NEW COURSE, NEW LOGO HELP COMMEMORATE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF WILLIAMS ROUTE 66 MARATHON
Tulsa, Okla. (May 14, 2010) – To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Williams Route 66 Marathon, the 2010 races include several changes to provide a better experience for participants, spectators and citizens. Each new addition allows the Williams Route 66 Marathon to better align with the history and community of both Tulsa and Route 66.
Notable additions to the race course include scenic runs through the Swan Lake neighborhood in midtown and through the Cascia Hall Preparatory School near Utica Square. The Williams Route 66 Marathon and Half Marathon will still begin and end at Veteran’s Park at 18th Street and Boulder Ave.
“The Cascia Hall community is pleased to be a part of the Williams Route 66 Marathon. Our students and families are excited about getting involved and supporting this wonderful event,” said Thomas Perrault, Cascia Hall’s athletic director. “We look forward to sharing the beauty and inspiration of our campus with runners and fans from all over the world, and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Tulsa community which has supported this Catholic, Augustinian school for 85 years.”
Both the marathon and half marathon course will include these new additions. The Williams Route 66 Marathon will continue to include the popular loops through downtown Tulsa and of course, Riverside Drive.
“The new course allows us to show off more of what makes Tulsa special to our local, regional, national and international participants,” said Chris Lieberman, executive director of Tulsa Route 66 Marathon, Inc. “These beautiful areas are staples in the Tulsa landscape and truly showcase the heart of our city.”
The course changes will also allow the marathon to stay north of 71st Street and Riverside Drive, which will keep 71st Street and the 71st Street bridge open to traffic.
The Swan Lake area will be located approximately 2.5 miles into the marathon and half marathon courses. Participants will travel through the Cascia Hall campus 3.75 miles into the marathon and half marathon courses.
“The Swan Lake neighborhood is proud to be part of the Williams Route 66 Marathon in 2010,” said Caroline Benediktson, Swan Lake Neighborhood Association board member. “The timing is perfect because we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Swan Lake Park this year and invite all Route 66 runners to be part of our birthday celebration.”
Course maps with elevation charts are available online at www.route66marathon.com.
In addition to the new course, members of the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon, Inc., board of directors also unveiled the new logo for the Williams Route 66 Marathon and Williams Route 66 Quarter Marathon this week.
The previous logo was a design based on last year’s winning medal design while the new logo utilizes a modern design and incorporates the date of the marathon and the new presenting sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. The new medal design will be used in conjunction with the logo after it’s unveiled at the Williams Route 66 Quarter Marathon on August 7, 2010.
About the Williams Route 66 Marathon
The Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, Okla., is set for Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, and the Williams Route 66 Quarter Marathon is Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. Events are held annually the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the first Saturday in August, respectively. The fifth anniversary of the Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend includes a two-day health and fitness expo, pasta dinner, marathon, half marathon, five-person marathon relay, 5K run/walk, and a one-mile fun run/walk. Post-race festivities include concerts and a classic car show. To learn more about the events, sponsoring, training or volunteering, please e-mail [email protected], call (918) 409-2828, or visit www.route66marathon.com and www.quartermarathon.com.
