Record Setting Races at Tulsa’s Williams Route 66 Marathon

December 2, 2019

TULSA, Okla. Dec. 2, 2019– Two runners set records at the 2019 Williams Route 66 Marathon according to preliminary race results. Race times aren’t considered final until they are certified, but preliminary results show two runners set records in the Nov. 24^th, 2019 half marathon. Julia Webb, 36, of Little Rock, Ark., set a Guinness Book of World Records record for fastest time finishing a half marathon while pushing a child in a stroller; she was also the first female to cross the finish line in the half marathon (with that stroller) in a time of 1:21:24.

Nathan Chamer, 42, of Oklahoma City, Okla., set both an overall men’s course record for the Route 66 Marathon and the Oklahoma state record in the master’s male division in the half marathon. He was the first male across the finish line in the half marathon in a time of 1:09:35.

“Course support for the whole weekend was amazing. Our runners had a great time enjoying everything Tulsa offers. The races went smoothly, and the weather was beautiful,” Destiny Green, Executive Director for Route 66 Marathon, said.

Patty Powell, who ran her 88^th marathon overall and her 14^th Route 66 Marathon at the 2019 event, said, “My favorite thing about this race is the crowd support. The city shows up and cheers for us all along the course. It really is one big party, including adult beverages.”

On marathon weekend, about 1700 runners set off on the 26.2 mile certified course, with another nearly 3800 who ran the 13.1 mile half marathon. Many runners carried packs with between 10 and 70 pounds in them as they “rucked the route.” Ruckers earned a special patch in addition to their finisher medal.

“We appreciate our sponsors and volunteers; there is no way to bring this to Tulsa without them. Any year you set course records is a good one for runners, and we saw record setting runs this year,” said Green.

The Williams Route 66 Marathon is a perennial favorite for runners who love the community support and atmosphere they encounter in Tulsa. RaceRaves, the leading online race finder and reviews community for runners of all levels, recently named Route 66 as Oklahoma’s best half marathon in its “Runners Choice: Best Half Marathons in the U.S.” poll. The top race in each state was crowned based on votes from thousands of runners across the country, along with reviews and ratings on RaceRaves.com.

“Our runners tell us they feel the love and support from the community, and it makes a difference to them as they strive to reach their personal goal for the race. From world record-setting runs to personal records to overcoming immense personal challenges just to be on the course… we saw it all this year. Next year is our 15^th year and it will be better than ever,” Green said.

About the Route 66 Marathon

Since 2006, the Route 66 Marathon has hosted a world-class marathon weekend in the heart of Tulsa. 2020 will mark the fifteenth year for the event that has grown into “Oklahoma’s biggest block party” complete with a Health, Fitness & Sustainability Expo; Fun Run; 5K; Mascot Dash; Marathon; Half-Marathon and Marathon Relay. The 2020 events will be held November 20-21, 2020. With a focus on fun, the event offers participants unparalleled spectator support. It’s not uncommon for neighborhoods along the course to host their own unofficial aid stations and block parties to welcome the runners. The race also offers award-winning finisher medals and race premiums inspired by the classic cars from the Route 66 automobile era. Named a “Must Do Fall Race” by Runner’s World magazine, the Route 66 Marathon is truly a 26.2-mile-long party. The event brings more than 12,000 runners to the Tulsa area from all 50 states and more than 10 countries each year and has an estimated economic impact of more than $8 million dollars. Runners who complete the Center of the Universe Detour, which adds an extra 0.3-mile to the marathon, can also proudly proclaim they’ve completed the World’s Shortest Ultramarathon! And yes, there’s beer at the finish line. To learn more, visit www.Route66marathon.com or contact Mandy Vavrinak at mvavrinak@mac.com or call 918-633-4397.