The Run to Remember certainly lives up to its name! As a veteran of 10 marathons, I can attest to the unbelievable community support this race has to offer. The volunteers and spectators lining the course make this marathon a pleasure to run. The proceeds help support the Memorial and there is a solemnity that surrounds the event. Whether you are a native Oklahoman or not, you feel the memory of the victims throughout the weekend. This year, the weather was miserable! Cold, windy, rain, even hail! Yet the spectators and volunteers were still there every step of the way. Water stops were fully stocked w/ powerade, water and usually fruit and pretzels. The course has a few hills, but winds through many different sections of OKC. The locals camp out in their driveways and shout encouragement the entire time. I never felt 'alone' out there, even though the weather was dreadful. The only 'wild card' about this race is the wind. Spring weather in OKC is very unpredictable, so be prepared for wind to be a potential challenge. I definitely recommend this race for someone looking for a lovely course, lots of spectator support and a fantastic cause to run for.

This is a meaningful marathon memorializing a tragic event. The organization is excellent and the course quite scenic. Oklahoma weather is typically unpredictable, and this year the marathon fell on the one bad day surrounded by 2 weeks of good weather. During the run, it rained constantly, with intermittant hail, lightning and freezing wind. Yet, despite a bit of hypothermia, most spirits were not dampened. I'll definitely come again.

This was the third time I've run the OKC Memorial Marathon. The weather was beyond lousy this year: Rain, sleet, hail, wind, and very, very cold temps. Even through all of this the volunteers and staff at the race were EXCEPTIONAL! I at least was running and stayed mostly shiver-free until I stopped for a breather or potty break. The volunteers at the water stops stood there through it all. THANK YOU! Especially since I was close to the back of the pack. Unfortunately I only made it to 17 miles before it was "strongly suggested" that I stop due to worse weather coming in. (So no finisher medal/shirt this year. Still a great cause.) I will run this race again next year (unless the weather is close to this year's level).

It was the coldest, wettest marathon I have ever run but it was also the race that made the greatest impact on me. A great course, incredible volunteers and inspiration every step of the way. Never thought I would run in hail during a marathon, but it was worth it to support the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum.

I ran the 2011 OKC Marathon. The weather was a bit nasty (40 degrees, rainy, 20 mph winds), but the real difficulty with this race was the lack of foresight by the planners.

For example, the longest and arguably toughest stretch of this course takes you south along Classen, a boring thoroughfare, running beside on-coming traffic (all but one lane of traffic was still open). Also, upon completion, there was no real receiving area for finishers. Imagine 25,000 runners, soaked to the bone, shivering amidst icy rain and even hail pelting down, and no where to seek shelter. Additionally, the recovery food included a cold nasty hamburgerprobably not the best thing to hand a person who's just run 26.2 miles.

Aside from the lack-luster planning, the race was great (despite the weather). The crowd support was good (again, considering the weather) and the participants all seemed to understand that this run was in honor of the 168 victims of the OKC bombing; any marathon is bound to be special, but that knowledge just gives extra significance to this event. Hopefully better logistics (a receiving area for finishers to stretch, eat some snacks, get warmed up, and change clothes) and possibly rerouting to avoid large highways will make this the top-notch race it should be.

In a nutshell, everything that the race director could control was wonderful (course aid, course, organization, transportation...).

The weather was horrible, but the RD couldn't control it. They did take safety precautions for the runners.

What I liked most was the "Oklahoma Spirit" evident throughout the whole weekend. It was such a wonderful event.

Had great fun and ran a PR. I read "hilly," but really, they barely qualify as rolling. The course was very nice; it surprised me, running mostly through nice neighborhoods and a park, and by Lake Hefner. The weather... OY! Rain, hail and at start in 50s as race went on dropped to 40s. I was soaked by mile 3. Only real complaint: few if any spectators, but considering weather was not really that shocking.

I have many fond memories of running the OKC marathon, but this year was not one of them. Mother Nature conspired to treat the runners with an extra helping of hardship. We were deluged with precipitation. I don't think I have ever felt so miserable running a race. Thank goodness for the church near the memorial which opens its doors to the runners. This year we really depended on their kindness. You never know what kind of weather you will get on race morning. This was one of those days you hope will not happen again.

2011 will be a race that the participants always remember - running through a thunderstorm, hail, pooled water on Classen Ave., temperatures dipping to 39 by the end of the race. But through it all, hardy spectators and volunteers were a testament to the organization and community support. As tough as 26.2 was under those conditions (and a PR would have been basically impossible!), the logistics were fantastic. One can't help but wonder if the course couldn't incorporate more of the city, however.

This race is too big to not have a wave start with more corrals. Until mile 7, this race was just jam packed. I think the rain and lightning contributed to the confusion at the beginning, but next year, let's have more corrals and implement the wave start. Food at the end was the BEST I have ever experienced. Kudos to them!!!