10 minute read
Running United
For the fi rst time in two and half years, we will be running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in person! The annual Run to Remember brings thousands from across the nation and more than a dozen countries to pause and remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever on April 19, 1995. This race still marks a painful memory for some, a distant one for others, a sign of courage and a chance to learn and grow for all. As participants run the course, they pass the names and faces of the 168 individuals killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. During this extraordinary weekend, 26.2 miles becomes a race surrounded by people and a celebration of life that continues to share and exemplify the Oklahoma Standard. In 2020, the Marathon pivoted to a virtual race to keep everyone safe and looked much different than years past. However, we are excited to fi nally be back in person and experience this momentous race weekend together. “What we’ve learned is that running together, and for something larger than ourselves, is an honor and something that we don’t take lightly anymore,” said Chuck Mikkelson, Memorial Marathon Training Chairman and former Landrunners President. “The Memorial Marathon is just that. We’ve been waiting two and half years to be back together and we fi nally have our chance!” We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from the running community as we navigated the everchanging environment of COVID-19. Several groups continued to train and encourage each other in preparation for the upcoming race. John Bivins, Half Marathoner, expressed his enthusiasm at a Memorial Marathon kick off training run. “Being with the running group again, I was crying like a baby
going down the street,” he said. “We’re family. We are a unit and the gathering here proves that.” The Memorial Marathon is working to provide the best possible experience for our participants while keeping safety at the forefront. “We’re watching the COVID-19 virus and variants closely. In general, we believe the Memorial Marathon can be done safely. Race Director Kari Watkins and myself are in constant evaluation of the latest news and suggested protocols. We encourage racers to social distance as much as possible, get vaccinated and mask up. Being an outdoor event, more spacious Start and Finish lines and safely pre-prepared food boxes, we’re confi dent this race weekend can still safely serve as a reminder for Why We Run,” said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU Health Chief COVID Offi cer. “COVID is real and numbers are climbing. However, there are ways in which we can continue on with the marathon and be safe and the Memorial Marathon staff is doing what they can to make this event as safe as possible for runners,” said OCCHD Epidemiologist Eddie Withers. The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is the largest fundraiser for the privately funded Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The Memorial and Museum were designed to remember, to teach, to offer inspiring stories and share lessons learned. More than 12 million people have visited the Memorial and Museum – they leave forever changed from their experience. Each runner receives a free entry to the Museum to experience the story race weekend.
LOOKING BACK, RUNNING FORWARD
Last year proved a memorable year. We commemorated two important dates – the 25th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and the 20th Anniversary of this race – conceived and created by three businessmen who wanted to bring a marathon to their hometown. The COVID-19 pandemic also provided challenge after challenge and we adapted together through the everchanging environment. The 2020 virtual Marathon looked much different than years past, but nevertheless was an unforgettable experience that many embraced, both near and far! Over 13,888 runners participated in the virtual race. Runners picked a day and time between October 4 – 18, 2020, mapped out their runs and tracked their miles. Runners were encouraged to fi nd a course meaningful to them and that reminded them why they #RUNtoREMEMBER. The Marathon hosts individuals from around the world and it was incredible to witness it travel globally as people participated virtually with their own Start and Finish Lines, representing all 50 states and 8 countries. In order to symbolize the commitment and dedication to the Marathon and Memorial, 168 empty running shoes lined the “Start Line” in Oklahoma City. These shoes were used to honor those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever on April 19, 1995. These shoes were later donated to Cleats for Kids, a nonprofi t that equips and empowers kids through sports. The Memorial Kids Marathon has partnered with Cleats for Kids and has outfi tted more than 400 runners with new shoes and socks. Although there was no single offi cial winner, all 13,888 who completed the virtual challenge were deemed winners.
MARATHON PREPARATION WITH BART YASSO
While the virtual run was fun, we are excited to run TOGETHER in person in
2021 after two and half years apart. To prepare for our return to the streets, Bart Yasso, known as the Mayor of Running and the retired Runner's World Chief Running Offi cer, helped kick off training in June. Yasso is the inventor of the Yasso 800s, a marathontraining schedule used by thousands around the world. He is one of the few people to have completed races on all seven continents from the Antarctica Marathon to the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon. In 1987, Yasso won the U.S. National Biathlon Long Course Championship and won the Smoky Mountain Marathon in 1998. He has also completed the Ironman fi ve times and the grueling Badwater 146 mile run through Death Valley. In addition, he has cycled, unsupported and by himself, across the country twice. Over a June weekend, Bart led a social and community long run training, both of which introduced portions of the 2021 new race course. The Sunset Social Run began at the Memorial Museum and ended at Social Capitol near the NEW Finish Line in Scissortail Park. The Community Long Run started and fi nished at the Memorial and ran portions of the new course during a brisk 5-mile run.
KIDS MARATHON RUN CLUB
Bart also helped prepare our younger athletes for the Kids Marathon race. The Kids Marathon Run Club hosted three different opportunities for kids to log their miles while receiving fun running tips and learning more about Why We Run! Celebrity guests included Kid Governor for Oklahoma Charlotte Anderson and Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Rumble the Bison. For the fi rst time ever, the race weekend schedule will be split between two days. The Kids Marathon will take place the Saturday prior to the Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay. We are excited for this change to allow more participants to run with their kids prior to the rest of the races on Sunday.
WEEKEND SERIES
This year we’re making it even easier to participate all weekend long! We are proud to introduce the WHY WE RUN Weekend Series, presented by the INASMUCH Foundation. This event provides an opportunity for runners to double their participation events AND impact! In the Series, runners will start with the 5K on Saturday and the Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday. In addition to the event shirt and medal for both races run, participants will also receive a Why We Run Series medal and shirt.
OKLAHOMA STANDARD CHALLENGE
The Oklahoma Standard Challenge is back and in-person this year! The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and the Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa have teamed up to represent the unity between the people in the great state of Oklahoma. Run the Marathon or Half Marathon in Oklahoma City, then run the Marathon or Half Marathon in Tulsa, and participants receive a special commemorative Oklahoma Standard medal at the Williams Route 66
21 YEARS OF RUNNING TO REMEMBER
Check out the virtual exhibit timeline online at okcMarathon.com/timeline.
2001
2011 2002
2012 2003
2013 2004
2014 2005
2015
Marathon Finish Line. Over the next three years, each medal will highlight one of the three tenets of the #OklahomaStandard – Service, Honor, and Kindness. This year, we focus on Service – on April 19, 1995, Oklahomans united in the face of the devastating Oklahoma City bombing, showing up to serve their community in any way they could. That spirit of generosity still lives in Oklahomans today, and we call it the Oklahoma Standard.
GOVERNOR’S RELAY CHALLENGE
For the third year in a row, Governor Kevin Stitt is challenging Oklahomans to beat his Relay team. Any Relay Team that signs up and participates will be automatically entered to compete against the Governor’s relay team. Any team’s overall time to beat Governor Stitt’s relay team will receive an “I Beat the Gov” running shirt that will be mailed to runners after October 3. Thank you to Hobby Lobby for sponsoring!
STRONGER THAN EVER
Typically, the Marathon takes place in April every year. However, with recommendations from the Memorial’s Come Back Team of community leaders, medical professionals, emergency management, fi rst responders, and in consultation with other major marathons, we decided to postpone the run to October. “Devon has been a proud sponsor of the marathon for 21 years and it holds a special place in our hearts. We’d happily support the marathon in any format, but are so pleased that this year we’ll be running together again as a collective group. Even though community service can be done remotely, our community spirit will best fl ourish when we’re together again,” Dave Hager, Devon Executive Chairman. “While the virtual race exceeded our expectations, we know how meaningful it is to all be together in person for the #RUNtoREMEMBER,” said Kari Watkins, Race Director. “This is not just another marathon, this is one of Oklahoma City’s signature events that brings our whole community together.” We are incredibly grateful to be running in person and we are honored to host so many talented runners across the world. In 2022, we plan on fi nally returning to our usual last weekend in April. This will provide a quick turnaround, but we know our runners are up for the challenge!
2021 NEW COURSES
Along with getting back to running together, we are excited to announce new race courses. Each course was enhanced to include new parts of the evergrowing Oklahoma City. You can experience the beauty of each community in Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, and The Village between all fi ve races.
New Courses Include
• Running into Northeast Oklahoma City • New neighborhoods • All four Relay Exchanges in Green Spaces • Wide Finish Line approach at the NEW Scissortail Park
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s mission is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were killed on April 19, 1995, and unite the world in hope. This is not just another marathon. It is a Run to Remember. This timeline refl ects the many years the Marathon has existed.
