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The 2020 Williams Route 66 Marathon is Going Virtual

The Williams Route 66 Marathon is going virtual! While we know it’s not quite the same as an in-person race, we believe that the best way to keep everyone safe and still experience some of that Route 66 magic is to move to a virtual event. This isn’t just going to be any old virtual race, though – your race packet will come packed with surprises, as well as a specially designed hoodie and medal! 

This was supposed to be our 15th-anniversary event, so it’s especially hard to let go. With that in mind, we’re calling this our 14 ½ – year anniversary and celebrating the main event next year! We have three options for registered participants:

  • Participate in our virtual event, to be held the weekend of November 21-22, 2020.
  • Donate the value of your registration to Kicks for Kids, the official charity of the Williams Route 66 Marathon.
  • Defer your registration to 2021 or 2022.

Registered participants have one week to select their preferred option. If an option is not selected during the 7-day window, the registration will automatically be donated to Kicks for Kids. 

Virtual Event

Registered participants who choose to participate in our virtual event will complete their race distance during this year’s race weekend, November 21-22, 2020, and will receive a $15 discount off of the registration fee for next year’s race. Virtual participants will receive a special 14 ½ – year anniversary medal and a hoodie to commemorate this unique year, and you know we take our medals and swag very seriously, so it’s going to be good! The Oklahoma Standard challenge will still be in effect, so once all of the virtual race times are uploaded, you’ll receive your Oklahoma Standard medal in the mail. You will have until December 1 to submit the results of your virtual race.

Donation

Registered participants Kicks for Kids is the official charity of the Williams Route 66 Marathon. Our innovative program pairs Williams Route 66 Marathon race directors with local Title I Elementary Schools not served by the YMCA to help kids complete their first 5k at the Williams Route 66 Marathon race weekend. Donating your registration to Kicks for Kids could help an underserved child discover a lifelong love of running, and what could be more rewarding than giving the gift of running to someone else?

Deferral

Participants who choose to defer their registration may defer to 2021 or 2022. We want you to have options, and we’d love to have you join us and ROCK the Route in the future!

This decision was not made lightly, and we are deeply saddened that we won’t get to welcome you across the finish line in-person in November. Unfortunately, the burden on our healthcare system meant that we would not be able to properly staff our medical team with volunteers. As a result, we could not guarantee the health and safety of our participants at the event, which is our highest priority. Additionally, as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the extremely high cost that would be incurred in order to produce an in-person event would also have negatively impacted the ability of our organization to carry out our charitable mission in the future.  

We know that you are just as sad as we are about the cancellation of this year’s event. We promise to make 2021 even better than ever to celebrate! In the meantime, let’s stay in touch on social media as we continue to use running as a way to stay healthy and reduce stress during this time. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get connected and stay connected. 

FAQs:

What will come in my race packet?

Your race packet will arrive right before race weekend with everything you need to ROCK the Route virtually! You’ll receive a hoodie as your participant swag, plus a special 14 ½ medal commemorating the 2020 race, which we’re calling our 14 ½ -year anniversary! This is one unique medal that you don’t want to miss out on. We’ll also include some special surprises that will bring some of that special Tulsa block-party magic to your virtual race day.

 

How/when do I submit my results?  

You will submit your results through your participant account between November 22 – December 1, 2020 dates. We will send out a comprehensive email with instructions on how to do so closer to November. You are able to submit your results via a link, a photo, or supported wearable devices. If you are completing your run or walk outdoors, many types of apps and watches/devices will record your distance and time. If you are using a treadmill, a photo of the display will be accepted. You can enter a link to a public page from an app, take a screenshot from your phone, or take a photo of your watch or your treadmill. Please be sure to record both your distance and time. 

Can I receive a refund instead? 

We’re not able to offer refunds for this year’s event, but we do offer the option to defer your entry to our 2021 or 2022 races. Additionally, those who choose to participate in our virtual race will receive a $15 discount off of next year’s registration fee. We appreciate your understanding, as the vast majority of our costs are incurred long before race day in the form of permits and other expenses.

Will I still be eligible for the Oklahoma Standard medal? //How do I receive the Oklahoma Standard medal? 

Yes! In-person races might be canceled for the fall, but that doesn’t make your accomplishment any less impressive. Runners and walkers who participate in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon virtual event and the Route 66 Marathon virtual events will need to submit evidence of their completion time for each race, and the Oklahoma Standard medal will be mailed to all participants completing the challenge. 

How long do I have to decide on virtual? 

All registered participants have 7 days from the date of the cancellation email to choose whether to participate in the virtual event, defer their registration to 2021 or 2022, or donate their registration to Kicks for Kids. Selections must be made by August 12, 2020.

How long do I have to submit my times? 

Participants will have 10 days to submit their event times. All times must be submitted between November 21-December 1.

14 Comments

  1. Debbie Paulding on October 23, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    I’d like to turn my 13.1 miles into a self-guided tour of Tulsa, which is what I did for the Baltimore Half earlier this month. That being said, my time will be terrible! Will the recorded times go on any websites other than your own?

    Thanks much.

    • cheryl on October 27, 2020 at 8:29 pm

      Hi Debbie, That sounds awesome. we don’t plan to post anywhere other than our site/registration page. There are some third-party sites that may pickup our results from our published page, but most I think understand virtual events. Have a great run

  2. James Burian on October 31, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    For my double virtual event, I was planning on running a local 5k (Shreveport) on the 21st then walking my marathon on the 22nd. Have entered a local Half Marathon that morning (LogJammer) but will start walking my first half 2hrs 40 minutes earlier to finish just as the local Half is starting. Planning on a sub 5:30 walking pr.

    • cheryl on November 2, 2020 at 10:05 am

      That should be fine.
      Thank you!

  3. Krissy on November 15, 2020 at 6:50 am

    So I have to run the 21st or the 22nd? Or can I run anytime before Dec 1st and submit my results?

    • cheryl on November 15, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      You can run it any time between the 21st and Dec. 1

  4. PAMELA m MASSENGALE on November 17, 2020 at 10:18 am

    I still have not received pkt… I am leaving Fri to go to do 5k with friend in Bristow…. do you know if pkts have already been mailed or do I need come pick up in Tulsa Fri before we do our 5k and mile on Sat?

    • cheryl on November 17, 2020 at 1:50 pm

      We are still packing and shipping. You should receive an email with a tracking number this week. email us support@route66marathon.com if you have any other questions

  5. Brian frazer on November 20, 2020 at 1:37 pm

    I tracked my race package and it says will be delivered on thanksgiving which I think is a mistake I was hoping to get it before I did my race

    • cheryl on November 22, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Brian,
      We shipped everything from our Tulsa warehouse. We’re not quite sure why FedEx routed some packets through other states.

  6. Kathleen Villareal on November 23, 2020 at 1:42 am

    Above it says that if you do the virtual you will recieve $15 off next year. I did and when I went to sign up for the double it was $80, the same as it was on the half fanatics page. How do we claim our additional $15 off? I never recieved my packet so if it was included in the mailing I didn’t receive it .
    Thanks

    • cheryl on November 23, 2020 at 8:52 am

      You will receive your code after the early registration closes

      • D on November 23, 2020 at 10:57 pm

        So basically, we won’t be able use our “$15 off for agreeing to continue this year with the virtual” unless we wait and sign up when the prices escalate?

        • cheryl on November 24, 2020 at 3:14 pm

          Every year, we do a limited amount of special pricing. We never offer promo codes during this stage of pricing.

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