Scott Downard has won the 15th annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
The day started cloudy, with calm breezes and temperatures at the 6:30 a.m. start in the upper 50s. Skies eventually cleared about three and a half hours into the race, with bright sun beating down on runners as many crossed the marathon finish line.
Downard won Sunday's race in two hours, 31 minutes and 30 seconds, finally securing a win in his fourth attempt.
"It feels awesome. There's a lot emotion in this race, it's eluded me for a while. I've run it several times and put all my emphasis on getting the win today. I wasn't confident til I crossed the finish line," Downard said after his run.
Downard is a Norman High School cross country and track coach. He has finished no worse than third his previous three marathons. Last year, he helped a relay team win the event.
Downard graduated from Norman High in 2001, and ran collegiately for Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri and for the University of Oklahoma.
Camille Herron of Warr Acres had the best women's time for the second straight year and third time overall.
"After 20 years, I'm still inspired. I have a lot of pride to be a native Oklahoman," Herron said.
Herron finished the race in two hours, 54 minutes and 55 seconds, becoming the first runner to win the marathon three times. It's also her 18th career marathon victory and fourth in Oklahoma. She was the only female runner to finish the race in less than three hours.
Herron recently won the national ultramarathon title and was named to the U.S. National Team.
Scott Smith from Oklahoma City won the men’s half marathon with a time of one hour, six minutes and 53 seconds. Iowa native and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center student Ashley Miller was the top women’s half marathon finisher with a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 54 seconds.
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