Despite Injury, Oklahoma Woman Showing Up To Support Memorial Marathon Runners

As the weekend of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon finally arrives, Oklahomans are Running to Remember the 168 lives lost on Apr. 19, 1995.

One person remembering their loved ones is Sara Sweet, whose father was killed on the first floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Sweet was a senior at Oklahoma State University when her father, Steve Williams, was killed, but Sweet said the city’s support on race day means the world to those who lost loved ones.

"Hearing people out cheering, what it says to me is that they want this race," Sweet said. "This race doesn't just mean something just to us family members, but to our whole city."

Sweet said her family were never runners themselves, but took on the challenge when the races first started in 2001.

Sweet said she remembers one year she ran when the weather was brutal, but seeing her father’s name on a bib made it meaningful.

"I saw a lady in front of me wearing my dad's name," Sweet said. "I don't know who she was, it just gave me that little bit of energy to finish."

Due to an injury, Sweet will not be running this year's marathon, but will be cheering on her children who are running the relay in honor of their grandfather.