First Mile is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. on July 9, at Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa’s Blue Dome store (418 E. Second St.) The event is free, and will include live bands, beer and food in addition to the fun runs/walks. The runs and walks will include a variety of distances for all skill levels.
This party atmosphere gives runners and walkers the chance to learn about the official training programs, meet training partners and begin training as a community. Participants will also have the opportunity to grab free vintage Williams Route Marathon gear. Additionally, official training gear for the 2012 Williams Route 66 Marathon family of events will be for sale for the first time at First Mile.
Official training programs for the marathon family of events are offered by Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa. The training groups at Fleet Feet can prepare runners and walkers for the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5k or one-mile fun run.
The 2012 Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, in Tulsa, Okla., is set for Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. Events are held annually the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. The seventh anniversary of the Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend includes a two-day health and fitness expo, marathon, half marathon, five-person marathon relay, 5K run/walk, and a one-mile fun run/walk. Post race activities include live music and fun for the entire family. To learn more about the events, sponsoring, training or volunteering, please visit
www.route66marathon.com or email questions to info@route66marathon.com.
The Route 66 Marathon made its inaugural debut in November 2006 with the slogan “let our first marathon be your first marathon.” The event attracted approximately 3,000 participants in marathon, half marathon and relay race events. To this day, the Williams Route 66 Marathon offer a special finishers medal to those individuals completing their first marathon in Tulsa.
Chris Lieberman, the executive director of Tulsa Route 66 Marathon, Inc., founded the marathon after committing himself to a healthy lifestyle and training and completing marathons himself. He realized the impact running and marathon training could have on an individual’s health, and the impact a world-class running event could have on a city.
Tips for training for a Williams Route 66 Marathon event:
1. Start early – training for the marathon and half marathon start in July. Getting in the mileage and the long runs are important to staying healthy and motivated to reach your goal.
2. Sign up for a training program – Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa offers the official training programs for the Williams Route 66 Marathon family of events. The trained coaches provide the expertise and knowledge that can help a runner or walker accomplish their goals.
3. Find a training partner – not only is there safety in numbers, but a training partner can be some of the best motivation and accountability available.
4. Pick the distance right for you – the Williams Route 66 Marathon event weekend offers a distance for every skill level. If you are just getting off the couch, try the one-mile fun run or the 5k. If you are ready to take your fitness to the next level, sign up for the half or the full marathon.
