John Lively Memorial 5k Run

About the Festival and Run:  The Wewoka Sorghum Festival is an award-winning celebration honoring the age-old art of making sorghum molasses and the traditions and cultures of the community of Wewoka, one of the oldest and most historic towns in Oklahoma. Started in 1976 by the Seminole Nation Museum and Wewoka Rotary Club, the festival draws crowds of over 25,000 to central Oklahoma on the fourth Saturday in October. Visitors come from across Oklahoma, the US, and abroad to imerse themselves in the vibrant history of the capital of the great Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

2023 marks the 30th running of the John Lively Memorial 5K race the morning of the festival. Honoring long-time Rotarian and community leader John Lively, the race/walk will start and finish in front of the Seminole Nation Museum at 6th St. and Wewoka Ave.  After the race participants can enjoy the parade and other festival activites going on just a few blocks away in downtown Wewoka.    

Cost, Regsitration, and T-shirts: The price to pre-register is $30 and race day registration will be available for $35. The first 50 entrants will receive race t-shirts.  For more information, contact Wewoka Sorghum Festival at 405-257-5485 or visit www.sorghumfestivalok.org

The 5k Course: The race will be held on a certified 5k course that starts and finishes at the Seminole Nation Museum.   See below for course map.

Awards: Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers.  There will be medals for the top 3 males and females in each age group.  USATF age groups will be used going up to 70 and over. 

After the Race:  Join us at the festival after the race and experience over 150 craft and food booths; a car show; parade, art & photography show, watch the mule-powered mill squeeze juice from the sorghum cane and see it cooked to syrup over an open fire; experience over a dozen historic reenactors and artisans on the grounds of the Seminole Nation Museum; taste Indian Fry Bread with hot sorghum and other delicious Native and local foods at the museum. And Much, much more!