Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Reviews

  Pretty fast course with small hills

By BR about 2019

Review

This was my second marathon and I really enjoyed it. The course had some small hills but was still pretty fast overall. The spectators are enthusiastic and set a great atmosphere for the whole race. Plenty of water/fuel stops as well as restrooms throughout the whole course. The weather was perfect. It’s also for a great cause (celebrating lives lost in the OKC bombing and raising money for the memorial and museum) and you can tell the race means a lot to the city. I highly recommend this one.

  Great Community Participation

By BG about 2019

Review

Prior to the race start there are 168 seconds of silence to remember those who died in the bombing. Very touching and there are many signs along the route to remember the victims.

Race Tips

Corrals were big and not too crowded. They allowed 5 minutes between each corral start. There was a water station each mile along the course but many more available from locals or groups not officially at water stations. First Aid stations were also numerous and increased as we moved into the final half or so. Some of the workers may have been a little over zealous as they approached just about anyone who even slowed down. Better safe than sorry I guess. My only complaint is the finish line. All races finish along the last stretch which is about half a mile. I was trying to PB and found myself having to zig zag around walkers through this part. Seems like they could designate one side for full and the other side for half and 5K.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I heard some locals had trouble finding parking close to the start. I stayed at a hotel in the Bricktown area and was able to walk.

  

By MB about 2017

Review

Wind is always a factor. Spring weather is sometimes unpredictable. Great turnout. Lots of water stops.

Race Tips

Expect delays. First few miles and back half slow due to lots of slow runners and walkers.

  

By JB about 2017

Review

Well organized with plenty of water stops and aid. The entire city really comes together for this event supporting runners along the entire course. The first several miles have a lot of turns and are ran on narrow streets which makes it difficult to hit your splits if you are in the back starting out. They provide a bunch of pacing groups with pacing leaders who have ran the course several times.

Race Tips

I would recommend starting in corral A or B as it gets very crowded with slow runners and walkers at the back. This course is more hilly than you would expect. The Marathon course has about 700' of El. Gain. The Weather can do anything so if you're travelling be prepared for all types of weather. I've ran this 3 years in a row now and it can be hot and humid or cold and rainy, but it definitely will be windy!

  

By Anonymous about 2017

  

By Anonymous about 2017

  Weather permitting

By MH about 2016

Review

Race itself is very well done. Large number of runners is great, never a point in the race where I was alone. Support from race volunteers as well as spectators was second to none.

Down side, didn't like the course. Weather can be hot, cold, rainy, so plan for anything.

Race Tips

Plan for any type of weather.

  

By PW about 2016

Review

This is a very well organized race. Plenty of water stops, aid stations and bathrooms. There is tons of crowd support along the way, especially if you are running the 1/2 marathon. The finishers village is the best I have experienced with food and music for the runners. They have a large medical tent right off the finish line equipped with ice and plenty of staff on hand to provide you with any medical needs. This race includes the marathon, marathon relay, 1/2 marathon and 5K. It is a sea of people at the starting line and is very cramped. They do a good job separating out the corrals, but because of this the first several miles of the race is elbow to elbow with runners until the 1/2 marathoners split off around mile 7, therefore this isn't a race you will want to a PR!

Cons: The weather is totally unpredictable, but you can expect it to be windy. This is not a flat course. There is about 700' ft of elevation gain throughout. The last 5 miles is slightly uphill the entire way and you will most likely be running into a 15-25 mph wind. This is the most difficult section of the course which is not ideal for the last 6 miles in a marathon. Luckily there is tons of crowd support and water stops every mile to the finish.

Race Tips

Take the first several miles slower than goal pace. It is very cramped the first 7 miles and you will want to save some energy for the last 5 miles of the race which is a brutal uphill windy stretch.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive early to the start to take part in the OKC memorial ceremonies. It is very beautiful and emotional.

  

By TM about 2016

Review

Great Pacers and organization! Great course but can get hot and a tough prevailing headwind near the lake on the return.

Race Tips

The pace groups are awesome. Community support is great.

  

By TMB about 2016

Review

You can't best the atmosphere. This is truly running for a cause.

Race Tips

Pay close attention to the wind on race day. When we turned going south along Lake Hefner the wind was BRUTAL. My pace dropped 30-45sec/mile in that section.

  

By HL -Maniac # 12590 about 2016

Review

Really well run race - tremendous number of volunteers involved - water/powerade stations almost every mile - many giving out pretzels & oranges. Great spectator involvement throughout the course both cheering and giving out the typical things but also many giving very cold bottled water and some odd things like bacon. This is very much an entire city event and it shows - all of the hotels gave extended checkouts - great shuttle system to/from the race - they really have it going on. Race is a little more up and down that you might think but plenty manageable - just be aware that it is very windy in OKC - wind was out of the south today at about 25mph - race is a north south point to point race and it was tough getting back in. I will certainly run this race again.

  

By James about 2013

Review

Well organized. Great course and crowd support. I will definitely travel to OK to run this marathon again.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed down town. Easy to get to the expo and start.