|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the Fourth Annual Spirit of Survival Marathon! This incredible, one-of-a-kind racing event offers several unique and challenging races sure to appeal to the most avid runners and wildlife enthusiasts. Featuring 5 USATF certified races, this event offers scenic and beautiful race routes in the beauty of the Wichita Mountains, a national wildlife sanctuary. The Spirit of Survival Marathon is unique because it is the only USATF certified race approved to run through one of the nation’s 547 Wildlife Refuges. For the individual looking for the ultimate wildlife racing experience, this event offers the opportunity to run while observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Saturday’s Mount Scott 5K is a certified hill run that takes place up historic Mount Scott, a paved road with an average incline of 7% all the way up. Sunday’s Marathon and Half Marathon take place on the expansive 60,000-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge teaming with wild buffalo, longhorn, elk and over 200 species of native wildlife roaming free on the open range.
With the change in event headquarters, most of the race routes have been slightly modified in some way and some of the races have been rerouted or discontinued. One change is the Big Rock 10K course. The previous 10K course took place on Big Rock in Medicine Park and was considered extremely challenging. The new Deer Creek Canyon 10K course at Lake Elmer Thomas is a flat and fast out-and-back course. Another new addition is the Lake Elmer Thomas 5K which takes place around the lake along the same route. These two races will take the place of the previous Big Rock 10K and Marathon Team Challenge which were discontinued due to logistical issues. These two certified, chip timed racing events offer an alternative for those who prefer shorter distance races.
![]() The Spirit of Survival will take place over a weekend of road racing, outdoor recreation, shopping and entertainment originating at the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area, approximately one mile south of the Historic Medicine Park community full of quaint bed & breakfast lodging, shopping and dining, and less than two miles down the road from the 60,000 acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. If you’re looking for a great marathon, you’re training for another one or are just looking for the running experience of a lifetime, this event offers a race for everyone! If you’re looking for a great marathon, you’re preparing for another one or are just looking for the running experience of a lifetime, this event offers a race for everyone! All races USATF sanctioned and certified and ChampionChip timing. The Full Marathon is a Boston Qualifying event. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the PDFs on this page.If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click here for a free download! |
![]() ![]() Copyright 2006, Southwest Oklahoma Cancer Centers. All rights reserved.
|
|