Are You Running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon This Year?

By Deanne Nunn, CPA

Every year, thousands of runners take to the streets of Oklahoma City for the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Runners compete in one of many events: the kid’s marathon, senior marathon, 5k, half marathon, relay or full marathon during the last weekend in April. 

Many OSCPA members participate in the race every year in one form or another. Since the OSCPA’s relocation to 50th and Shartel last year, the half and full-marathon participants run directly in front of the OSCPA’s offices. 

With the April 28 race being just past the April 15 tax filing deadline, those in public accounting have unique challenges with training during the busy season. This article catches up with several OSCPA members on their experience with running marathons and advice on training during busy season.

To Cynthia Cox, CPA, president of Cox Holstead & Associates, PC, the best part of running is the community.

“Runners, for the most part, are very supportive of other runners. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are. Miles are miles,” said Cox.

She started running later in life and signed up for her first half marathon in the OKC Marathon in April 2020. The pandemic got in the way of her plans and the marathon was postponed to October. Instead of settling for the half marathon, Cynthia used the delay to increase her miles over the summer with plans to complete her first full marathon by the October race date.

She was thrown yet another curveball when the OKC Marathon went virtual in October 2020. She remained undeterred and mapped out her virtual race route. On race day, Cynthia was joined by fellow member and husband, Douglas Holstead, CPA, as her support team providing refills of water, nutrition and encouragement along the way. She has since run the in-person full OKC Marathon as well as the half marathon twice. She was even featured on the cover of the Daily Oklahoman as she crossed the finish line in 2022.  

Cox will be running this year’s OKC half marathon and has advice for other practitioners running during busy season.

“Keep to a plan and find a running club in your area for support,” Cox said. “It is important to tend to your health when you are spending so much time in a chair staring at a computer.”

“Since the OKC Memorial Marathon is so soon after the tax deadline, training is a great opportunity to remind you to get up and get moving.”

Running marathons can be addictive. Just ask Jeff Frable, CPA, partner at CCK Strategies. In 2014, Frable was 25 states into his lofty goal of running a marathon in every state. To provide an update, he is now up to 36 states.

However, his goal evolved when he got the bug for the Boston Marathon, which he has run three times. For those not familiar with racing, you must qualify for the Boston Marathon by meeting a qualifying time for your age at another marathon. Jeff’s advice for those taking up running: Have a goal. Have a plan. Work the plan. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun and roll with the punches that running can throw at you—injury, bad runs, etc.

Frable recently completed his 50th marathon and his best advice for those training during busy season is to schedule time during your day or the runs will never happen on their own.

If you also want to challenge your fall tax return deadlines, try one of the races in the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa this November. The two largest marathons in Oklahoma are the April Run to Remember Marathon and the November Route 66 Marathon. The two races have teamed up for the Oklahoma Standard Challenge: Run the full or half marathon in both races during the same calendar year, and you will receive a special commemorative Oklahoma Standard medal at the Williams Route 66 Marathon Finish Line.

Brian Tims, CPA, assurance partner market leader for the Tulsa Office of Eide Bailly, has advice for those training during busy season: Make time for running and training during busy season. It is needed for mental health in busy season more than any other time of the year.

Tims said, “I find time by getting up early, but everyone needs to find what works for them.”

He has advanced past running just marathons and now also enjoys hiking and playing soccer. His marathon experience includes the St. Jude Marathon, Chicago Marathon, OKC Marathon, and Route 66, as well as trail races. The best part of running for him is the opportunity to be outside and clear his mind.

Runners choose races for a variety of reasons. For the OKC Marathon, the reason is often more personal. The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is the “Run to Remember” because we run to remember the lives of those killed, those who survived and those who are changed forever by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The race is the largest fundraiser for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, whose mission is:

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those who changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

Shannon Brown, CPA, controller of Pumps OK, has participated in many of the OKC Marathon races over the years. Most recently she has power walked the half marathon and has run a relay leg so many years she has lost count. Brown’s reason for running the OKC Marathon is not because she is particularly fond of running.

“I run to remember as one way to honor those who lost their lives on April 19, their families, and the people who worked so tirelessly to help in the aftermath,” Brown said. “I run because I’m proud of our city’s response and character. I run to never forget Sharon of my church family, who died that morning as she worked in the SSA office.”

Brown plans to power walk the half marathon again this year.

The run honors and remembers the lives of those killed—not just at the start with 168 seconds of silence, but throughout the race with photos and banners honoring the victims.

Runners will pass by the OSCPA offices around mile 7, shortly after conquering the famous Gorilla Hill on Shartel as they turn onto 50th Street. If you’re not a runner, consider cheering on all the participants as they pass by the OSCPA offices or volunteering on the racecourse.

If interested in more information about cheering on the runners, please contact the OSCPA at communications@oscpa.com.

Now, mark your calendars for April 28, 2024, and lace up those sneakers!

Deanne Nunn, CPA, works for the Oklahoma Tax Commission and enjoys running half marathons in her spare time.