The 2023 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon weekend was all about race champions with a winning twist. Both 2023 Marathon winners were last year’s Half Marathon winners, Al Maeder of Oklahoma City, blazed the course with a 2:25:14 and women’s winner, Kristi Coleman, of Yukon, finished in 2:51:36. Just days ago, Kristi decided to move up from the Half Marathon to run the Marathon.

 

Both Half Marathon winners, Andrew Leahey (1:09:01) and Kristen Vaughan (1:25:21) are from Oklahoma City. Kristen is also the 2018 Memorial Marathon winner.

 

Hand crank Marathon wheelchair racer Steven Scalzo, took his fifth Memorial Marathon win this year racing a 1:32:34.

 

Oklahoma Collective Coaches, a team of high school coaches, easily took first in the Relay, running 2:22:41.

 

New courses and finish lines highlighted Saturday’s races, the 5K, Kids Marathon and Inaugural Senior Marathon. It was a repeat of champions for the 5K too, with both winners shaving off substantial time from their 2022 finishes. Luis Chavez, of Edmond ran a 16:08 and Women’s winner, Natalie Duggan, a 15 year old high school student, shaved two minutes off her 2022 time with a 17:47.  

 

18,804 runners registered for the six Memorial Marathon races with the Marathon and Half Marathon races both selling out. More than 2,500 volunteers, including family members of the 168 people killed, survivors and first responders participate in everything from race set up and clean up, to handing out T-shirts and medals, and runner’s hydration and nutrition.

 

Thousands of visitors experienced the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum this weekend to learn why we Run to Remember. “Nothing shows the unity of  Oklahoma more than the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Runners came from all 50 states and 17 countries to be a part of the Run to Remember and witness the Oklahoma Standard,” said Kari Watkins, Race Director and President & CEO, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

 

The 2024 Memorial Marathon race weekend is April 26-28. Race registration is open now with a 24% discount off this year’s closing prices. Sign up now at okcMarathon.com.