Oklahoma Marathon

These people truly care about runners. A small event with big heart and great volunteers. Money raised goes to a scholarship program. Double-loop, flat course.

I enjoyed this race. Not for the double out and back course, but for the organization, the ability to encourage other runners (those ahead and those behind), and the neat stuff you get just for being a 'finisher'. I've heard that this race won't happen anymore, but who believes everything they hear? Either way, I was glad to be able to have run it. It's a great way to start Thanksgiving week. . . run a marathon and then pig out!

I entered the Oklahoma Marathon as I delayed getting into Chicago and missed the cutoff for entry... oops. Talk about going from one extreme to the other. The size of the race really did not matter to me, but (obviously) this is the smallest race of any distance that I have done. I also was not concerned about the location. Tulsa, I knew, was a nice place for a race and there would be enough to do before and after to make the journey worth the effort. I really enjoyed the course; it was very flat, scenic, and the double out-and-back format made for predictable pacing. The wind was a slight issue, but I have been in races where it was more of a problem. The running surface, with the exception of a few bridges, was nice (slightly off the concrete it was grassy when your legs needed a break) and the lack of car traffic was even better. Support tables were well stocked and prepared with the exception of the first table where the bolus of runners following the start appeared to catch them off-guard forcing me (and others) to wait for what I/we needed. The spectators were really not there unless you brought them, but that's what I would have expected with a race of this size. My frustration with the race comes with what I (and I assume others) would try to get out of it. The finisher's medal was something I really won't show off; the low-resolution computer-generated images looked cheap. The finisher's shirt is something I am looking forward to as it includes names of finishers, but I've yet to receive this in the mail, so I am cautious. I'm still laughing at the rubber chicken (an idea I'm told was organized by some runners independent of the race to help celebrate another participant's birthday). The organization of the race was tolerable. I would have preferred them to be there in the morning, ready to go, an hour before the start to give the late-night arrivals a chance to get the race pack without delay, but this is nit-picking. Since families would be the only support for most racers, providing some sort of race map (the thing on-line was lacking) with good watching sites would have been a nice addition. The course was set up so that family members could stop at several parking areas as they followed the runner, but you would not know this unless you were from the area. Also some mention could have been made of play areas, neat scenic stops along the water, and restrooms. This would have made it easier to coordinate with family members and would have made the watching experience better for the spectators. More clocks would have been great, especially at the turn point. Also, the mile markers were confusing, but that was due to the lay out of the course. There was plenty of water/PowerAde, oranges, bananas, etc. at the end. I am glad I did not sign up for the post-race party as there seem to have been issues with this. Those are my two cents. I am curious about the new course that folks are discussing for next year. Would I come back? Not sure, as there are other fish to fry.