One of the world’s largest lasers to light up Memorial Marathon weekend in OKC

Near the starting line of this year’s Memorial Marathon, a massive laser known as The Architect will produce a beam of light nearly 10 miles into the sky. It’s one of the largest lasers in the world, and one of only two like it in the United States. Lighting expert Austin Smith is behind it.

“This Architect looks like it’s something out of a movie, like a high-tech super movie,” he said.

He said he couldn’t contain his excitement when he first opened it in the garage last week.

“I’m mind blown, it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before,” Smith said. “They've got big individual diodes with these mirrors on them that telescope up to keep the beams tight to allow all that power to go through one beam.”

The 500-watt laser will serve as a symbol of hope and remembrance during the marathon weekend, fitting perfectly with this year’s theme: “A Day of Darkness – Years of Light.”

“It’s just a static beam going straight up and down, literally being the light,” he said.

Smith, who has designed lighting displays for the marathon for years, says the new beam is a new addition to his collection of lasers and cutting-edge lighting effects.

“The unity, the remembrance, bringing a whole city together, it’s a pretty cool thing,” he said.”

In addition to the Architect, several 6-watt lasers will project inspirational light displays toward nearby buildings like the Regency.

“It's a day of just everyone being together like running for one cause,” he said. 

To honor those we lost, those who survived, and those forever changed.

If you want to see the laser in action, you can. Smith is inviting the public to view the display, with several opportunities, beginning Friday night at 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum, near the starting line.

The FAA approved Smith’s request to use the powerful beam all weekend.

Here’s the schedule, you can come out and see Smith run the laser, take pictures or ask him questions:

1. Friday, April 25th: 8 pm - Midnight
2. Saturday, April 26th: 5 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
3. Saturday, April 26th: 8 p.m. - Midnight
4. Sunday, April 27th: 5 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.