Registration is now open for the Oklahoma City Memorial Virtual Marathon and more than 12,000 runners have already signed up. Today, the Memorial Marathon announced they are adding another race or RIDE to the current five runs that include the Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 5K and Kids Marathon.
Cyclists can now register to participate in either a 26.2 or a 13.1 mile Bike Ride. These are unusual distances for seasoned cyclists but this is a one-time opportunity with limited capacity of 500 bicyclists in each race in 2020. Why We Run can also be Why We Ride! Both runners and bicycle riders will experience the same reason why this race was created in the first place – 20 years ago.
These two rides are added to give another dimension to the Memorial Marathon and allow excited runners to participate in more than just the Marathon during this global pandemic.
“What the Memorial has done here is to turn what’s a challenging situation to what is an opportunity. I know at Devon, the presenting sponsor since the first year, we are very excited about this,” said Dave Hager, Devon, lead presenting Memorial Marathon sponsor.
“Cyclists have long asked us for a bike component and we have never had the time to add it. But with COVID-19 and so many people taking up biking for the first time – the Virtual Memorial Marathon seemed like the perfect opportunity for cyclists to join the Run to Remember. Our promise to the runners – we will not take our eyes off of providing a first class Marathon experience but to the riders, this is YOUR year to experience what so many people love about the Memorial Marathon,” said Kari Watkins, Race Director.
A commemorative Looking Back Riding Forward ribbon for bicycle participants has been added to this year’s new spinning medal. Cyclists will receive all the 20th Anniversary swag Marathon or Half Marathon runners will receive including a race bib, anniversary medal, event shirt, special finisher blanket, poster and an In Honor Of bib that each runner can personalize. All will be delivered to each participant’s house in a special edition box.
“I think this is a really exciting opportunity that we can do this one year to have bikers as part of our race. I am personally very excited about participating in the bike ride and it opens up the Marathon to even more people to experience the reason behind the Run to Remember,” said Bob Ross, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation Chair.
Cyclists can ride the Marathon course – found on the Marathon app – or create their own course. Beginning bicyclists or seasoned cyclists can ride 26.2 or 13.1 miles from October 4 through October 18. Riders should submit their time to receive a 20% discount to run in the 2021 Memorial Marathon. You can ride in OKC or wherever you are – the beauty of the virtual course is wherever you are in 2020, you can participate – from North Carolina to Oklahoma to California.
“To all those who are riding, walking, running we wish you the best of luck, being proud of the strides Oklahoma has made since that tragic day back in 1995,” said Kerry Morris, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, presenting sponsor 26.2/13.1 Ride.
Currently the Marathon has participants registered from 46 states – and would love to have cyclists or runners from Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, and North Dakota. The Marathon’s goal is to have all states represented in this 20th Anniversary Memorial Marathon.
All Marathon registrations benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, as its largest fundraiser. The Memorial is owned and operated by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation and does not receive any annual government funding.
Ride registrations are limited. Sign up now to run or ride at okcMarathon.com