story by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
Senior marathoners can enjoy being part of one of the nation’s most significant feel-good events for fitness in the lead-up to the “Run to Remember” event on Sunday, April 30. The day before the marathon, Saturday, at 8 a.m., the Senior Marathoners complete their event between the 7 a.m. start of the 5K run and the Kid’s Marathon of a similar style at 9 a.m.
The course begins at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and winds through downtown, ending in Scissortail Park!
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a community-driven event that began in 2001 as a fundraiser for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. It has been offering seniors this experience for three years. Seniors who walk or run before the marathon on Sunday can support the downtown museum to help honor the victims, survivors, rescuers, and those affected by the April 19, 1995 bombing.
Instead of a quote in this article, we share the mission statement, which is as profound as any comment available: Our mission is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were lost, and unite the world in hope. This is not just another marathon. It is a Run to Remember … and a race to show that we can each make a difference and change the world.
The Senior Marathon, presented by Mercy Hospitals, has grown since its inaugural year, when more than 1,000 seniors participated. Building on that initial success, it now features a Senior Groups program for at least 20 participants, offering two $500 cash awards.
A $500 prize will be awarded to the senior group with the highest number of participants. All other groups will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win $500 toward their wellness programs.
The Senior Groups program also offers early packet pick-up for coordinators who receive free registration, allowing them to collect packets for the group before race weekend. Due to the large number of seniors, special bus and van parking will be available for dropping off and picking up senior athletes at the Start and Finish Lines.
Starting in January, seniors 60+ walked or ran 25 miles (about 1.5 miles weekly). On Race Day, they run or walk the last 1.2 miles of their marathon distance directly south from the Memorial starting line to the finish in Scissortail Park. This allows seniors to feel like “elite” participants because of the on-course support from a massive outpouring of cheering from volunteering OKC residents. The support and encouragement from the community make seniors feel valued and part of a larger cause.
Senior marathoners can enjoy the camaraderie of competition and interaction by visiting the popular Health and Fitness Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center at the finish line. The OKC Convention and Visitors Bureau and OU Health present it.
The entry fee of $30 provides seniors with an event t-shirt, a finishing medal, and complimentary admission to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum that day, courtesy of their bib number. This event can energize many people to participate in an activity that provides good health, a key to aging gracefully. Whether seniors run or walk, this “Run to Remember” is a proven way to stay active and promote good health.
