Preparing for the OKC Memorial Marathon

As spring approaches, runners across Oklahoma City are beginning to ramp up their mileage in preparation for one of the city’s most meaningful annual events, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Known as the “Run to Remember,” the race honors the lives lost, survivors and those changed forever by the April 19, 1995 bombing, while celebrating the resilience and unity of the Oklahoma City community. 

With race weekend scheduled for April 24–26, March serves as a critical training period for participants preparing to take on distances ranging from a 5K to the full 26.2-mile marathon. Throughout the city, runners can be seen training along popular routes like the Oklahoma River Trail, downtown streets and pathways around Scissortail Park. 

Race Weekend Overview 

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has grown into one of the city’s largest annual events, attracting tens of thousands of runners and spectators from across the country. Race weekend includes multiple events designed to welcome runners of all ages and experience levels. 

Friday, April 24 
Race weekend begins with the Health & Fitness Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, where participants pick up race packets and explore running gear, vendors and race information. 

Saturday, April 25 
Saturday’s events include the Memorial 5K, along with the Kids Marathon and Senior Marathon celebrations, offering families and younger runners a chance to participate in race weekend. 

Sunday, April 26 
Sunday features the event’s signature races, including: 

• Full Marathon – 26.2 miles 

• Half Marathon – 13.1 miles 

• Quarter Marathon – 6.55 miles 

• Marathon Relay – four runners splitting the marathon distance 

The marathon course takes runners through several of Oklahoma City’s most recognizable neighborhoods and districts, including Bricktown, Midtown, Automobile Alley, Heritage Hills and the Paseo Arts District. 

Along the route, spectators gather to encourage runners, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the course. One of the most well-known spectator locations is “Gorilla Hill,” where enthusiastic crowds cheer runners up one of the course’s most challenging inclines. 

For those preparing to participate, several local running groups and organizations offer training programs to help runners build endurance and stay motivated throughout the season. 

Local opportunities include training programs and group runs hosted by: 

• Oklahoma City Running Club, which offers organized training runs and group workouts leading up to race weekend. 

• Red Coyote Running and Fitness, a local running store that hosts group runs and training support for runners of all levels. 

• OK Runner, which organizes weekly community runs and training groups throughout the city. 

Many runners also participate in informal training groups that meet regularly along the Oklahoma River trails, downtown running routes and neighborhood streets.