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Oklahoma > Spirit of Survival Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K
& 5K
Medicine
Park, OK
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Date
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Event
Details
A hilly, challenging road race that takes runners through some of the
most unique landscapes anywhere in America, the Spirit of Survival Half
Marathon is part of a weekend full of racing events that also includes
a full 26.2-mile marathon, 5K and 10K running events, a marathon relay,
a 5K walk and a "Super Kids Marathon," in which children up to age 12
run the final 1.2 miles of the full marathon to the finish line.
Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge serves as the setting for
each of the race courses, a nearly 60,000-acre pristine wilderness
established by the Fish & Wildlife Service in 1901 to protect
rare species of grasslands, American bison, Rocky Mountain elk and
white-tailed deer. As you might expect, thanks to its location the
course involves some significant hills, rising from a low of just under
1,200 feet above sea level near the start to about 1,650 feet at its
peak near the half-way point in the race, the famed Holy City of the
Wichitas, the site of a world-renowned Easter passion play.
The out-and-back course for the race, which starts and finishes in the
town of Medicine Park, offers peaceful, serene natural surroundings
throughout, including sightings of majestic Mount Scott and Elmer
Thomas Lake just outside the town. Race organizers caution runners to
be aware, however, that wild longhorn cattle and buffalo roam the
open-range lands through which the course runs, so it's possible that
you may encounter animals during the race.
It's worth noting that the town of Medicine Park itself is reason
enough to visit. Oklahoma's only "cobblestone community," the town
features many buildings and structures built from naturally formed red
granite cobblestones, which are unique to this part of the country.
Once the playground of the state's rich and (in)famous, Medicine Park
is becoming popular as an artists' town and tourist destination in its
own right.
Race
Weather & Climate
The early weeks of fall bring typically mild, pleasant weather
conditions to this corner of southwestern Oklahoma, which lies about 80
miles southwest of Oklahoma City. October temperatures average between
76°F and 51°F, while rainfall amounts average about
3.24 inches for the month, so come prepared for possibly wet weather.
Fees
$40 if registered by October 5, 2007
$50 from Oct. 6 through the day of the race
Registration
To sign up for the 2008 Spirit of Survival Marathon & Half
Marathon, register online at Active.com.
Websites
www.spiritofsurvival.com
www.medicinepark.com
Course Map
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Map
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Your Race Story
Ever run in Oklahoma's Sprit of Survival Marathon or Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Discuss it in the HalfMarathons.Net
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