Jan. 14, 2016

Blue Cross Sponsors 2015 Route 66 Marathon

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) is proud to have been the presenting sponsor of the 10th annual Williams Route 66 Marathon, held Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 in Tulsa.

On Friday, participants picked up their race packets at the Health, Fitness and Sustainability Expo at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa. Attendees at the Expo stopped by the BCBSOK booth to learn about our company, ask health care questions at the Mobile Assistance Center (MAC), and pick up neck warmers, hot/cold packs and cowbells. Plus, five lucky visitors won $75 gift cards to sporting goods stores!

The 5K, Fun Run and Mascot Dash brought thousands of people to downtown Tulsa on a chilly Saturday morning. BCBSOK’s mascot Blaze the Braggin’ Blue Dragon participated in the Mascot Dash event, racing other local mascots in front of cheering fans. On Sunday, about 13,000 runners participated in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay events. The weekend’s events sold out, with nearly 16,000 registered participants for all the events combined. More than 1,500 volunteers helped ensure the weekend was safe and successful.

More than 90 BCBSOK volunteers hosted a water stop in Woodward Park to support the race participants on Sunday. Volunteers passed out water cups and motivated full, half and relay marathon runners to press on towards the finish line.

This year’s marathon benefited five charities:  Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Folds of Honor Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa Area United Way and the Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Congratulations to the 2015 Williams Route 66 Marathon participants!