TULSA, Oklahoma -
The Tulsa Run celebrated its 35th race Saturday morning. From long time runners...
"This is actually my 35th year," said runner Robert Maddy.
To first time runners...
"I decided to just go ahead and start out with the 15k Tulsa Run, why not?" said runner Bri Demarco.
This year's Tulsa Run was bigger and better than ever.
"All these people excited about running and being fit, Tulsa should be very happy," said Ray Hoyt; Tulsa Sports Commission Sr. Vice President.
More than 9,800 runners laced up and in some cases dressed up, to be a part of the 35th Tulsa Run. Whether in costume, or not, everyone had a goal for the 9.3 mile jaunt.
"My goal is to finish and not be last," said Bri Demarco.
"An hour and a half." said Beth Dickten of Westville.
"I'm wogging, it's kind of a walk/jog thing that they've named my stride, so I will finish and finish gracefully," said runner Doug Hill.
Hill was part of the first ever Tulsa Run. He has hit the pavement every year since. Now, he runs for fun and health, but 35 years ago, his reasons for running were different.
"One of the reasons was we heard there was free beer at the end of it," said Doug Hill.
There were 22 others who've been part of the Tulsa Run all 35 years it's been around, including Robert Maddy.
The 1978 run was his first race, ever.
"It turned out okay, there was like a 1,070 or something like that in the first one. Back in the old days it used to be more competitive where the time was important," said Robert Maddy.
Back then, Maddy was 31, so his finish time has changed a bit, but not too bad.
"It was right at 70 minutes. Today, it was around 93," said Robert Maddy.
But not everyone was on the road to run.
"For me, if I wasn't going to win I wasn't going to do it, so I thought, I'll be on the sidelines," said supporter Ann Walton.
Win or lose, it's clear by watching the finish line, which everyone came out on top.
The Tulsa Sports Commission says there were 4,701 registered for the 15k; 3,381 registered for the 5k; and 1,725 registered for the 2k.
In the 15k, Julius Kogo, 27, finished in 44:36; Samuel Ndereba, 35, came in a very close second with a time of 44:36 and Robert Letting, 28, finished third with a time of 44:38.
A 15k is the equivalent of about 9.3 miles.
Kristen Radcliff, of Tulsa, was the first Oklahoma female finisher. Silas Kisorio of Edmond was the first male Oklahoma finisher with a time of 47:49.
Camp Fire Green Country was the primary beneficiary of the race. Camp Fire received a donation of $25,000 from the Tulsa Sports Commission and Tulsa Run, which the organization will use to assist in its service of more than 3,500 boys and girls, pre-K through high school.
The race began at 7th Street and Boulder Avenue and finished up at 5th and Boulder.
The last mile of the race is dedicated to Jack Wing, the voice of the Tulsa Run, according to a news release. The Jack Wing Memorial Mile began at 18th and Boston Avenue.
The starting line of the 2012 Tulsa run.
And they're off!
