Run to Remember Memorial Marathon Podcast

The 2023 Memorial Marathon is finally here! So, what should you be doing between now and Marathon Weekend? We asked roundtables of runners to share tips, advice and insights and to talk about why they run. Then, we asked our listeners and runners if they had any last-minute questions. From course time limits and gear check to relay exchanges, security and more, you’ll hear about “Things to Know Be...

Race Weekend is a little over a week away, and it all begins at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, presented by OU Health and Visit OKC! This week, OU’s Kelli Hayward Walsh tells us what runners and attendees can expect at the Expo, plus details on the can’t-miss events and why it gets better every year. Then, Oklahoma City Assistant City Manager and EMBARK Director/Adminis...

As we enter this week of remembrance leading up to April 19, hear from a powerful lineup of guests who remind us Why We Run. On April 19, 1995, Congressman Frank Lucas, representing Oklahoma’s 6th district, was in Dallas with the Oklahoma congressional delegation. That morning, he learned from a reporter that an explosion occurred in downtown Oklahoma City, just over a block away from his own offi...

Keri Young was grief-stricken when she lost her daughter to anencephaly. Just days later, she and her husband, Royce, found themselves at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, a place of remembrance, peace and hope. Already veterans of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, they ran the Kids Marathon just two weeks later in honor of their daughter, Eva. This week, Keri tells us how the Marathon conti...

Broadcast journalist Linda Cavanaugh was on assignment in Vietnam on April 19, 1995. After learning of the Oklahoma City bombing in the middle of the night on Vietnam state television, she rushed home to join her KFOR News team in the wall-to-wall coverage. Linda recounts her time covering the bombing and its aftermath and anchoring the Memorial Marathon. Plus, she has a new role as Senior Maratho...

Whether he’s running in a flak jacket and Kevlar in the Iraqi Green Zone or with his fellow tribal citizens on a Memorial Marathon relay team, Comanche Nation’s new Chairman and retired Lt. Colonel Mark Woommavovah has an unwavering passion for running. Learn why the Marathon holds a special place in his heart. Then, representatives from Mercy, the official sponsor of the Senior Marathon, and the...

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has long been a Boston qualifying event, but after the Boston Marathon was also targeted by terrorism in 2013, the two races now share a unique bond, forged by tragedy, determination and hope. Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray joins us to recount the moments and days after the bombs went off at the finish line. He also shares why he’s run this iconi...

Have you ever thought about hiring a running coach for your marathon training? Running coaches aren’t just for professional athletes or career marathoners and can help you achieve your goals by making you faster and stronger. Veteran coach Mark Bravo and his client Cody Perrault are here to explain what coaching sessions look like and what kind of gains you can expect. Then, we dive into all thing...

This week, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins host Kristen Fares and Race Director Kari Watkins to talk about the Memorial Marathon’s powerful impact and what’s new for 2023. He also explains how his “One OKC” message of unity and finding common purpose parallels the mission of the Marathon and the Memorial. Then, Amanda Scofield from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality describes he...

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is more than just a marathon. We Run to Remember the 168 killed on April 19, 1995, and to honor the family members, survivors and first responders. Survivor Polly Nichols and her husband Larry Nichols recount how she survived the attack that day, her recovery from extensive injuries and her decades-long support of the Memorial and the Marathon. Then, from race b...

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is more than just a marathon. We Run to Remember the 168 killed on April 19, 1995, and to honor the family members, survivors and first responders. Ryan Whicher, son of Oklahoma City bombing victim Alan Whicher, shares his family’s tragic and inspiring story. He reflects on the life of his late father and tells us why the Oklahoma City National Memorial and the...

The official Run to Remember mobile app , powered by MidFirst Bank, puts everything you need to know about race weekend in the palm of your hand. This week, DJ Morgan of MidFirst Bank and Dustin Potter from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum first walk us through all the features of the newly upgraded app. Be sure to download it today. Then, find out how course marshals play a vital ro...

Springtime can bring severe weather to Oklahoma, and Colin Perry of Perry Weather Consulting joins us first to explain how his proprietary weather forecasting technology keeps runners safe along the course. Then avid marathoner, Peloton runner and recent Oklahoma transplant Erin Welch stops by to talk about why she’s excited to run her first Memorial Marathon. And lastly, EMSA Division Chief and M...

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has an exciting new partnership with Griffin Media, and KWTV News 9’s morning anchor Robin Marsh and director of content Nathan Elliot are here with all the details. Then, Memorial Marathon Medical Director Dr. Brian Coleman stops by with can’t-miss tips on how to prevent running injuries. And to close the show, seasoned marathoner, writer and OMRF General Couns...

This week, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum John Kennedy stops by for an in-depth conversation about the mission of the Marathon and Memorial. Then, veteran marathoner and SSM Health Saint Anthony physician’s assistant Sarah Thompson tells us how she juggles a career, motherhood and marathon training. And to close the episode, Lydia Kirchman expl...

This year, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon welcomes a new addition to the race weekend lineup: the Senior Marathon! Get all the details from Senior Marathon ambassador Jane Jayroe and Marathon trustee Chris Fleming. Plus, the post-race burgers are back and Brian Bogert and Courtney Mankin from Spark and the Social Order stop by to reflect on the news. Then to close this week’s episode, we cele...

Welcome back to the Run to Remember Memorial Marathon Podcast! In the premiere episode of season 2, first meet Lynne Porter, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s new director of operations. Next, lace up your shoes for a marathon training roundtable with representatives from OK Runner, Wahoo, Landrunners, Red Coyote and Yukon Raw. And to close the episode, hear from Sara Sweet, who lost her fathe...

The 2022 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is in the books! Hear post-race reactions from Marathon winners Bryant Kierns and McKale Montgomery, men’s wheelchair winner Glenn Pemberton, Half Marathon winners Al Maeder and Kristi Coleman and 5K winners Luis Chavez and Natalie Duggan. Plus, Mayor David Holt talks about race weekend and his family’s participation in the Kids Marathon. Former Oklahoma wo...

Welcome to the 2022 Memorial Marathon Health & Fitness Expo! Host Kristin Fares and Race Director Kari Watkins talk to runners including world record holder Marko Cheseto, Ran Them All Steve Bolton, 79-year-old Dan Little, Yvette Trachtenberg, Madeline Fares, John Sherrick, Camille Teller and Landon Shores. More guests include Memorial Marathon announcer Whit Raymond, running ambassador Mark Bravo...

Race day is here! In this episode, you’ll learn about how the Memorial Marathon serves as a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and Abbott World Marathon Majors. Meet two Memorial Marathon champions who have each won multiple times. Three-time winner Camille Herron has since gone on to break American and world records in ultrarunning. She’s coached by her husband, Conor Holt, who is a two-time...

Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley and Fire Chief Richard Kelley stress the importance of the next generation understanding the legacy and lessons of April 19, 1995. Legendary football coach Barry Switzer talks about bringing his Dallas Cowboys team to the bombing site — and also how the tragedy spurred an interest in training search and rescue dogs. Brian Bogert and Graham Colton share detai...

Madeline Fares, teenage daughter of host Kristin Fares, joins the show to discuss her marathon training journey with her mom. OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti explains his decision to bring every new team member to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell talks about the Marathon route’s intersection with Route 66, America’s Main Street. And we hear from Jason Bodin on...

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt talks about the Governor’s Relay Challenge and introduces his running mates. You’ll pick up some strength and nutrition tips from Christie Thomas and Carlee Daub of WAHOO! Running. Dr. Dale Bratzler of OU Health, Tammy Powell, president of SSM Health and Dr. Julie Watson of INTEGRIS Health provide the latest health update. And Jorge Hernandez tells us about the 5K race an...

Running legend Dick Beardsley has endured a series of setbacks that would cause many to stumble, yet he’s prevailed and emerged stronger than ever with a story that’s sure to inspire. Kelli Masters knows a thing or two about perseverance as well — she’s an NFL agent and one of the most influential women in sports business. You’ll hear from Amy Stephens on Heritage Hills and Mesta Park. And meet Yv...

Erik Heine shares his powerful story of running while pushing son Stephen and his belief that “Yes, you can.” Last week, you heard from Bill Rodgers and this week you’ll meet another legend in running, Joan Benoit Samuelson. She talks about the early days of the sport and her victory in the first-ever women’s marathon event at the 1984 Olympics. Mike Hoang tells us about the Asian District and wha...