Gearing Up for 11th Williams Route 66 Marathon
Tulsa, OK (PRWEB) September 21, 2016 -- The Williams Route 66 Marathon, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, is in full swing preparing for the 11th annual event. The marathon includes a weekend full of events for all ages and skill levels, taking place on the weekend of November 18-20, 2016.
While the event celebrates health, fitness and accomplishing personal goals, this race has become an economic staple for the Tulsa community. For over a decade, the marathon has generated an $8 million economic impact to the community. This figure includes more than $200,000 in direct donations to Tulsa charities, which are raised with the event’s Charity Challenge.
“Tulsa is a highly philanthropic community and our race is very diligent about reflecting that mindset,” says Route 66 Marathon Director Kim Hann. “The Williams Route 66 Marathon is about accomplishing personal goals while giving back to a cause. This year, our event will benefit the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Folds of Honor Foundation, Tulsa Habitat for Humanity, Tulsa Area United Way and the Tulsa SPCA.”
In fact, by participating in the charity challenge, participants can receive a free entry to all of the weekend events just by raising money for any of the five chosen charities.
The Williams Route 66 Marathon has grown from 3,000 participants in its first year to an expected sellout race with 15,000 participants for 2016. Last year, the race celebrated its 10th anniversary, brining runners from all 50 states and over 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Argentina, Italy, Cayman Islands and China.
“We have been committed over the past decade to not only host a destination race with a tremendous impact on the Tulsa economy, but we have worked on obtaining the highest standards for being an environmentally friendly event,” says Hann. “We’ve replaced all paper goods with recyclable materials or compostable materials, we donate all excess supplies, such as water and clothing, and use environmentally friendly chemicals to clean the roads after our event. With these efforts, the Williams Route 66 Marathon has become a zero waste event.”
Becoming a zero waste event is a major accomplishment for the race. Because the Williams Route 66 Marathon isn’t just a 26.2-mile race, it was a long road to achieve the status it has today.
The Route 66 Marathon is a weekend full of events, starting with a Health, Fitness and Sustainability Expo on November 18 and 19. The Health, Fitness and Sustainability Expo is free and open to the public. With more than 100 vendors, this is Northeast Oklahoma’s largest health, fitness and sustainability expo.
The 5K run and walk, one-mile fun run and mascot dash are on November 19, starting and finishing at Guthrie Green in the Brady Arts District. Then on November 20, the marathon, half-marathon and relay begin at 8 a.m. in downtown Tulsa, finishing at Guthrie Green in the Brady Arts District.
The three races on Sunday aren’t just for the participants. This is time for the community to find a spot on the course, make banners and cheer on participants from around the globe. Visit http://www.route66marathon.com for more information on the weekend’s events, registration and more on the history of this beloved Tulsa event.
About the Williams Route 66 Marathon
The 11th Anniversary Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, is set for Friday-Sunday, November 18-20, 2016, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend includes the two-day Health, Fitness and Sustainability Expo, marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K run and walk, a one-mile fun run and walk, and the ever popular mascot dash. Post-race activities at Tulsa’s Guthrie Green in the Brady Arts District include free live music, a car show and fun for the entire family. For more information visit http://www.route66marathon.com.
Contact: Ally Lightle
Phone: 918-408-1208
Ally Lightle, Resolute PR, +1 (918) 408-1208, [email protected]
Share this article