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May 19, 2024

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 330 [displaying comments 101 to 111]

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J. L. from West Texas (4/25/2010) "A great race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Expect wind when you run a marathon in Oklahoma in the spring. But this year, it was only(!) about 20 mph, and it gave marathoners a tailwind coming home. But the temp was good this year, so it was bearable. There are hills on this course, including several good ones after mile 22. The course is scenic, crowds are good, and the race is very well run. The 168 seconds of silence before the race start are poignant, and it's a great way to remember those who lost their lives.
T. O. from Tahlequah, OK (11/1/2009) "A great race" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon and I loved it! The wind was brutal at 25-30 mph, but the crowds cheering along the way made up for that. I live in Oklahoma, so the temps and humidity were no big deal. The course was scenic enough, if you have the energy to enjoy it. The finish was great, a straight shot with a lot of spectators even after over four hours. Plenty of water and aid stations; good traffic control. The only negative: the shuttle bus from the hotel. DO NOT COUNT ON THEM SHOWING UP! We ended up driving in and just making it in time to start after waiting over 45 minutes for a shuttle.
Mick Stamm from Abilene, Texas (7/27/2009) "Oklahoma City Marathon - "A Run to Remember!"" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This run was billed as "A Run to Remember," and indeed, it lived up to its name. This was my third marathon. The weather was the greatest challenge of the event, making the run one in which the participants had to work every step of the way. Thank you to the volunteers all along the course, the workers at the expo, the organizers, and the people behind the scenes who made this marathon work. Also, thanks to the massage therapists at the finish line. Thank you for the straight line view of the finish line; as a participant, I enjoy seeing the goal, which we all work so hard toward. Thank you for your efforts to clear the finish line of all people standing and milling around for whatever their reason so that the runners could continue coming in in a safe manner for themselves and for those who were hanging around in front of the finish line and chute. Pax, amor and keep up the good work!
M. J. from OKC (7/2/2009) "Rude relay teams create anticlimactic finish" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 3 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a tough year to run the OKC Marathon! The humidity and wind made it miserable. I was most disappointed by the finish line situation. I've finished this race two other years, and the reason I've come back each time was because of the "Big Finish." I train for months, and when the training runs get difficult, I think about the rush I get when finishing a marathon. There is nothing better than sprinting into the finish line, arms raised, to the cheers of your friends and family. This year was different. Many relay teams didn't observe the barricades. The four members of the relay that had already finished their leg stood waiting in the finish lane. When I finished, there were at least 75-100 people littering up the lane looking for their team member... so they could have a big team finish. (My family said it all started with one team... and you know how that goes.) Security was no help. They talked to security, and the security guards told team members that they needed to get behind the barricades. They told the officers, "Oh... we're with a relay team." The security guards were satisfied with their explanation. Why have barricades if you aren't going to keep people behind them? Many families then began jumping the barricades too; "If you can't beat them, join them!" became the theme. As stated before... this was a difficult race and the finish was anticlimactic at best. My family was behind the barricade... and I never saw them and they didn't see me until I had already run by. There were many other families that couldn't see their loved ones over the heads of people inside the barricades. This was very frustrating. Common courtesy, people! If you want to run in with your team... meet them four blocks up the road where you won't obstruct the view of the other spectators. I would like to see the race directors make a policy about the relay teams finishing with their 5th leg relay member. They got by with it this year, and probably think it is acceptable behavior. My guess is that the tradition will continue. Relay teams shouldn't get a big finish at the expense of a marathon runner who completed the entire 26.2 single-handedly.
d. b. from frisco tx (5/22/2009) "Humid and VERY WINDY" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 It's too late in the year to hold a marathon in Oklahoma City. It was warm and humid, with and average WIND speed of 25 mph, and gusts of 40 in your face for the last half. There was not one rock band during the entire race. The worst part was finishing only to get no medal or finisher shirt. I'm still waiting a month later for both, though they say that they've been mailed. I will never run this marathon again.
M. W. from Gainesville, FL (5/12/2009) "Great and fitting memorial race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was one of the marathoners who was disappointed in not getting a medal after crossing the finish line of this otherwise great race. But the two race directors were just wonderful about resolving the problem - within a day or two, they had a link on the website for folks to submit their medal request, and yesterday I received mine in the mail. Everything else was fine - the course was well-marked, there were lots of aid stations and varied sights along the course, and the volunteers were helpful. The wind was strong and intense, but I guess that is typical Oklahoma weather. The Memorial was a fitting tribute to the folks who lost their lives, and running in honor of one of the victims was a highlight for me. The church across the street from the Memorial even held a special service for marathoners with a "blessing of the shoes" the eve before the race, and a pancake breakfast the morning of. I stayed at the Skirvin Hilton and was in walking distance of just about everything. Thanks to the people of Oklahoma City, especially the volunteers and the race directors, for making this such a good experience all round.
Katrina Fontanet from Melbourne, Florida (5/5/2009) "OKC Sets a Very High Standard" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I second Rui G.'s comments (NYC) and would like to add these items: Expo: We were there from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday and found it sufficient and quick. We were surprised to see the lines out the doors when we left, but the staff had clickers to count people out. Or how about setting up the registration/shirt tables outside the hall? There was lots of room there! Pasta Dinner: Nice guitar music... very fitting for the venue. The volunteers were amazing, always taking our empty plates and running back to get us items. Very polite - children and adults. Races: I did the 4:30 a.m. start. Great company. Highly recommend for those who'll do 5+ hours out there! My husband did the 6:30 start and raved about the pancake breakfast at First Church. Nice to see the relay runners well-marked (back bibs). Signage was excellent around the relay stations. I walked the windiest sections. Garden hoses, misters, and cold sponges showed a lot of forethought. Orange slices dried out due to the wind. Oh well, nice idea! There were four first-aid stations over the last 5 miles. Oh, the music played was loud and energizing! Finish Line: I heard my name. Cool. No problems with getting my chip removed, or getting my medal or cheeseburger! It's set up like an assembly line. Post-Race: AWESOME massages at First Church. Thank you!! If I had any complaints, they were totally muted by people like Gilbert Tuhabonye, Amy Palmiero-Winters, Terry from Ellerbee Springs '06 who'd just had an aortic valve replacement, and the soldiers in full gear with rucksacks! Amazing, amazing, amazing volunteers!!
T. H. from Huntington Beach, CA (5/5/2009) "Loved the people; will definitely do this again." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The volunteers and spectators were wonderful. I have never had so many volunteers thank ME for running their race. The hospitality and graciousness of the volunteers and race officials was amazing. Spectators were very encouraging. The OKC Memorial, the 168 chairs, and the reason for the marathon are so gripping. And the river-walk area of OKC was fun! Add this to your "must do" list of marathons.
g. c. from lincoln ne (5/4/2009) "VERY WELL ORGANIZED EVENT" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon is well suited for the veteran as well as the first-timer. Relatively flat course with a couple of climbs just for fun. Plenty of liquid at every water station and there are ample stations along the way even on a warm, humid day. No waiting for the pre-race restroom call, and a good finisher's area made for good bookends for a very well run event. If you haven't run this race, I highly recommend it. The emotion surrounding the event and the memorial cannot be framed in words. You have to be here to understand.
David Latham from San Francisco, CA (5/4/2009) "A Truly Inspiring Run" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is not your typical marathon in that it is not really about you, but instead about running to honor 168 innocent lives lost. The prayer service at 5:30 a.m. was inspiring, and it set the tone for the run to come (I know it's early, but it was well worth getting up for). Beforehand, go to the church across the street for free pancakes and coffee. Organization was fine, and I found no chaos at the start; it went smoothly. Each of the 168 banners across the course has the name of one of the victims, and when the going gets tough, these are very inspiring and keep you going. Water stops were well stocked and the volunteers were great; they are very thankful that you came to run their race. Be sure to take in the memorial and museum; they are well worth it. The course was windy on the back end, but I take the weather as it comes and deal with it. I will do this race again. Thanks again, OKC, for a great time.

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