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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 330 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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Gale Watkins from Phoenix, Arizona
(4/30/2012)
"A race unlike any other" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The community support for this race is amazing. I was thoroughly impressed with the strong emphasis on remembering what happened in OKC in 1995. I attended the pre-race service, led by the pastor of the nearby Methodist Church, which was excellent. The volunteers and the residents whose neighborhoods were on the route were enthusiastic. The race is very well organized (e.g., the early morning bus from hotels to the start) and very affordable. The only variable is the weather. We had humidity and then rain. | |
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a. s. from Dallas, TX
(4/30/2012)
"Great Race - Unorganized Start" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I truly enjoyed this race even though it was much harder than I remembered it from 7 years ago. There are a lot of rolling hills, but overall the course is very pretty and there is lots to look at while you are running. Start was unorganized at best. Half and full marathon start together. There are only three corrals and nobody seems to mind which corral or which pace group they are supposed to be in. I lined up in the 8 min mile group and had to dodge walkers and groups running five wide and going 12 min mile pace for the first two miles. The B corral had the entrance in the front and people just did not want to force their way through the crowds to the slower pace groups. I would split the half and the full marathon starts and open the corrals from the back rather than the front. Apart from that it was a very nice race and I hope to do it again in the future. | |
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D. B. from Oklahoma
(4/29/2012)
"My first full marathon!" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the half here twice (2007/2008) and when I decided to undertake a full, I knew this was the place. The opening (168 seconds of silence) and crowd support were always excellent for the half and knowing the start/end of the course would be helpful for the full. The race has grown A LOT since 2008 and the corral start is better organized/spaced out. It took about 9 minutes to get to the start. The race was VERY crowded but I was able to run without tripping over people. After the split (~7 miles) it was even better. The weather is always the biggest question at OKC and it was high 60's and HOT at the start. We got rain about mile 10 and that was awesome and it remained cloudy until mile 25. The crowds are awesome. I had TONS of people call me by name (on the bib) and offer support. The food supplies (on the course and at the finish) were great. The medal is great and the finisher's t-shirt is my new favorite shirt. I may not take it off all week. Classen is always busy and LONG but the overall course is good, very few hills (mainly overpasses) and if the weather is right, this is a great course. I will always hold a special place in my heart for my first full (also my first half) location. Finished 28/118 in my age group (old) so I was THRILLED! | |
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Bret Simmons from Reno, NV
(4/29/2012)
"Great event, tough conditions" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a great event. Seeing the memorial and honoring those that perished makes this marathon a must. The organization was exceptional. The expo was well staffed with volunteers and there were signs and 'feet' on the floor guiding you to your next stop. The goodie bag was 'virtual', so you had to make sure to ask for your bag check when you picked up your shirt. I had to go back for mine since the volunteer that gave me my shirt did not offer me a bag. Organization at the hotel was the best I have ever seen. There was a sign in the lobby the night before the race detailing when and where to catch the shuttle. The hotel staff all wore shirts supporting the race. The morning of the run there were drinks and snacks ready in the lobby for runners and the shuttle was almost right on time. Very impressive. The morning of the race was also very well done. Race corrals were easily accessible and the start was on time. Was great to have to pass by the memorial to get to the corral, and the morning service was a big plus. Bag check was a little far away, but not too bad. Plenty of port-o-johns at the start. Course was fine, but the weather was brutal. Be aware that OKC is warm and humid, which kicked my butt. The rain was a mixed blessing - cooled things down and hid the sun but hard on the feet. LOTS of aid stations - all well supplied and staffed. Finish was also smooth. Well staffed, easy to get your finisher shirt and checked bag. Plenty of food and drink. Overall a class event. Very glad I ran it, highly recommend it. The only reason I won't return is the hot and humid conditions in OKC. | |
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T. S. from Seattle, WA
(1/9/2012)
"A great Memorial tribute" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My 27th marathon and 22nd state. I knew of the tragedy that occurred in April 1995 here, but never felt the personal impact that had affected so many that lost family or friends in this horrific event. My visit to Oklahoma City changed all that. I arrived a few days early to take in the city and the Memorial Museum. I'm glad I did as it gave meaning to the event and my time spent in Oklahoma City. I highly recommend you do the same. As mentioned this is a running 'event' with proceeds going to support the Museum and Memorial. As with most of these bigger events the common start ends up being a congested mess as some line-up believing they are going to walk at a 7 minute/mile pace. It took several miles to weave through the mass. The finish also joins back with the half so you will most likely be finishing amongst groups of walkers. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it does distract from the marathon finish experience. It's a nice course, great support and the fans that were out on a very rainy day were the best. Given the cause that this event supports it is difficult to not enjoy and appreciate just being able to participate. | |
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B. D. from Wichita Falls, TX
(6/24/2011)
"Great experience in OKC!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The day before the race was clear and sunny...go figure! Enough about the nasty weather the day of the race has been said already, but it my opinion, the weather is what made my experience so enjoyable. Despite the rain/lightning/hail, the legions of volunteers were not deterred in the least. There were plenty of fully-staffed aid stations along the entire course, and the finish line food (fruit, pretzels, hamburgers, and giant bowls of chocolate cookies!) was the best I have encountered in my relatively limited marathon resume. I thoroughly enjoyed the loop-style course, which passed through beautiful neighborhoods and parks...I especially liked Gorilla Hill! My only complaint (which I believe falls under the heading of race etiquette) is there were multiple groups of people walking the course, especially in the first 6-8 miles, and they chose to walk shoulder-to-shoulder right in the middle of the street, creating choke-points which caused most all of the runners to slow down considerably until they could get by. Perhaps walkers could do so along the sides and not right in the middle? Futhermore, most were not wearing bib numbers and/or the timing chips, so I question whether they were even registered participants. But again, this is difficult to control and I don't hold the organizers responsible. The warm and friendly people of OKC made this a great race, one that I will absolutely run again. Well done OKC, and thank you for the first-class hospitality! | |
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J. A. from Wylie, Texas
(5/20/2011)
"Great race, great cause, hail of a great time!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Coldest, windiest, rainiest event that I have ever done in the middle of thunderstorms and flash flooding. All that notwithstanding, I still had a fantastic time! OKC takes this event to heart, and the volunteers for the event really make sure you know it. As crazy as it was on the course for us runners, the volunteers (and even a few crazy spectators) were always close at hand to keep this event from being anything forgettable. Even with the weather, I would run this one again. It was that much fun! | |
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J. N. from Vander, NC
(5/17/2011)
"Great organization, just a skeptical start." (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The cause to this marathon is what makes it so awesome. The people of OKC are the best. I had the best welcoming I ever had. This is the first race that I have seen a shuttle ride of the route. That made a huge difference of knowing what to expect and where. The weather was horrible, no fault on them. Rain the entire race (I didn't know that was possible), 30 MPH constant wind, temp dropped from 60 degrees down to 43. The spectators are very supportive, the expo is the best I've seen (8 total), there were even double cheeseburgers given out to finishers from Carl Jr's (Hardees). The support from the entire city really makes this race so special.... the weather change really hurt. All and all, it was my 8th marathon, and my first run in miserable weather. You cannot plan around the weather... This storm came out of nowhere. I am now convinced that all T-storms originate in Oklahoma. | |
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A. S. from Oklahoma City, OK
(5/17/2011)
"OKC 2K11 Marathon" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, this was a cold and wet race. First Marathon I've run in these type of conditions and hopefully my last. The race started 30 minutes late due to lightning weather delays. Overall the course was very nice and the support was surprisingly not deterred by the weather. Very well put together race, loved the service of dropping off my clothes before hand and having them available right there near the finish line. Porta Johns were everywhere even on the course, which was extremely nice. Biggest spot for improvement I saw were a few locations support staff were standing on the wrong side of the road not blocking the turns and I couldn't see anyone in front of me, to know which direction to go. Also it would have been nice to have at least one area that had gu or some sort of sustenance before mile 18, say around mile 10. I knew this going in as it was on the pamphlet, but it was still rough. That being said there were quite a few water and powerade stations and they were great. Near the end 21-24 miles were pretty rough too having to try and dodge around people walking the half. Although there were two lanes that appeared to be open the one on the right seemed to have traffic in it and if it was designated for marathoners there was no indication of it until after mile 24 and a support staffer was yelling marathoners on the right. If it was supposed to be split that whole way a big sign or something would have been great or even just someone yelling it out. I do plan on coming back to this race next year, I just hope the weather is better as it was a very nice fun marathon less the cold wet conditions. | |
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L. P. from Dallas
(5/7/2011)
"Love OKC people" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 2011. Rain, cold, lightning, hail, wind and more rain. And yet every volunteer table was fully staffed at every stop the whole way (and I am a super slow marathoner). Very organized experience. I like the location of the expo because I found a great Mexican restaurant in Bricktown for the pre-marathon dinner. We stayed in Moore so that husband could go to the casinos in Norman when I went to bed early on Saturday night. |
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