What You Need To Know Ahead Of The OKC Memorial Marathon

The 21st Oklahoma City Memorial Run To Remember Marathon is kicking off this weekend, and it’s going to look a little different this year. 

Race officials capped the marathon at 12,000 runners which is 50% of 2019’s participants. 

Runners have to provide proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test to participate. 

Read: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Issues COVID-19 Protocols For 2021 Race

The races will take place over two days instead of one as a precaution to spread out the runners. 

“We’re looking forward to having 12,000 people to run on the streets of OKC, The Village, and Nichols Hills. Trucks are pulling in, it’s a busy place today, we’re loading up. It’s a busy week, we’re ready to marathon,” said Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Executive Director. 

Check in starts on Friday at the new Oklahoma City convention center.

Saturday— the 5K and Kids Race start early— this is one of the COVID related precautions.

Sunday — the marathon takes off at 6:30 but runners will go in waves to keep some distancing in place. 

The course snakes through the metro area, through Crown Heights and Nichols Hills, and back toward downtown, ending at the newly completed Scissortail Park. 

“Everyone finishes at the same finish line in Scissortail Park. We’ll have a party in the park, people can spread out and be outside, and just celebrate life,” said Watkins. 

Pay attention to road closures this weekend.

There’s a lot of people coming to town to watch — 50,000 are expected. 

Even with the changes, organizers said the race will be just as special as ever. 

“It will be every bit as meaningful. You will not be shoulder to shoulder, those days are likely gone for a while, but we will make sure the race stands for and continues to meet the same mission it met, the last time we ran the race,” she said.