Oklahoma City's Redbud Classic

Started in the early 1980's, the Redbud Classic has become an Oklahoma City tradition for fitness and community support. The event takes place over two days in early April and features USATF-sanctioned marathons, bicycling, children's run, team challenges and more.

Many Oklahoma City organizations have benefited from the more than a quarter of a million dollars raised by the Redbud Classic. Such beneficiaries include the Junior Achievement, Lyric Theater, American Diabetes Association, a Chance to Change, Infant Crisis Services, Children's Medical Research, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Children's Theatre, the Tripp Lewallen Memorial Foundation, Positive Tomorrows, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Schools for Healthy Lifestyles and Boys Ranch Town.

The Redbud Classic features a 5k run, a 10k run and a half marathon. There is also a Children's Fitness Run that is free for kids ages 1-12.

Bicycle races are also an important part of the Redbud Classic. USCF-sanctioned events, bicycle race options include 10 mile, 33 mile or 50 mile.

All of the Redbud events take place in Northwest Oklahoma City and Nichols Hills. The running events trace the streets of Nichols Hills north of NW 63rd, just off Penn while the bicycle races start and finish on 63rd and Waterford, just west of Martin Luther King Ave.

Before the race, you can register online or in person until April 4th at:

6440 Avondale, Suite 201
Nichols Hills Plaza
NW 63rd & Western

Registration forms are available at:

• MidFirst Bank locations
• Redbud Registration Office
• St. Anthony Hospital
• St. Anthony North

You can also download the registration form in Adobe PDF format online and mail it with your registration fee (see below) to:

Redbud Classic
Nichols Hills Plaza
6440 Avondale Drive, Suite 207 A
Oklahoma City, OK 73116

If pre-registering, entry fees are $25 for individual events, $40 for both a Saturday and Sunday event. Race-day registration is $35 and $45.

Special Redbud lodging is available at the Waterford Marriott for $99. Call (405) 848-4782 for reservations.

Parking is available at Penn Square Mall in the NW corner of the lot near U.M.B. Bank as well as at the Glenbrook Center at NW 63rd & Grand. No parking on race course or any city streets. Entrants are encouraged to park at the Waterford Complex (before 7am on the 5th and before 1pm on the 6th).

Have fun in the Redbud events with your friends and family by competing in the team challenge. For adults, there is a general, open category and one for collegiate-level teams. For the kids, the categories are high school and middle school. There is also a non-competitive, adult/youth walk of 2 miles. The minimum team size is 3, and there is no max.

The bicycle races and the children's run will take place on Saturday, April 4th while the runs and the non-competitive, 2 mile walk will be held on Sunday, April 5th.

For a complete schedule breakdown, see the Redbud Classic schedule page.

In addition to all the fitness events, the 2009 Redbud Classic will include a couple of entertainment and dining experiences for participants.

There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to kick things off. It will take place at the Waterford Complex building and is free, courtesy of the Waterford Marriott and Oklahoma Natural Gas. Donations are welcome and will directly benefit Boys Ranch Town.

Saturday evening will feature Pasta on the Pond from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Waterford Pond. Bring a blanket and your friends to enjoy a pasta buffet, courtesy of Bellini's and Ben E. Keith. There will be live entertainment for all ages and special activities for children.