Tulsa World: Race's numbers sprint ahead

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Race's numbers sprint ahead
Surpassing last year's figures, more than 9,000 runners have signed up for Saturday's Tulsa Run.

By MICHAEL OVERALL World Staff Writer
Published: 10/30/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 10/30/2009 9:46 AM

Read all of the World’s coverage of this year’s run and get answers to your frequently asked questions.

With the sluggish economy, officials were bracing for a low turnout at this year's Tulsa Run.

Instead, registrations are slightly outpacing last year's, with more than 9,000 runners signed up by Thursday afternoon for Saturday morning's race.

The number might top 10,000 before the starter gun fires, making it one of the biggest crowds in the event's history, said race director Marcia Whitaker.

"There seems to be more coming from out of state," she said. "And, of course, that's good for Tulsa."

In 1978, the first-annual Tulsa Run attracted only 1,300 runners, mostly locals.

And 31 years later, locals still provide the bulk of the crowd.

"It's a big Tulsa tradition now," Whitaker said. "People who live here want to be able to say they did the Tulsa Run at least once. It's like being a part of the club."

Only a few city blocks will separate the starting point from the finish line, with the race beginning in front of the Tulsa World building at Third Street and Boulder Avenue and winding up next to the BOK Center at Second Street and Denver Avenue.

The 15-kilometer race, however, takes a scenic route through Cherry Street, past Swan Lake and Woodward Park, then stretches nearly two miles down Riverside Drive before it makes a U-turn and returns to downtown.

By the end, runners will cover 9.3 miles.

"We wanted to show some of the best parts of Tulsa," Whitaker said.

"People know that the Tulsa Run really is all about Tulsa and having pride in Tulsa, and that's why people keep supporting it year after year."

The Tulsa Run also includes a 5-kilometer race and 2-kilometer "fun run." The 5k will start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and the 2k at 9:15 a.m.

The 15k will start at 9 a.m., with the fastest runners usually finishing within 50 minutes.

Runners can pick up their official race packets from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa Learning Center, 43rd Street and Yale Avenue.

Out-of-town runners can pick up packets from 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday at the start line.

Michael Overall 581-8383
michael.overall@tulsaworld.com By MICHAEL OVERALL World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (10/30/2009 10:09:48 AM) Runners will always find a way to make it to races. I do myself. Good luck to you all tomorrow.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/30/2009 2:45:20 PM) I plan on not being there. Good luck to you Arby and M_Sizzle.
	Report Comment M_Sizzle, Tulsa (10/30/2009 2:33:00 PM) I plan on taking short cuts and making a top ten finish.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/30/2009 2:33:51 PM) I plan on being dropped off via taxi near the finish. :)

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