Press Releases

2008 Memorial Marathon contributes record donation to the Oklahoma City National Memorial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 16, 2008

Contact: Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

2008 MEMORIAL MARATHON CONTRIBUTES RECORD DONATION TO OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Largest event in race history nets funds for Memorial

OKLAHOMA CITY – A check for $350,000, the largest amount given to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s eight-year history, was presented to the Memorial today.

Twenty-four volunteer chairmen plan, coordinate and implement the weekend’s events and oversee a volunteer corps of 6,000 stretched across the 26.2-mile course. This year’s Marathon hosted 16,000 runners, up 12% from the 2007 race, with runners from all 50 states and four foreign countries. It has been hailed by Runner’s World magazine as one of the 12 Must Run marathons in the world and was scored 6th overall out of all U.S. marathons by Marathons and Beyond in December of 2007.

“This gift is a testament to the enthusiasm, passion and commitment of Thomas Hill and Chet Collier, to the involvement and dedication of the corporate sponsors, volunteer chairs and the corps of more than 6,000 volunteers who make this event possible. We are grateful for their efforts in helping us continue our mission of remembrance and hope through the marathon,” said Kari F. Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum executive director. “We continue to be blessed by the Marathon and the runners who choose to participate in it each year.”

The Marathon was conceptualized by local businessmen Thomas Hill and Chet Collier, who initially created the outline for this inspiring event while out on a morning run. Since the first race in 2000, more than $1 million has been raised through the annual marathon to support the Memorial and its programs.

“What began for us as a way to have a marathon closer to home and to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever on April 19, 1995, has become an inspiration for the thousands of runners who participate each year,” said Hill. “The growth we have experienced in the young life of this race is phenomenal, and the support we receive from our sponsors and volunteers is the very reason we are able to give back to the Memorial.”

In addition to the contributions made to the Memorial, a 2007 study conducted by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce found the race contributed an estimated $4.8 million in economic impact to Oklahoma City over the three days events were held.

“The Marathon is an amazing experience for the thousands of runners from across the country who come to race, bring their friends and families, and who experience the best of Oklahoma City’s hospitality. It is truly an event they will never forget,” said Laura Kriegel, Director of Marketing & Communications, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau and first-time Memorial Marathon relay runner.

The mission of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is to celebrate life, reach for the future, honor their memories and unite the world in hope. Presenting sponsors for the 2008 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon include Devon Energy Corporation – Marathon; Farmers Insurance Group and Chesapeake Energy Corporation – Half-Marathon; FedEx – Relay; AARP and Quest Resource Corporation – Memorial Walk; The Oklahoman – Kids Marathon; KFOR & OK43 and Citadel Broadcasting Group – Media Sponsors.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was created to honor “those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever” by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The Memorial and Museum are dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected.

For more information on the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, visit www.okcmarathon.com. For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call 405.235.3313 or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
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