Memorial Marathon champions say the city's spirit outshines any medal

For the runners who won last year's Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, the prize that lingers is not the medal but the connection with the city. Ashley Carreon and Al Maeder, who took top honors in 2025, both framed their wins as something shared with the community rather than personal triumphs.

"You can really see that community togetherness of this race, it's just really contagious," Carreon said. Maeder pointed to the pride that runners and spectators take in the event. "There are so many people who want to feel like they're representing their city in this race," he said. "It's probably the coolest part of representing as a runner."

The annual race honors the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and has earned a reputation for bringing runners and onlookers together in a distinctive way. Both champions said its meaning reaches well beyond competition, and both cited the 168 banners placed along the course in memory of those who were killed. "Seeing those banners, it's like, this isn't just a race," Carreon said.

For Carreon, the weekend has become a family occasion. Relatives travel from around the country to take part in different events. "It's become a family tradition," she said. "My parents run the 5K, my sister comes in with her kids, and they do the kids marathon." Carreon is seven months pregnant and plans to run the 5K this year. She said she hopes to pass running on to her children. "We want to be a good health example for our kids, but running has brought us so much joy," she said.

A native of Iowa, Carreon ran the 1,500 meters at the University of Nebraska before moving to Oklahoma City and moving up to longer distances. She had resisted the idea of a marathon at first, but she completed her first in 2019 and won it. She has since run the Boston Marathon and has come back to Oklahoma City every year.

Maeder's rise was slower. He ran at Norman High School and the University of Central Arkansas, and he said the marathon rewards patience. "The marathon is a race of longevity," he said. "You do it a few more times, you get better at it." He broke through in Oklahoma City in 2023 and has won several half and full marathon titles since. Known for an aggressive style, he said head-to-head competition suits him. "I'm a good racer. I can turn it on whenever a race happens," he said.

Maeder will not race in Oklahoma City this year and will instead run the Boston Marathon. He plans to return to the Oklahoma City course down the line. "I love OKC. I just wanted to change it up and let OKC sit for a year or two," he said. He added that he will still be part of race weekend, cheering on runners and taking in the atmosphere.

Both athletes said that atmosphere, a mix of resilience and remembrance, is what keeps the event resonating long after the last runner crosses the finish line.