Amateur Radio Operator Volunteer Registration

Volunteer registration is open for the 2025 Marathon. You can sign up at this link: https://coraok.org/signup/ 

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was organized to be a Run To Remember for those who died, those who survived, and those whose lives were changed forever, in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995.  It is usually held on the last Sunday of April each year. This year, it will be April 26th and 27th, 2025.

Operations and Duty Stations

This year, 60+ amateur radio operators are needed to cover the entire course with public service communications. We have operators that operate in all of these locations:

• at each of the 16 medical tents on the course
• this year, there will be no relay races, so those positions aren’t available
• net control operators
• five SAG vehicles
• five water and ice trucks
• in the lead vehicle for the full and half marathons
• tail-end Charlie following the last runner
• operators at the “kids’ corral” at the end of the kids’ race
• radio observers along the “last mile”
• operators on Saturday for medical tent operations, lost parents, and other positions
• operators at the Regional Emergency Operations Center in OKC
• running in the race
• and other assignments that may be needed.

Registration

Volunteer registration is now open at this link: https://coraok.org/signup/. You can join the OKC Memorial Marathon (OCMM) AUXCOMM group by clicking here to keep up with the current activities, share your pictures and experiences, or get more information there. You can also get added to the email list by emailing [email protected]. Be a part of this exciting amateur radio community event.

Pre-Brief Meeting

A pre-brief meeting will be held for all amateur radio operator volunteers on April 21st at the OKC Fire Training Center, 820 N Portland, Oklahoma City, 73107. At this meeting, T-shirts, credential packets (for those in the downtown area), frequency cards, and other necessary information will be distributed.

Daily Schedules

The Saturday race day usually begins at about 0600 with an on-site check-in, and operators will be released by 1200.  The Saturday races include the 5K Race, Senior Marathon, Kids Marathon, Health & Fitness Expo, and Finish Line Festival.

The Sunday race day usually begins at about 0600 with an on-site check-in, and most operators should be released by 1400.  It is an enriching experience to see and assist runners from all over the world. Sunday’s races include the Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and Finish Line Festival.

Most radio operators need a good mobile or base unit with an external antenna. Depending on your assigned location, an HT with an external antenna, spare battery packs, or an external power supply may also work. Please visit your designated area and test your radios with the repeaters used. No experience is necessary. You will be placed with an experienced operator if you’re new to this activity. Stay flexible and able to adapt to course changes and changes in the weather (hot, cold, rain, hail, wind, etc.). Make sure you follow the marathon communications plan.

Odds and Ends

Again this year, there will be a NO WEAPONS policy—open or concealed—for any part of the marathon.

This is the primary fundraiser for the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum. It usually raises about 1 million dollars annually, with about 25,000 entrants expected in 2025. The amateur radio community contributes over $65,000 in volunteer time and equipment to the museum annually.

As we are officially members of the OCMM operation, we will all have a background check as part of the registration. Please fill out all the boxes as you sign up to expedite the process. Please send any special needs and/or comments to [email protected].

Sign up today and get in on the fun!