A Weekend of Fun!
Friday, April 24
9:00am to 5:00pm — Memorial Museum Open
Learn the story of Why We Run the Memorial Marathon. FREE admission with bib or registration confirmation.
10:00am — Early Expo Entry for Senior Marathoners Only
You have run or walked your first 25 miles and you have 1.2 to go on Race Day! Come early and beat the crowds to pick up your bib and check out the Expo!
11:00am to 7:00pm — Health & Fitness Expo
At the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Presented by Visit OKC and OU Health. Be sure to stop by the Memorial Marathon Store to pick up official Marathon apparel!
12:00pm to 1:00pm — The Run to Remember Podcast: Live From the Marathon Expo
OKC Race Ambassadors and special guests join host Kristin Fares and Race Director Kari Watkins live from the Marathon Expo!
1:00pm — Why We Run to Remember
Hear heartwarming stories of resilience and courage from family members, survivors and first responders hitting the streets to help Run to Remember.
2:00pm — No Matter Your Pace, You Belong Here!
Hear from OKC Race Ambassadors as they remind you the toughest mile is not the last one, it is the one where you want to quit. No matter what, you belong in the race. Special guests include: Marko Cheseto, Jerry Faulkner, Dakotah Popehn, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Jenny Simpson!
3:00pm — 2026 Boston Retrospective: How You Use #RunOKC as Your Boston Qualifier
Featuring Bill Rodgers, Meb Keflezighi, Zouhair Talbi, Rory Linkletter, Biya Simbassa, Dakotah Popehn, Marko Cheseto, and others – moderated by Deena Kastor.
4:00pm — Yoga with Mark Ballard
Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours and get ready for Race Weekend. Meet at the #RuntoRemember sign at the north edge of the Expo floor.
5:00pm — Mind, Body, & Balance: How do Women Keep Things Running?
Featuring Dr. Catherine Mims (OU Health), Dr. Meaghan Ryan Palmisano, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Deena Kastor, Jenny Simpson, Dakotah Popehn and moderated by Dr. Susan Chambers, immediate past chair of OKC National Memorial.
6:00pm — Legacy & Perspective: Q & A with Meb Keflezighi & Bill Rodgers
Hear from two very different eras and perspectives of runners and the moments that define their running careers.
7:00pm — Expo Closes
Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in OKC! This city has become a foodies dream – check out Visit OKC to learn more about OKC’s highly touted dining.
Saturday, April 25
The Start Line is between 5th and 6th on Harvey Ave.
7:00am — Memorial 5K
Presented by Express Employment International and Google. National Anthem performed by Zach & April Gaddis.
7:30am to 10:30am — Finish Line Festival
Presented by Continental Resources. Featuring The Wavetones. Food trucks available: Raspados OKC, Yum Yum Bites, PsychoTaco OKC, Redbird Native Foods, & Carnival Eats and Treats.
8:00am — Senior Marathon
Presented by Mercy. National Anthem performed by Zach & April Gaddis.
8:00am to 6:00pm — Health & Fitness Expo
At the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Presented by Visit OKC and OU Health. Be sure to stop by the Memorial Marathon Store to pick up official Marathon apparel!
9:00am — Kids Marathon
Presented by Oklahoma Children’s OU Health. National Anthem performed by Spaghetti Eddie.
9:00am to 5:00pm — Memorial Museum Open
Take time to tour the Memorial Museum, then check out the Start Line in front of the Museum (FREE admission with your race bib or confirmation).
10:00am — Yoga with Jennifer Henry
Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours and get ready for Race Weekend. Meet at the #RuntoRemember sign at the north edge of the Expo floor.
11:00am — Built to Finish: From the Start Line to the Finish Line, Guiding First-Time Marathoners
Hear stories of running every step to the finish line like a pro! Featuring Biya Simbassa, Rory Linkletter, Marko Cheseto, Zouhair Talbi, Deena Kastor and Jenny Simpson.
12:00pm — Ran Them All
Hear from those who are hitting the streets for the 26th year! Come hear their why and how…and their stories of resilience! Moderated by Race Announcer Whit Raymond.
12:30pm — Pilates in the Park
Join Club Pilates Yukon led by Amber in front of the stage in Scissortail Park.
1:30pm — Our City on a World Stage: What is the Impact on Olympians?
Oklahoma City will host Olympic events in 2028 as part of LA28. But this weekend, we have a city full of Olympians – do not miss the reflections from Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Meb Keflezighi, Deena Kastor, Dakotah Popehn, Jenny Simpson, Zouhair Talbi and Rory Linkletter all who have raced in the Olympics! They are helping put OKC on the world stage this weekend in the racing world as we prepare for our own Olympic Games in 2028!
2:30pm — She Runs This
From pioneering the first women’s Olympic Marathon to today, Joan Benoit Samuelson works every day lifting up other great female runners. She is joined by Deena Kastor, Jenny Simpson, and Dakotah Popehn.
3:30pm — Stronger Every Mile: Men’s Health for Life
Featuring Dr. Brian Coleman with OU Health, Dr. Azeemuddin Ahmed, Meb Keflezighi, Marko Cheseto, Bill Rodgers, and Biya Simbassa – learn how to balance life and exercise and get stronger every mile. Hear from great runners who know it best.
4:30pm — Every Mile Matters
Featuring OKC Race Ambassadors – hear from some of the greatest young runners as they bridge their personal experience with realistic racing tips, focusing on community and resilience. Special guests include Zouhair Talbi, 2026 Houston Marathon winner; Rory Linkletter, who made his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games and set a PR at the 2025 Chicago Marathon; Biya Simbassa, who ran track at OU and is one of the fastest American marathoners; and Dakotah Popehn, who ran at the Paris 2024 Games and won back-to-back Grandma’s Marathon championships.
6:00pm — Expo Closes
Grab a pre-race dinner and check out Visit OKC to find a great meal! Get some rest, tomorrow is Race Day!
6:30pm — Blessing of the Shoes
Join runners at First Church (5th & Robinson) east of the Memorial to enjoy a quiet moment and have your shoes blessed before the race.
Sunday, April 26
5:00am to 6:30am — Gear Check
The clear bag given to you at registration will be the only bag accepted at Gear Check race morning. Allow time for security to check your bag. Following the race, pick up your bag near the stage at Scissortail Park at Robinson and OKC Boulevard until 1:30pm. Sponsored by Visit OKC.
Start line corrals are located on Harvey in front of the Memorial Museum between 6th and 10th Streets. Enter your corral at the appropriate entrance. You must have a bib to enter. Only pre-approved service dogs are allowed. Bringing a pet with you will immediately disqualify you.
5:00am — Runner’s Mass at St. Joseph’s Old Cathedral
Located at 307 NW 4th Street.
5:30am —Sunrise Service Under the Survivor Tree
5:30am to 9:00am — Free Pancake Breakfast
Located at 5th & Robinson, directly East of the Memorial.
26th Memorial Marathon Race Day
6:00am — Welcome and Introductions
6:15am — 168 Seconds of Silence
National Anthem performed by Cole & Karlie Grubbs.
6:20am — Corrals Close
6:25am — Wheelchair Division Marathon, Half, and Quarter Start
6:30am — Marathon Start
Presented by Devon Energy.
6:30am — Half Marathon Start
Presented by Paycom.
6:30am — Quarter Marathon Start
Presented by The Chickasaw Nation.
7:30am to 1:30pm — Finish Line Festival
Presented by Continental Resources, featuring The Wavetones. Food trucks available: Raspados OKC, Yum Yum Bites, PsychoTaco OKC, Redbird Native Foods, & Carnival Eats and Treats. Meet your runners in the park and enjoy food, drink, and community. Get your commemorative picture with MarathonFoto (official race photographer) at the Finish Line and in Scissortail Park. As you exit the Finish Line, grab your food, hydration, and race medal. Finisher shirts are available for 26.2 and 13.1 participants. If you bundled the special Why We Run Series, be sure to pick up that medal as well. Stick around to celebrate with family and friends and enjoy your accomplishment!
12:00pm to 5:00pm — Memorial Museum Open
Take a quick shower and make the trek back to the start line — you would never guess 30,000 runners started their race there this weekend. Spend an hour in the museum and be proud of helping us preserve this story and teach the lessons learned to future generations. Last ticket distributed at 4:00pm. (FREE admission with your race bib or registration confirmation email.)
