Oklahoma City Marathon Adopts Coronavirus Rules for Runners

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Marathon will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the race in order to participate in the annual race.

“This Marathon stands for the same resilience of our community we saw (following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing), and we can see now,” Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Director Kari Watkins said Wednesday. “We believe we can honor those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever by running this race and honoring so many who have bravely battled this worldwide pandemic.”

The race will also be capped at 12,000 runners, half the number for the last live race in 2019, and will start in waves to allow for social distancing.

Like last year’s race, which was run virtually because of the pandemic, the 2021 race has been rescheduled for October from the traditional date in April to coincide with the anniversary of the bombing.

Also Wednesday, Oklahoma County District Judge Natalie Mai formalized her temporary injunction blocking a state law that bans schools from implementing mask mandates. Mai’s order says exemptions must be granted for medical reasons or personal objections.