Honoring Lives, Celebrating Life
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is about more than running — it’s about celebrating life. That’s the spirit in which the Memorial Marathon was conceptualized by two Oklahoma businessmen who, while on a morning run, created the outline for this inspiring event.
The Run to Remember brings together runners and spectators from around the world to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Each race begins with 168 seconds of silence in honor of those who were killed. Along the course, runners pass by 168 banners, each representing the name of one of the bombing victims.
The race also signifies the strength and resilience of Oklahoma City. Like the Survivor Tree at the Memorial that stands strong today, the community stands equally strong in its support of this memorable event. Every neighborhood comes out to celebrate — each with its own unique tradition — and spectators enthusiastically cheer on each runner to the end. It’s a celebration not to be missed!
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is the sole beneficiary of Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon event proceeds. The Memorial and Museum receive no annual funding from local, state or federal government, so this event — the Memorial’s largest fundraiser — is critical for the mission to continue. To learn more about the Memorial and Museum, click here.
Mission Statement
Today, a group of volunteer chairmen and Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum staff lead a volunteer corps that plans and implements the weekend of events. This allows for the maximum amount of proceeds to benefit the Memorial and Museum and help further the mission of the Marathon:
Our mission is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were killed 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 Run to Remember is and has been an important event in helping the Oklahoma City community to heal. What happened on April 19 and the impact of violence is a lesson that has more relevance than ever and is an essential story for younger generations to learn. We’re grateful for your support and participation that allows us to continue telling that story.
