The Go Girl Run Half Marathon and 5K is specifically designed to celebrate women, health and fitness, and support the charity efforts for the chosen charity organizations. This was the inaugural Go Girl Run in Oklahoma City and it was spectacular!

The celebration of all women was palpable beginning at packet pick-up the day before the race. The expo was set up on the lawn in front of the beautiful Myriad Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City. There were several booths for shopping around including a local representative for Stella & Dot, Bondiband, Schlegel Bicycles, Runhers, Hoka One-One, Advocare, and Red Coyote, a popular OKC running specialty store. Ladies love to bargain shop and the expo provided just the setting to do so. Lots of gear was available as well as coupons for discounts at local shops.

Spring time weather can be very unpredictable in Oklahoma, but we lucked out with a gorgeous, sunny race day with little wind. The half marathon got underway at 7:00 am, followed by the 5K at 7:30. It was an impressive turn-out of about 1,010 runners, 6 of which were male. The course had a few rolling hills but nothing too devastating. The organizers also took great pride in making sure it differed from the OKC Memorial Marathon course, which many locals greatly appreciated.

At the finish, each runner received an enormous 1 pound medal and a beautifully engraved wine glass. Fresh fruit smoothies were blended on the spot and were just part of a great assortment of post-race grub that included bagels, bananas, pretzels and energy bars. A local brewery provided both light and dark beers at the finish as well. In addition, runners could get a free finisher's certificate printed out with their official finishing time.

The best part about this race was the incredible love and support in the atmosphere. The organizers sent out an email the week before the race requesting runners to stay and support the last finishers as though they were the first. It was an amazing scene as about 100 women lined the course leading to the finish line to cheer loudly for the last few finishers. The tears of emotion and love flowed freely from participants as well as spectators as we witnessed women tapping into strength they did not know existed within them.

There are three other Go Girl Runs scheduled this year throughout Missouri (Springfield, Columbia and Kansas City). I highly recommend this event for any woman looking to challenge themselves surrounded by an incredibly supportive crowd. Grab your girlfriends and make it an adventure. You won't regret it!