Currently at the Memorial & Museum
Preserving History...
Museum Artifacts Tell a Story
April 25, 2011
On April 27, 2003, a Memorial Marathon was run in the Sinai Desert by Oklahoma National Guard and other multinational troops and observers stationed in Egypt. The run was organized by Lt. Col. Kevin McNeely, who was working for HUD in Washington, DC, at the time of the bombing and knew several people who were killed. Participants wanted to share their support for the community and the Memorial even though they were out of the country. Sgt. Darren D. Heusel took photographs of the soldiers running, and a CD and banner were given to the Archives by the Task Force 1-180 Public Affairs Office when the troops returned to the United States.
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was conceptualized by Oklahoma businessmen Thomas Hill and Chet Collier while they were on a morning run. From its inaugural race in 2001, the Marathon, staffed by 24 volunteer chairmen and more than 6,000 volunteers, has grown from 5,000 participants to 22,000 runners and walkers from across the country and around the world. The mission of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor the memories of those who were killed and unite the world in hope.
Many Marathon participants run in honor of someone who was killed, and leave their bibs and medals on the chairs. These items are then collected by Archives staff and become part of the Memorial’s permanent collections.
« Back to Currently at the Memorial & Museum | Archived Currently at the Memorial & Museum »
Tweet
620 N. Harvey, Oklahoma City | 405.235.3313 888.542.HOPE
©2011 Oklahoma City National Memorial