Memorial Marathon approaching

Published Feb. 26, 2009
By Network 56

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Time mended the pain but did not erase the memories. More than 13 years ago, 168 people were killed and several hundreds more injured when Timothy McVeigh parked a truck loaded with ammonium nitrate in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. As mourners find their own ways to reflect, Oklahoma City officials will prepare for the ninth annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon set for April 26, an event in which many personnel from Tinker Air Force Base will participate.

"Last year, Tinker units adopted about 18 miles of the course, about two-thirds of the race as Course Marshal's" said Staff Sergeant Rex Moseley, co-coordinator for Tinker and the Network 56 team captain, a leadership development organization for staff and technical sergeants.

Hailed as a most memorable marathon by Runner's World Magazine and as the Best Amateur Single Event Sport at the 2008 Sports Travel Awards, this event is truly "A Run to Remember." Last year, the event raised $350,000 for the Oklahoma City National Memorial, up from $250,000 the year prior. The single-loop course starts at North Robinson Avenue by the "9:01" gate and ends on Broadway Avenue, just south of 5th Avenue.

Four other running events will also be held that Sunday including a five-person marathon relay, a 5K memorial walk, a half marathon on a 13.1-mile single-loop course and the kids marathon, which is 1.2 miles.

More than 16,000 participants from the United States and abroad are expected to attend," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cockerill, course marshal coordinator for the marathon. "We are organized so that each unit is led by team captains who will monitor one section of the course."

"We're trying to set it up so that each unit has one mile sections of the race to control traffic and direct runners along their way. There are a few spots with major turns. We want as many extra pairs of eyes as possible at every intersection or [at least] every major intersection." The success of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a testament to the enthusiasm, passion and commitment of the more than 6,000 volunteers who make this event possible.

In addition to seeking course marshal volunteers, they are looking for individuals to take the lead as team captain for their organizations or units. Opportunities are not just restricted to the day of the race. There will be several pre-race preparations taking place April 24-25. "Volunteers can aid in tasks that include handing out runner tags and setting up the start and finish lines," Sergeant Moseley said.

For more information or to help out, contact Sergeant Cockerill at 570-0302 or e-mail jeffrey.cockerill@tinker.af.mil or Sergeant Moseley at rex.moseley@tinker.af.mil. More information can be found on the Memorial Marathon Link: http://www.okcmarathon.com/.