Back to Route 66 Marathon Information & Reviews
Summer Carter from Hillsboro, Oregon
(12/9/2022)
"Miles of smiles!!!" (about: 2022)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the Expo to the Finish Line, this was a well-run, fun event! It was a super COLD start, sub 30s. The earlier water stops provided slushies bc of the freezing temps- that was first for me and made me laugh. :D I had to layer up well bc the last hour was in the mid- low 40s. I wore shorts and calf sleeves- perfect choice- and 3 layers of long sleeves on top, which became 1 layer for the last 9mi. The course was SO great- I feared I would get bored on the long out-back x2, but it was AWESOME: on road then sidewalk/path, only a little repetitive, but seeing the other runners were a great distraction. We hardly ran on Route 66, but no loss there. I had heard that the hills at the end were removed- but THEY WERE NOT. I was quite hill-trained, and was not so happy on the up up up that seemed never-ending on tired legs! Miles 18-23 were the toughest, but then it flattened out again for a nice finish to the end. Crowd support was amazing, awesome finish line with plenty of BEER. My only complaint was there was no Gatorade to be found at the finish!!! :( Water stops were well stocked, but not the finish line. All in all, I highly recommend this race! Maniac support was so amazing, and the city of Tulsa offered such great views, nice people, and such a well organized event! I smiled SO much in this one! Just don't believe if you hear there aren't hills in this one....you will DEFINITELY feel those suckers towards the end! | |
T. S. from MA
(12/4/2021)
"Loved it!" (about: 2021)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was chilly and breezy, so just perfect for running. Although not a flat course, there are not really any hills, more like undulations. I was worried that the race would thin out after the half marathon mark but still a good number of runners the whole way. One road had a speed bump hazzard, be aware! I would have done the detour faster if I had known I was going to be ranked on it. Overall, I'm glad I picked route 66! | |
J. G. from OKC, OK
(11/24/2019)
"Never ending hills" (about: 2019)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Route 66 Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although this marathon is tough (I swear somehow more hills this year) it is well supported by the city. Well organized with volunteers and law enforcement galore. There are so many parties going on around you which helps give you a little pep when tired. Great job Tulsa! | |
C. L. from Washington, DC
(11/21/2018)
"Challenging course but still a party" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The hills are never ending here....a friend who has run this a few times (& over 80 marathons in her life) confirmed this is hillier than the Baltimore marathon. But not as bad as the GA marathon in Atlanta. Very well organized start and finish area. Well stocked official aid stations, never had to wait for a bathroom. It is a true party along the route with too many unofficial stops serving alcohol and treats to count. Nice medal. I loved the start, each corral had confetti shot out as they crossed the mat making us all feel like elite starters. I loved the jacket. This year the weather was not ideal, cold but also VERY windy at times. Still had a lot of spectators lining the route, bundled up. | |
I. R. from NJ
(11/19/2018)
"Lots of rolling hills and alcohol" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was a cold miserable day but that wasn't anyone's fault. There were probably less spectators as a result but the ones that were out there were ready to party. Lots of beer and shots. More than I have ever seen. Music blasting at the block parties. Ran through really pretty neighbor hoods. Lots of water and gatorade. Well run except for the shuttles!!! | |
A. G. from Washington, DC
(11/21/2017)
"Fun race, great course support!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The marathon was good - course relatively flat, some repeat scenery, and LOVE the Center of the Universe detour (with coin!). Fans thinned out a lot after the half course split off, but were spirited (more beer and jello shots offered per mile than any other race I've run). Water stops & port-a-potties were plentiful (at start and on course). Expo was decent (variety as expected for a big-name race), though low on signs to the location, parking, and inside the building. The race 'tee' (full zip jacket) is AWESOME, and nice looking medals. Definitely would recommend this race to a friend! | |
T. K. from Cincinnati, OH
(11/20/2017)
"Wish I had the TV series Corvette for the hills!" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Top 10 Reasons to Run Route 66 10 - Start Line - the most organized, hassle-free and non-chaotic Start Line I've experienced 9 - Native American ceremony before National Anthem - a distinct Oklahoma stamp on the race 8 - Confetti guns at Start Line - they make you feel like you're a hero in a ticker tape parade as you get showered with confetti crossing the Start Line 7 - Tulsa PD - amazing job managing the dozens/hundreds of intersections 6 - Fall foliage and beautiful neighborhoods 5 - Swag - very cool race jacket 4 - Course organization - Mile markers and Gatorade/water stops were clearly organized and signed 3 - Center of the Universe - what other marathon give you the option to brag that you've also run an "ultra" 2 - Hills - in trying to think of a good thing to say about the relentless hills, I came up with this: Know that as you cross the Finish Line for the Route 66, you will have completed one of the most difficult marathons (the MOST difficult of my 66 thus far)! 1 - Medal - even though the hills may prohibit a PR, you will be gifted with "speed" with the wonderful "Goddess of Speed" medal at the Finish Line. One of the best medals! | |
B. J. from Tulsa
(8/15/2017)
"Best Race every Year" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Route 66 Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. The course is challenging and the energy level of the crowds is superb! The expo is huge and fun with lots of activities, special Route 66 gear and some great food. Packet pick up is generally pretty smooth and you get a great swag bag. The water stops along the course are awesome. with some exceptional block parties along the way as well. Especially famous mile 9 - complete with jello shots, snacks, photo ops and more. The finish line is probably the most smoothly run finish line I've crossed, with an excellent post race party and VIP Section! This is a must do race! | |
l. d. from Michigan
(1/17/2017)
"good race , nice jacket and finish medal" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I and others I have contacted are extremely upset and disappointed with their handling of the so called age group awards. I won my age group and instead of giving it to me after the race they said it would be mailed within a month. I have emailed 4 times and each time they were going to be the best awards and mailed the next week. It is now 8 weeks and nothing. How could a race of that size do that? If they have no intentions of doing so let the racers know. I would not do this race if you are good enough to place. | |
S. M. from USA
(11/28/2016)
"Enjoyable half marathon" (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course: Yes, rolling hills. The last mile was a beast. Not a huge hill, but a long one. Hills throughout were really not THAT bad, there were just quite a few of them. It's a beautiful course! You go through some fabulous neighborhoods! I appreciated the cheers! Organization: top notch Spectators and volunteers: really fun and encouraging. Smile, say 'Thank you', be positive and encouraging to others, let them know you appreciate them coming out. I loved that they came out on a cold morning to be supportive! Tulsa Police Department: TOP SHELF! They did a great job keeping us safe and were so encouraging! The whole day was great. The confetti and music at the start was so fun! I enjoyed the paparazzi (photographers) too! What a spunky bunch! This was a really fun race! |
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