This Weekend In OKC: Marathon, Festival Of The Arts, & More

Oklahoma City will be the backdrop for several events through the weekend attracting visitors from around the world.

Downtown will be the hub for most of the excitement.

Here are a few events you can attend this weekend!

OKC Festival Of The Arts

Festival of the Arts takes place at Bicentennial Park in downtown Oklahoma City from April 25 – 28, 2024, and is free to attend.  

The event stretches from Lee Ave east to City Hall, and from Colcord north to Couch Drive. 

Temporary street closures for the Festival of the Arts from April 12 to May 6 will affect traffic in downtown Oklahoma City.

The City of Oklahoma City said the festival takes place from April 25 through 28 in Bicentennial Park between the Civic Center Music Hall and City Hall.

The closures include:

1. Walker Avenue – Northbound from Colcord Drive to Robert S. Kerr Avenue. Southbound from Robert S. Kerr Avenue to Main Street. The Arts District Garage will be accessible from Walker Avenue and Latting Circle.
2. Lee Avenue: Northbound from Main Street to Couch Drive with alley access. Northbound and southbound lanes from Colcord Drive to Couch Drive.
3. Colcord Drive: Eastbound from Lee Avenue to Walker Avenue.
4. Couch Drive: Westbound from Walker Avenue to Lee Avenue. Eastbound to Hudson Avenue.

Related Coverage:

1. News 9 Sponsoring Creation Station At 2024 Festival Of The ArtsRoad Closures In OKC Ahead Of 58th Arts Festival
2. Several Downtown Oklahoma City Streets Temporarily Closed For Festival Of The Arts

Hours:

Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

OKC Memorial Marathon

The annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a fundraising event for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The event is attended by thousands of participants each year who Run to Remember those whose lives changed after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

The Memorial Museum is open throughout the weekend, and is free for those with a race bib.

“Our mission is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were killed and unite the world in hope. This is not just another marathon. It is a Run to Remember … and a race to show that we can each make a difference and change the world.” - Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

To learn more about the Run to Remember and the purpose of the Memorial Marathon, click here.

Related Coverage:

1. Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon: What You Need To Know
2. https://www.news9.com/runtoremember

The marathon has a multitude of events April 26-28.

The race weekend begins Friday with a Health and Fitness Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The expo will have live broadcasts, panels and is where official marathon apparel and packets are given out. Each registered runner must pick up their packet during the expo prior to their race.

The weekend ends after the full marathon at the finish line festival.

What Races Are A Part Of The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Weekend?

Marathon: Sunday, April 28 at 6:30 a.m.

Half-marathon: Sunday, April 28 at 6:30 a.m.

Relay: Sunday, April 28 at 6:30 a.m.

5K: Saturday, April 27 at 7 a.m.

Kids Marathon: Saturday, April 27 at 9 a.m.

Senior Marathon: Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m.

How Do I Register For The 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon?

People who wish to race in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon must register before the race. Once online registration is over, if the race is not full, late registration will be available at the Health and Fitness Expo.

Click here to register online for the marathon.

How Do I Volunteer With The 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon?

Volunteers will receive Loud City two tickets to an upcoming Thunder game and a volunteer t-shirt.

Click here to learn more about volunteering for the marathon.

Packet Pickup Information For Memorial Marathon Races

Packet pickup will be held at the Health and Fitness Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

Racers must pick up their packets before the day of their race. Those running on Saturday will have to pick up their race packets on Friday.

When picking up their packets, racers will need to present a photo ID and their bib number. Bib numbers will be sent in a confirmation email the Thursday before the race.

Where Can I Watch The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon?

Spectators can watch the race from many locations along the map. Below is a list of top watching locations:

1. Starting line - near the Memorial Museum
2. Bricktown
3. Lincoln Terrace and Nichols Court Park - Northeast 18th Street and Culbertson
4. Crown Heights, Gorilla Hill and Irish Alley - 38th Street and Shartel
5. The Village and Waverly Avenue - Between Wilshire and Britton
6. Nichols Hills and Grand Boulevard - Nichols Hills Plaza
7. Lakehurst - Drakestone Avenue and Lakehurst Drive
8. Classen Boulevard - Between 63rd Street and 50th Street
9. Mesta Park - 18th Street and Classen
10. Finish Line

Check out the race map for exact locations.

What Is The Weather Typically Like On Race Day?

Oklahoma's weather come late April could be warm, cool, or cold. Just a few years ago, the Marathon was run as sleet fell. Participants should be prepared for anything because the race will go on no matter what, unless conditions present an imminent danger. To stay up to date with local weather, download the News 9 news and weather apps, and turn on notifications.

What Can I Leave At Gear Check For The Marathon?

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon provides a gear check back when racers pick up their packets. This is the only bag racers are allowed to check.

Gear check is closed at 1 p.m. on race day. All bags must be picked up before that time. All lost-and-found items will be located at the gear check booth. Discarded items will be donated to local shelters.

It is recommended that valuables, such as electronics and jewelry are left at home. The marathon is not responsible for lost or stolen property, including gear check items.

How Can I Qualify For The Boston Marathon?

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. The Memorial Marathon sends a list of finishers to the Boston Athletic Association within a week after the race.

When registering for the Boston Marathon, include your finishing time, finishing place, race name, location and date, in the “Qualified Information” section. Make sure to indicate if your entered time is gun time or tag time.

The Boston Athletic Association will verify entered information.

U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Olympic dreams are on the line this weekend in Downtown Oklahoma City.

Kayaking and Canoe competitors will be battling for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

The competitions will be on April 26 and April 27 and will end with the team U.S.A's announcement celebration on Saturday night. 

It'll be a busy weekend downtown with the Memorial Marathon, and the Festival of the Arts happening as well. There will be some closures, so be prepared for detours. 

Related Coverage:

1. Project Thorpe: Inside Oklahoma City’s Negotiations With LA 2028 Olympics
2. Be A Part Of The Olympic Experience: Competitors Prepare …
3. Riversport OKC Prepares For 2024 Olympic Team Trials In …
4. 2024 Olympic Trials To Be Held In Oklahoma City For Two …

The competition begins Friday morning with the canoe and kayak slalom qualifiers from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then, the finals will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Later on Saturday, guests can watch the kayak cross competition and finals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Adam Wisniewski, the vice president of sports development for Visit OKC, said it will be an exciting time.

"I think the exciting thing is it just speaks to the validity and the credibility of everything that's going on out at Riversport OKC," Wisniewski said.

The trials are open to the public and free to attend.

Guests will also have the opportunity to try out the sports for free through the Olympic Experience.

OKC Thunder Game- Sat. Aril 27

Scissortail Park Plaza is having 'Thunder UP in the Park' before every home playoff game. Enjoy music, games, face painting, the Michelob ULTRA Beer Garden and more!

Plus, only available at Thunder UP in the Park - earn your chance to win* a pair of tickets to the game by taking on the Thunder Ticket Challenge presented by Simple Modern. Complete the challenge before time expires for your chance to win! 

Activities are free, open to the public and starts a few hours before the Thunder hits the court. 

The OKC Thunder are playing at 2:30 p.m.

Click here for ticket prices.

OKC Better Barrel Races World Finals Competition

April 22, 2024 - April 28, 2024

Price: FREE

Better Barrel Races brings their World Finals competition to the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City for four days of hard-hitting barrel racing action.

The competition is fierce as each rider/horse pairing attempts to be as precise, fast and perfect as possible to win prize money. A champion will be named in categories from 1D to 5D.

Come see amateurs and professionals put it all on the line at the Better Barrel Races World Finals.