Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon changing race’s course

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Organizers of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon say they are changing the race’s course to reflect development of new public projects and help unify the city.

Race officials said Wednesday the 18-year-old marathon has outgrown its traditional space and will expand the race and its finish line south of the downtown area to reflect development of a new streetcar system and a downtown park.

The race will begin at its traditional start line outside the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, but, beginning next year, the finish line will move southwest from its location in eastern downtown.

In 2020, it will move further south to the new Scissortail Park. Mayor David Holt says the changes will help unify the downtown area with largely Hispanic areas in the city’s south side.