Route 66 Marathon coming to Tulsa

Runners on your mark, get set, Tulsa is starting its very own marathon. The Tulsa World Route 66 Marathon will be an annual event beginning this fall. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Jennifer Loren says

Friday, April 7th 2006, 10:46 am

By: News On 6

Runners on your mark, get set, Tulsa is starting its very own marathon. The Tulsa World Route 66 Marathon will be an annual event beginning this fall.

News on 6 reporter Jennifer Loren says this is a big announcement for runners in and around Tulsa. This fall, the city will have a new annual run, the Route 66 Marathon.

Runner Chris Lieberman came up with the idea after enjoying marathons in other cities. "It's kind of like a 26.2 mile tailgate party. It just made me want to have that in my city." Runners can look forward to a full marathon, a half marathon or a marathon relay. And apparently there's already a buzz. Kathy Sager with Runners World: "It's early in the phase already and people are already getting excited about it. People have already signed up so it has potential to be huge.â€

The run will start in downtown Tulsa. They'll cross over the Arkansas River at the 11th Street Bridge and then come back across the pedestrian bridge, and then they'll continue along Riverside Drive. They'll run all the way to Jenks and then turn around at the Riverwalk Crossing.

Jack Wing with the Route 66 Marathon: "We want to showcase the river and downtown and the new area and all that and eventually use the arena as part of the Route 66 Marathon."

Avid runners like Jennifer Johnson are excited to hear the news, especially since the 26 mile marathon will be just one week after the 9-mile Tulsa Run. "That's a really good time for a marathon because everyone's training for the Tulsa Run and can go a little bit further and do a marathon. That's going to be a really good event."

And all of the run's proceeds will benefit the Tulsa Area United Way. Kathleen Coan with the Tulsa Area United Way: "And so it's going to be fun. But it's also the 65 agencies that we support through the Tulsa Area United Way, will be very grateful for the monies that will be raised."

The Route 66 Marathon will be a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. You can sign up in Tulsa area running stores or at www.route66marathon.com.