it lightened up a little, then crowds again at the end. This year the weather was ideal 40s-50s and cloudy.
I stayed at a hotel near the airport which was nice because check out was at noon so I had time to shower and then drop off my rental and catch my flight with plenty of time to spare.
Tulsa was great! Get your kicks on Route 66!!
Racing on the OG Mother road
Loved the race in the oil capital of the world - the rolling hills were brutal, but the weather was perfect. The course was well staffed with plenty of support, … MORE
Loved the race in the oil capital of the world – the rolling hills were brutal, but the weather was perfect. The course was well staffed with plenty of support, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much alcohol being handed out by spectators during a race. Everything from beer to Fireball shots was on offer. I had switched from the marathon to the half, which placed me in the last corral (D), but it didn’t really matter since I moved up near the front of the line. Honestly, it’s a nice morale boost to be overtaking runners from the faster corrals. Tulsa itself was beautiful, with its Art Deco architecture, great food, and friendly people. ‘Gathering place’ park is a must visit.
Loved this race!
Was so impressed by the production of the race! From the packet pickup at the expo to the course to the finish line & everything in between. They let me … MORE
Was so impressed by the production of the race! From the packet pickup at the expo to the course to the finish line & everything in between. They let me exchange my jacket for a smaller size at the expo!! (This never happens.) we stayed at the Doubletree using the marathon rate & it was an easy walk to both the start & from the finish. Loved the course & we had perfect running weather. Everyone was so friendly & I have never seen so much alcohol & snacks offered on the course by spectators. It was the perfect race & I would highly recommend it! But be warned there are a lot of hills … I’m from Pittsburgh so it as par for the course.
Great race but yeah... hills!
Plenty of hotel options close to the expo (which was nice) the start and the finish line. Race communication was great before the race, the volunteers on the course were … MORE
Plenty of hotel options close to the expo (which was nice) the start and the finish line. Race communication was great before the race, the volunteers on the course were amazing.
We ran through some very nice neighborhoods and the residents had table set up in their yard with all kind of offerings to runners. Which help make the hills not too bad, because those hills in the first 10k were bad. I would do this race again.
The organizers should be awarded
I have run roughly 50 different and the production of this race was above all the others. Starting with the expo/packet pickup, the process was quick and easy. The course … MORE
I have run roughly 50 different and the production of this race was above all the others. Starting with the expo/packet pickup, the process was quick and easy. The course was very well marked. In fact, I think there was some kind of signage for every single intersection of the race telling runners where to go. The finish line festival was a great location, in the Guthrie Green, which is in the Arts district of Tulsa. The medal was also unique in that it came with a stand, so it could be displayed on a shelf.