OKC Memorial Marathon
Every Runner Carries a Name.
Each runner carries a tag with the name of one of the 168 people who died on April 19, 1995. The race starts near the Oklahoma City National Memorial, passes it on course, and the connection is literal, not symbolic. It is a Boston qualifier, named a "must-run marathon" by Runner's World, and every dollar of proceeds benefits the OKC National Memorial & Museum. ESW manages start line operations and serves as a consulting partner to the race director.
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is one of the most meaningful running events in the country, drawing a record 30,000 runners and walkers from all 50 states in 2026. ESW serves as start line operations partner and consulting resource, delivering precision logistics for the event's most critical moment: the start.
The race was founded in 2001, six years after the bombing, with just shy of 5,000 participants in its inaugural running. It has grown every year since into a Boston qualifier recognized by Runner's World as a "must-run marathon," now spanning six events: the marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, 5K, senior marathon, and kids marathon. The senior marathon and kids marathon each cover the final 1.2 miles of the full 26.2-mile course, the closing stretch for participants who log the rest of the distance on their own starting in January and then finish it together on race weekend. The 2026 race weekend opened Friday with a Health & Fitness Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, followed by the senior marathon, kids marathon, and 5K on Saturday, and the marathon, half, and quarter marathon on Sunday, April 26. That edition set a new participation record: 30,000 runners and walkers from all 50 states, up from the previous record of 26,000-plus. Tulsa's Steven Baker and Oklahoma City's Maddie McQuirk won the men's and women's marathon titles, and 71-year-old Steve Scalzo claimed his eighth wheelchair division title. All proceeds from the race benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
We have a mission. It's a run to remember. It's something they want to do and celebrate life.
Precision at the Starting Line.
The start line of a 30,000-person race is one of the most complex logistics challenges in event production. ESW manages corral organization, runner staging, and wave timing, sequencing tens of thousands of runners across six events over two days so the race starts safely and on schedule, in a moment built to carry the weight the event asks of it.
Key Project Leads
“The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is deeply woven into the fabric of the city, and you see it with local neighborhoods pouring out to support the runners. We approach our role here with immense respect. It's not just about executing a major event. It's about ensuring our operations honor that powerful legacy and match the extraordinary spirit of the community.”
“While we run to remember, the start line energy is pure resilience and celebration. Managing the precise corral loading to safely launch thousands of runners honoring this city into the streets of OKC is incredibly rewarding.”
“Producing the kids marathon brings a completely different kind of energy to the weekend. You are building an experience for young runners who might be crossing a finish line for the very first time. Our focus shifts heavily toward specialized crowd control and safety, making sure parents have clear sightlines to cheer and that every single kid feels like an absolute champion coming down the final stretch.”
The OKC Memorial Marathon draws runners from every state to a course that runs through the heart of Oklahoma City and past the Memorial itself. ESW manages start line operations: corral organization, wave sequencing, timing coordination, and ceremony staging. The goal is a clean, on-schedule start that matches the weight of the event.
30,000+
Participants
A record year, up from 26,000-plus the year prior
All 50
States Represented
One of the few marathons that draws from every state
6
Race Events
From the kids marathon to the full 26.2
100%
Proceeds to Memorial
Every dollar raised benefits the OKC National Memorial
To see the spark that this event has started in the lives of so many. The resiliency that running builds in people, I think, has helped with the healing.
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