Marathon Winners Reflect On Community & The Meaning Behind The Race

The 24th Annual Run to Remember Memorial Marathon is officially in the books. Winners Korey Larson and Catherine Lisle joined News 9 to talk about placing first in the marathon.

“It’s really awesome to win. It's certainly something that I thought about in the work up to it, but you never really know what's gonna happen on the day,” Larson said. “I’m really glad that it worked out the way that I did and I was able to get the win.”

The weather for the marathon was not ideal. It was humid and damp following a day of severe weather in Oklahoma.

“Living in Oklahoma, you just learn to run in any conditions just because of the weather that we have,” Larson said. “I don't think I burned a whole lot of energy thinking about it, just taking a little bit extra water.”

Lisle has won five Oklahoma City marathons, but isn’t taking this win for granted.

“I really was focused on winning and desired that as the outcome, but knew the reality could be one side cramp and it's over,” Lisle said. “I think I was also ready to face that, that it could just not work out because of many reasons.”

Lisle was in the lead with some of her friends for most of the race.

“I would have been just as happy for my friends. It was so nice to start the line with them and know that it would hopefully be one of us at the end,” Lisle said.

The Oklahoma City Marathon is different from other races.

“When I go run another marathon, really the race is about me and my performance. This one, the whole focus of the race is about other people and other families and those who are not with us,” Lisle said. “You have a different outlook, and it really takes away the individual and just makes it about the whole city.”

Larson, who lives Oklahoma City, feels a connection to the community through the race.

“If you live here and you're in the running community, a big part of your year is marathon weekend because of what it celebrates, with not just the running community in Oklahoma City, but the greater community,” Larson said. “The humility that this race gives you because of the 168 people that you're running to honor. I think that's what really makes this special, and they are really what makes this event special.”