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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 61 to 71]

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J. B. from Houston, TX (5/4/2011) "Fun but Please Don't Merge the Half/Full Finish" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It's a nice course, particularly as it runs by the lake. Be careful of cars as this course isn't blocked off. The rainy conditions led to poor visibility by drivers. I was almost hit by a car exiting a parking lot and I saw a group of five almost get taken out in a major intersection. Those looking for a fast marathon time will need to account for merging with the half marathon walkers toward the end. Hypothetically you're in different lanes, but I found myself weaving in and out of walkers and occasionally running into them. Kudos for the organization of this race an easy expo, quick results, accurate splits, plenty of clocks on the course, good support (water/sports drinks/peanuts/GU), easy to register.
Jason Moran from St. Paul, MN (5/4/2011) "Just Awesome" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was truly an awesome marathon. The city, the runners, the volunteers and the spectators were so great. Hats off and much appreciation for the volunteers and spectators for braving the weather. Thank you organizers too. This truly is a special event and it should be on the must-do list. Run the event to remember what happened here and the lives that were and continue to be impacted. But also come to share in the celebration of life and all things good and positive. It is a top-notch event!
L. M. from Norman, OK (5/3/2011) "Fabulous community support on lovely course" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
L. R. from California (5/3/2011) "Great course & organization, awful weather" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
Kevin Francis from Temple, Texas (5/3/2011) "Thanks you to the volunteers and race staff" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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).
Gary Jones from Cedar Falls, Iowa (5/2/2011) "A great marathon on a cold and rainy day." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
M. M. from Oklahoma City, OK (5/2/2011) "Decent course, ho-hum organization" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 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.
T. C. from Liberty Lake, WA (5/2/2011) "Wonderful, Inspiring and Touching Marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
j. m. from mississippi (5/2/2011) "Wet, wild and windy" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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.
Kendall Black from Grand Prairie, TX (5/2/2011) "a run to remember in the rain and cold" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.

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