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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Oklahoma City, OK
Sunday, April 25, 2027


  4.5 Stars from 13 Reviews

Course Description
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon course is relatively flat to slightly rolling and can be a fast course. The weather is typically slightly warmer than ideal for marathon running. PRs and BQs will depend a lot on the race day weather.

There is only about 140 feet of total elevation difference over the entire course.

April Other Marathons in April Other Marathons in Oklahoma Marathons near Oklahoma City, OK



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, April 25, 2027
2026: Sunday, April 26, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 60°F (15°C)
Average High: 68°F (20°C)
Average Low: 51° F (10°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.91
Course Score: 98.40

Race Size

2026: 2,527 Finishers
2025: 2,533 Finishers
2024: 1,949 Finishers
2023: 1,816 Finishers
2022: 1,104 Finishers
2021: 1,185 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 2.8%
2025: 2.3%
2024: 3.8%
2023: 5.5%
2022: 4.7%
2021: 3.6%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 13 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 75°F  (24°C)
Low: 55°F  (13°C)

Race Start Conditions

56°F  (13°C)
Humidity: 85%

Overcast
S 9 mph

PR Score

97.1

Course Score

98.48






Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was the 37th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 40th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 2.8% of Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 2.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon ranked 399th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 255th so far in 2026. In Oklahoma, it ranked 3rd in 2025 and 2nd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has a Course Score of 98.40, ranking it as the 313th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest marathon course in Oklahoma.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon a PR Score of 97.91. The PR Score ranks the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon as the 293rd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in Oklahoma.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Oklahoma for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed313th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd fastest marathon course in Oklahoma
Top 68% Nationally#2 of 3 in Oklahoma
PR Potential293rd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in Oklahoma
Top 64% Nationally#3 of 3 in Oklahoma
Boston Qualifier Rate399th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd highest BQ percentage in Oklahoma
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 84% Nationally#3 of 4 in Oklahoma
Race Size37th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 1st largest marathon in Oklahoma
Based on 2025 results
Top 7% Nationally#1 of 4 in Oklahoma

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 1266 feet (385m)
Min Elevation: 1121 feet (341m)

Elevation Gain: 758 feet (231m)
Elevation Loss: 778 feet (237m)


Oklahoma

Course updated 02/25/2025




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Race Reviews


4.5
Based on 13 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Fun Marathon with Local Support

Full Review:

I enjoyed getting to know the city and its neighborhood communities along the course. Centered around remembrance of the tragic bombing 30 years ago, the race pulls people and the community together. With somewhere around 26,000 people running, the corral grouping and possibly wave staggering will need some improvement for those starting toward the back.

Race Tips:

Somewhat hilly in the first half. Note there is a long slow incline from mile 20.5 to 24 where many people hit their wall. Hill training is invaluable and be sure to save energy for the last 10K. 6:30 start time is pretty early, but good to get an early start in late April.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of good hotel options in downtown within walking distance of the start and finish. We stayed at the official race hotel which was next door to the expo at the convention center. Would have liked if they offered coffee and light snacks / fruit to runners in the morning.
Reviewed by BG About 2025

Great Community Participation

Full Review:

Prior to the race start there are 168 seconds of silence to remember those who died in the bombing. Very touching and there are many signs along the route to remember the victims.

Race Tips:

Corrals were big and not too crowded. They allowed 5 minutes between each corral start. There was a water station each mile along the course but many more available from locals or groups not officially at water stations. First Aid stations were also numerous and increased as we moved into the final half or so. Some of the workers may have been a little over zealous as they approached just about anyone who even slowed down. Better safe than sorry I guess. My only complaint is the finish line. All races finish along the last stretch which is about half a mile. I was trying to PB and found myself having to zig zag around walkers through this part. Seems like they could designate one side for full and the other side for half and 5K.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I heard some locals had trouble finding parking close to the start. I stayed at a hotel in the Bricktown area and was able to walk.
Reviewed by BG About 2019

Pretty fast course with small hills

Full Review:

This was my second marathon and I really enjoyed it. The course had some small hills but was still pretty fast overall. The spectators are enthusiastic and set a great atmosphere for the whole race. Plenty of water/fuel stops as well as restrooms throughout the whole course. The weather was perfect. It’s also for a great cause (celebrating lives lost in the OKC bombing and raising money for the memorial and museum) and you can tell the race means a lot to the city. I highly recommend this one.
Reviewed by BR About 2019

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2017

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2017

Full Review:

Well organized with plenty of water stops and aid. The entire city really comes together for this event supporting runners along the entire course. The first several miles have a lot of turns and are ran on narrow streets which makes it difficult to hit your splits if you are in the back starting out. They provide a bunch of pacing groups with pacing leaders who have ran the course several times.

Race Tips:

I would recommend starting in corral A or B as it gets very crowded with slow runners and walkers at the back. This course is more hilly than you would expect. The Marathon course has about 700' of El. Gain. The Weather can do anything so if you're travelling be prepared for all types of weather. I've ran this 3 years in a row now and it can be hot and humid or cold and rainy, but it definitely will be windy!
Reviewed by JB About 2017

Full Review:

Wind is always a factor. Spring weather is sometimes unpredictable. Great turnout. Lots of water stops.

Race Tips:

Expect delays. First few miles and back half slow due to lots of slow runners and walkers.
Reviewed by MB About 2017

Full Review:

Really well run race - tremendous number of volunteers involved - water/powerade stations almost every mile - many giving out pretzels & oranges. Great spectator involvement throughout the course both cheering and giving out the typical things but also many giving very cold bottled water and some odd things like bacon. This is very much an entire city event and it shows - all of the hotels gave extended checkouts - great shuttle system to/from the race - they really have it going on. Race is a little more up and down that you might think but plenty manageable - just be aware that it is very windy in OKC - wind was out of the south today at about 25mph - race is a north south point to point race and it was tough getting back in. I will certainly run this race again.
Reviewed by HL -Maniac # 12590 About 2016

Full Review:

You can't best the atmosphere. This is truly running for a cause.

Race Tips:

Pay close attention to the wind on race day. When we turned going south along Lake Hefner the wind was BRUTAL. My pace dropped 30-45sec/mile in that section.
Reviewed by TMB About 2016

Full Review:

Great Pacers and organization! Great course but can get hot and a tough prevailing headwind near the lake on the return.

Race Tips:

The pace groups are awesome. Community support is great.
Reviewed by TM About 2016

Full Review:

This is a very well organized race. Plenty of water stops, aid stations and bathrooms. There is tons of crowd support along the way, especially if you are running the 1/2 marathon. The finishers village is the best I have experienced with food and music for the runners. They have a large medical tent right off the finish line equipped with ice and plenty of staff on hand to provide you with any medical needs. This race includes the marathon, marathon relay, 1/2 marathon and 5K. It is a sea of people at the starting line and is very cramped. They do a good job separating out the corrals, but because of this the first several miles of the race is elbow to elbow with runners until the 1/2 marathoners split off around mile 7, therefore this isn't a race you will want to a PR!

Cons: The weather is totally unpredictable, but you can expect it to be windy. This is not a flat course. There is about 700' ft of elevation gain throughout. The last 5 miles is slightly uphill the entire way and you will most likely be running into a 15-25 mph wind. This is the most difficult section of the course which is not ideal for the last 6 miles in a marathon. Luckily there is tons of crowd support and water stops every mile to the finish.

Race Tips:

Take the first several miles slower than goal pace. It is very cramped the first 7 miles and you will want to save some energy for the last 5 miles of the race which is a brutal uphill windy stretch.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive early to the start to take part in the OKC memorial ceremonies. It is very beautiful and emotional.
Reviewed by PW About 2016

Weather permitting

Full Review:

Race itself is very well done. Large number of runners is great, never a point in the race where I was alone. Support from race volunteers as well as spectators was second to none.

Down side, didn't like the course. Weather can be hot, cold, rainy, so plan for anything.

Race Tips:

Plan for any type of weather.
Reviewed by MH About 2016

Full Review:

Well organized. Great course and crowd support. I will definitely travel to OK to run this marathon again.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed down town. Easy to get to the expo and start.
Reviewed by James About 2013