Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon: More Than a Race
April 07, 2026
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is more than just a race. On the last weekend in April, thousands of runners take to the streets of Oklahoma City for the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Runners compete in one or more events, ranging from the kids marathon or senior marathon up to a full marathon during the weekend festivities.
Last year, the marathon celebrated its 25th year with a record 26,000 participants. The race honors the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Not only is the starting line at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, but each race also starts with 168 seconds of silence to remember the 168 people who were killed. We caught up with a few OSCPA member runners about their involvement in the marathon and their reflections on how the event is more than just a race.
No matter what other races she has planned for the year, Lori Ehardt, CPA, controller at Continental Resources, never misses the OKC Marathon: “I run because of the impact the bombing had on the city...and how the OKC Marathon serves to rebuild the community. I have run the half-marathon race numerous times, and every year I tear up seeing the photos of the victims. It is very impactful for me.”
Chris Copeland, CPA, vice president of production management at AEGIS Hedging, was five years old when the Oklahoma City bombing happened. “Our family lived in Shawnee, less than 45 minutes from downtown. At that age, I did not understand the magnitude of what happened, but I remember the way it shaped our community. People came together to rebuild and support one another after the tragedy. That spirit of resilience is something I have carried with me, and it is why [the marathon] means so much to me today. As an adult, I am proud to call Oklahoma City home. Over the past 30-plus years, I have watched the city grow and evolve, and the marathon has become a symbol of that progress and unity. It is not just a race—it is a tribute to those we lost and a celebration of the strength that defines this community. Most importantly, the sunrise worship service at the Survivor Tree before the race still gives me chills. It is a moment of reflection that reminds me why this race matters.”
Ethan Garrett, CPA, IT reporting supervisor with Diamondback Energy, takes time every year for the marathon. “Although I did not grow up in Oklahoma City, [the marathon] has been a terrific opportunity to connect with the place I now call home. Remembering the bombing and how the community responded is integral to understanding the fabric of Oklahoma City and the character of our state. On marathon weekend, I am reminded of the Oklahoma Standard that arose from tragedy and the importance of teaching the next generation what it means to love and support our friends and neighbors when they need it most.”
Shannon Brown, CPA, controller at Pumps of Oklahoma, Inc., has lost count of how many times she has participated in the relay or power walked the half-marathon. Shannon participates to honor her church friend Sharon, who worked in the Social Security Administration offices and died in the bombing. Shannon has taken time after each race to place her race medal on Sharon’s chair at the memorial site. Shannon said, “We all repeat the important mantra of ‘remembering why we run’, but stopping by the memorial and specifically the chair that honors Sharon is something so tangible for me and allows me to have a moment amidst the busyness of the day to reflect and be grateful for my friendship with her.”
The community also comes out to support the runners. Signs of encouragement, snacks, and cheering great runners as they make their way through the course. The marathon starts at the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum, snakes through downtown, the State of Oklahoma Capitol complex, and multiple neighborhoods, giving those visiting Oklahoma City a taste of the city.
Since the OSCPA’s relocation to NW 50th and Shartel, runners of the marathon and half-marathon pass by the OSCPA offices around mile seven, shortly after conquering the famous Gorilla Hill on Shartel. To support the marathon, our organization has encouraged members to come to the OSCPA offices to cheer on the runners as they pass by. In 2025, the OSCPA was an official OKC Marathon Cheer Section.
OSCPA member Luisa Grigorian, along with her member husband Ara Grigorian, CPA, have cheered on runners. For Luisa, “It has been an extremely exciting experience. Seeing people of all ages, with and without limitations, who have committed to a purpose and have proven to themselves that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to is truly inspiring. We really enjoy cheering on our fellow OSCPA members and high-fiving them when opportunity permits!”
Claire Scott, CPA, senior tax and accounting services specialist with Burnett Advisors, answered the OSCPA’s invitation to participate in our Cheer Section last year. “We knew a couple of people from church who were running in the marathon. It seemed like a logical fit to support the marathon without having to run at all! I brought my 11-year-old daughter and her friend to the booth, and we had so much fun. It was neat to see the participants running and the crowd cheering them on. The energy was like nothing else I have experienced before. The girls enjoyed seeing the fun outfits that some of the runners wore. They liked the drinks and snacks too. To top it off, I was able to reconnect with a couple of people from Beta Alpha Psi days in Stillwater.”
It is hard not to tear up as you head to the race finish line with the pictures and names of each of the 168 men, women, and children who died in the bombing lining the finish line chute. For Josh Elder, CPA, assurance senior manager at Hogan Taylor, “The start of the marathon is something everyone should experience as well as the finish line. Both are magical. Generally, the weather is bad that weekend, but you don’t even recognize it because you’re caught up in the feelings of pushing yourself and thinking of what the run represents to the survivors, the city, state, and those who have continued the process to make sure we all remember.”
The race is the largest fundraiser for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and honors the lives of those killed, not just at the start with 168 seconds of silence, but also throughout the race with photos and banners honoring the victims.
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is not just a race. It is a community-wide event that honors the memories of those killed, those who survived, and those lives which were changed forever. There are many ways to participate as either a participant, volunteer, or cheerleader. If you are running, please reach out to the OSCPA at communications@oscpa.com. Despite not having a formal cheer section this year, members are welcome to park for free and cheer along the route in front of the OSCPA office.
Article written by OSCPA member, Deanne Nunn, CPA.
Deanne Nunn, CPA, spent nine years at the Oklahoma Tax Commission as a Sales Tax Audit Supervisor and CPE Program Project Manager, helping businesses navigate sales tax compliance. She’s now retired and enjoys running marathons in her spare time.