Runners begin countdown to Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon with 5K

Hundreds of runners took to the streets Saturday morning, completing a 5K event to kick off the countdown to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

For many, running is a solitary pursuit, but for others, it's about teamwork and community.

“We don't just run the marathon, right? We train for weeks and weeks and weeks,” said Jackie Monia, a participant in this year’s half marathon.

Monia, who will serve as a pacer, said running with others makes the experience more meaningful. “It's so much easier to do when you have a whole group of people around you, supporting you and running with you,” she said.

The annual event brings participants together to honor the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

“We started today with our moment of silence, honoring those who died, those who were injured, and those whose lives were changed forever,” said Monia.

Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum emphasized the importance of the marathon as a way to commemorate the resilience and unity of the community.

"It's a chance to celebrate life and to make sure we don't take a day for granted," she said

This year’s marathon holds special significance, marking 30 years since the Murrah Federal Building bombing and 25 years since the first Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

“The marathon is just reminding us every single year of the Oklahoma Standard of taking care of each other and remembering what happened,” Monia said.

With less than 100 days until race day, organizers remind those interested that it’s not too late to sign up for the Memorial Marathon.