Route 66 Marathon Coming Nov. 17-18
By EMILY RAMSEY
Assistant Editor
MASCOT DASH: On Nov. 17, mascots of all kinds, from businesses to high school and college sports teams, will take to the street to compete in the second-annual Mascot Dash. The run will follow the 5K Run and One-Mile Fun Run and Walk. Kids can meet the mascots at the finish line.
Courtesy Route 66 Marathon, Inc.
Marathoners, spectators and curious bystanders can all take part in the running fun at the 7th-annual Williams Route 66 Marathon, Nov. 17-18.
Participants can compete in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5k run and walk, one-mile fun run and walk, and the Mascot Dash. A record number of participants have pre-registered for the races this year.
“We are on track for record-setting growth in all races,” says Chris Lieberman, executive director of Tulsa Route 66 Marathon Inc. “We don’t want to see anyone left out, but in order to provide the safest and best race experience to our participants from around the world, the board made the proactive decision last year to cap the races at a 30 percent growth per year.”
Race organizers estimate a yearly $5 million economic impact to the Tulsa region, and the race continues to attract growing attention.
This is partly due to the unique offerings that set the Tulsa marathon apart from others across the country, says Lieberman. This includes the Center of the Universe detour, special medals for detour and first-time runners, and local training programs from Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa.
The Center of the Universe detour is a unique-to-Tulsa, .3-mile detour to the Center of the Universe monument where there will be a band and spectators. Runners who complete the marathon with the detour will receive a special 3-inch Center of the Universe coin. This is the detour’s third year to be included in the marathon, and participant numbers continue to increase, Lieberman says.
“This is a competitive market. We have to do things to give marathoners a reason to come to Tulsa and offer things they can’t get anywhere else. There is no place else in the world that offers an intentional detour.”
All marathon, half marathon and marathon relay finishers will receive a silver medal, and everyone who completes their very first marathon will receive a My First Marathon gold medal. Event organizers expect for all races to sell out before the event weekend.
The Mascot Dash is the highlight for many spectators. Any mascot from a business or school can participate.
“The kids have a great time at this event,” says Lieberman. “After the Mascot Dash, the kids danced with the mascots for about 15 minutes. That was the best part of the event.”
The marathon, half marathon and relay will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18, with the 5k, fun run and Mascot Dash occurring on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Updated 10-30-2012
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