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May 12, 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 41 to 51]

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J. E. from OKC (2/25/2013) "Marathon with Meaning" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had run the OKC Memorial half 3 times and 2012 was my first Full Marathon. The Good: This is a marathon that has incredible spiritual and sentimental meaning for us Oklahomans. I run for one of the day care workers, Brenda Stephens. She was my children's day care worker at two other centers and we followed her to the Murrah Bldg. I got a nanny two months prior so they were not there at the time of the bombing but knew some of the sweet children and caring workers who lost their lives. It is an honor to run this marathon for those who can not. It is a moving experience and I highly recommend it for Marathon Virgins and runners in general. The meaning of this race is what keeps you going. The crowds are encouraging and I laughed at the guy with the bar set up for runners to 'do shots' if they so desired. I did not chose to participate, however. (haha). The hills aren't too bad. Only three places I dread (based on training runs with the okc landrunners) but none are too long. The bridge at the beginning, the bridge at lake Hefner, and the incline at the end of the marathon. Other than that it is a nice, fairly flat course. Now for the bad: I agree with others that the coral entrances are too few and far between. I HATE CLASSEN! The last stretch is a real kill joy. Very monotonous and the oriental garlic smelling food is not the best. (It is probably just me because this is where I get mentally fatigued.) Also, if you are from out of town I've heard to not count on the shuttles from the hotels to get you to the start on time (FYI). I would recommend taking a taxi. I'm sure they drop you off pretty close to the start and then you can catch a shuttle ride back to your hotel. Other than that and the unpredictable weather it is a wonderful marathon with meaning.
K. B. from Anderson, SC (11/8/2012) "What a moving (no pun intended) race" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was one of the most moving experiences racing or otherwise. I remember the bombing, but living in CT, was not personally affected by it. I cried during the moment of silence at the start of the race and seeing the victims names along the route was inspiring. The course was great, pretty flat. Gorilla Hill was nothing compared to what I trained on.
James Lehman from Coppell, TX at race date (now Switzerland) (5/20/2012) "OKC is well worth a first-time event" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 First time to run the 26.2 OKC was in 2012. The course is average for experienced runners, i.e. there are some monotonous stretches of road. Race organization was adequate. I entered my corral early but noticed limited access points could pose a problem as crowds would arrive later; there were fence hoppers just before the start. The 168 seconds of silence was moving emotionally. Bricktown is cool, OKC's image is revitalized over the past 20 years, I'd say. I was fortunate to be able to volunteer at the expo on Saturday before race. T-shirt pick-up was a mess at times over the six hours I worked people traffic control inside the building. That needs improvement next year. But the volunteer manager had a good sense of humor about it all. Speaking of shirts, some first-time runners might have been disappointed that the event shirt was cotton instead of technical material, but I didn't care. There were gels handed out on the coursethank you! Post race amenities were adequate (lots of yoghurt, fruit cups and a Carl's Jr burger was good enough for me), much better than Big D or Geneva. And post race volunteers were generous and friendly. If I'm living near OK next year I'll probably repeat this race but fly into Oklahoma City a little earlier to enjoy the town.
Clyde Shank from Plano, Texas (5/7/2012) "Outstanding race well organized great support" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 While this race had wonderful race organization, expo, course, support and outstanding spectators I have a very significant concern about the handling of the race start. Crowding 20k people into a blocked off street stretching down 4 blocks all corraled inside a 6' tall chain link fences with only 2 access points is a major safety hazard. If something caused this crowd of 20k participants to panic it would not be a pretty sight especially right in front of the Memorial. Easy access into and out of the start area is how people should be treated not corraled like cattle without regard to safety.
d. c. from La Habra, California (5/3/2012) "A memorable marathon to run and for a good cause" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The OKC Marathon was listed in Runners World Magazine as one of the 12 must do marathons. The Expo was not too crowded and well organized. It was relatively easy to get your shirt and goody bag. As for the marathon start itself, it went pretty smoothly for me. I started up as far as I could up front, so I was able to get off to a decent start and not have to run around the slower half marathoners because I knew a majority of them were going to be walking the course. I really did like the course. It was nice running through the Upper Class Neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Nichols and Heritage Hills and Mesta Park, as well as the bike trail alongside Lake Hefner. There was also plenty of food and drink after the you finish the marathon. I did not realize how significant this marathon was in the funding of the Memorial and Museum. There was 168 seconds of silence before the National Anthem was sung. 1 second for every person killed in the OKC Bombing. There were 168 banners hung on the street lights along the course with the names of the persons killed in the bombing. The marathon stresses the importance of healing time for the city of OKC. I'm was glad to be part of this great marathon. A very memorable marathon.
M- A-H from Colorado (5/3/2012) "Great for most, needs fixing for some" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 2nd time running this marathon, it's a great event that showcases the community and overcoming tragedy and adversity. Weather in OKC is often an issue: be prepared but don't let that, alone, deter you. The event is very friendly towards walkers and half-marathoners especially great first-time event, with lots of aid station support and crowds. Volunteers and supporters are fantastic! BUT...The race support for the front of the marathon is lacking, and although it has been discussed in previous years (see previous comments), it remains unaddressed. It needs to be addressed not only to improve the quality of the race, but before somebody gets seriously hurt. Specifically, the marathon merges again with the half marathon for ~4 of the last 5 miles. For somebody running <3 hours, including the leaders, this means you will pass 1000-2000 people (literally!). Options including weaving back and forth, or possibly going into oncoming car traffic. Aid/water in this last stretch is difficult because of the speed differential of going twice as fast as other participants, with people coming to a complete standstill at aid stations. This arrangement is both dangerous and highly unusual for a major marathon, when other races try to accomodate both beginners (where we all started) as well as people trying to do their best. It is hard for me to encourage faster runners, especially from out of town, to do this race until this problem is fixed (e.g. by dedicating a part of the lane, and aid, to marathoners), because the situation is currently both frustrating and dangerous. If this is a concern to you, I would think about it. If this does not apply to you, do not take my comments as a reflection on any other part of the non-racing aspect of the run, because it is otherwise a fantastic event from start to finish. If you haven't been to OKC, go check it out!
S. S. from SF, CA (5/2/2012) "Nice marathon to run" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This struck me as a 'just right' marathon. The course was not too hilly, not too flat, but just right. The spectators were not too many, not too few, but just right. The water stations were spaced at the right intervals and stocked with food at the later stations just when you needed it. The number of marathon participants was not too many to trip over, nor too few to feel like you were running alone. (Though it should be noted that, for the first 7 miles, the half marathoners and marathoners ran together, so it did get congested once or twice in that 7 miles, but that's all.) The start line was within easy walking distance of several nice hotels. BTW, the Colcord hotel is a hidden gem. This is a nice race for a first-time marathoner or for the seasoned veteran who just wants to get a marathon in. The OKC memorial is a must-see either before or after the race.
j. s. from nassau, bahamas (5/1/2012) "Captivating" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my 25th marathon and I am a walker. Not a race walker but a power walker. I was very glad that the marathon had the early start. It meant that by the time the runners or regular starters (the crowd) catch up to you between mile 13 and finish, you get the boost you need to propel you. Plus you get to enjoy the amenities and festivities that are usually all wrapped up when you finish. There were quite a few early starters. It was convenient to get to and from the marathon, the expo was small, but it had sufficient variety, the packet pickup and registration were easy and efficient. I thought the virtual race bag was good since it showed an environmental conscience. It was nice to connect the marathon with a purpose rather than just for commercial profit. would recommend for the 6 hour + marathoner. I think the organizer are doing and did a great job.
T. J. from Kansas City (5/1/2012) "All Around Great Marathon" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is an extremely well organized marathon. All of the volunteers were wonderful. It is abundantly clear that a large number of people went above and beyond to make this a good experience for all the runners. I enoyed the course and they did a good job segregating the half marathon from the full. Lots of attention to the details made this a great race.
B. L. from Houston TX (5/1/2012) "Hard to improve when it's great" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Started with the early bunch(4:30 A.M.) Official start with electronic measurement(s), air horn and traffic control. This was my 162nd marathon and my 27th marathon in the state of Oklahoma. The course was well marked, going through the State Capitol area and along part of Lake Hefner and returning through some beautiful neighborhoods. Water stations were set up at all the right spots with plenty of water, Gatorade, pretzels, oranges, bananas. One station at about 24 miles had mini-sized candy bars. The beautiful finish line area with plenty of food drinks, etc. I lost a colleague (a Vietnam vet) on the Tuesday prior to the marathon. This was for him. Thank You.

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