The 25th Anniversary run of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, commemorated a quarter-century of honoring those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. With a record-setting 26,000 registrations across six races, the leaderboard welcomed returning champions and first-time winners in this historic event. It was a repeat for Men’s Marathon winner, Al Maeder, of Oklahoma City, with a 2:26:56 victory – Al’s second Marathon win in three years. It was a first Memorial Marathon win for Ashley Carreon, of Moore, Oklahoma, breaking the tape at 2:56:35.
“The Oklahoma City community and those from around the world come together to celebrate life every April. The Run to Remember reminds us A Day of Darkness turned into Years of Light in our city,” said Kari Watkins, race director. “Every runner, volunteer and person cheering, shines that light – from honoring those who were killed with 168 seconds of silence at the Start Line to the excitement, joy and tears of victory at the Finish Line.”
New this year for the 25th anniversary, the sold-out Quarter Marathon was run individually or as a team. The teams also competed against Oklahoma Governor, Kevin Stitt, in the “Can You Beat the Gov?” annual challenge. Four of the Marathon’s six races were early sell-outs.
Kathleen Titus, president of the Running USA Board of Directors, along with running legends, Meb Keflezighi, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Deena Kastor, Dakotah Popehn, Marko Cheseto, Dick Beardsley and Bill Rodgers participated in the 5K and Quarter Marathon races and panels throughout the Health & Fitness Expo. “If you want to check out a race, you need to come here and check this race out. I’ve traveled all over the world, 115 races throughout my time and this is definitely something you want to see. It’s something special,” said Kathleen Titus, Running USA board president.