OKC Memorial and Museum CEO on the excitement of race day

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon honors the 168 lives lost in the 1995 bombing through a weekend of races that support the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

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Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum CEO Kari Watkins spoke with News 9's Alexis Young just before the start of Sunday morning's events.

Watkins said the 25th year of the marathon marks a quarter century of the city persevering and working together, united.

The weather cooperated on Sunday, after lightning and flash flooding postponed Saturday's events.

26,000 runners participated on Sunday, with 3,000 kids and seniors waiting to run later this week.

Watkins expressed gratefulness for law enforcement and volunteers and said government officials at every level were a part of the 12-month planning process to make sure runners are safe.

WATCH OUR FULL SPECIAL: Run To Remember

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a powerful annual event held in downtown Oklahoma City, commemorating the lives lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Established in 2001, the marathon has grown into a weekend-long series of races and events, attracting over 25,000 participants across the United States and beyond.

The marathon serves as the primary fundraiser for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. 168 banners will be displayed along the route, each bearing the name of a bombing victim.

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