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Celebrating its
26th anniversary in 2008, the Redbud Classic has become
an Oklahoma City tradition involving the community
through fitness, fun and philanthropy.
The first Redbud Classic was held in the spring of 1983. It consisted of the 10 km and 2 mile road race and walk and drew approximately 1,100 participants. Over time, the Redbud has been enhanced with additional events on its roster including the 10 and 30 mile bicycle tours, the 50 mile timed bicycle event, the in-line skating event, the wheelchair event and the ever-growing baby-stroller derby. In the past twenty-four years, the Redbud Classic has attracted more than 85,000 registrants.
These figures do not reflect the growing number of children who show up each year for the free one mile Children's Fitness Run or those who enjoy in the festive atmosphere of our Saturday evening carbo-loading dinner "Pasta on the Pond."
In recent years, nationally recognized special guests and celebrities have been included in the activities by offering workshops and lectures. Past guests have included Joan Benoit Samuelson, Dr. George Sheehan, Kim Alexis, the late Jim Valvano, Casey Meyers, Dan O'Brien, Edwin Moses and Troy Aikman.
In addition to striving to offer a top quality competitive
event, the Redbud Classic has also been able to donate
over a quarter of a million dollars back to the community.
Beneficiaries began with the Oklahoma Summer Arts
Institute and have also included Junior Achievement,
Lyric Theater, the Oklahoma Chapter of the 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
and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The 2008 beneficiary
is Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.
Between the very first Redbud Classic and where it is today, the Redbud has experienced tremendous growth and strong community support. The event has been listed by "Runner's World Magazine" as one of the top 75 running events in the country and continually holds it's rank as the second largest competitive running event in the state.
After the success and restructuring of our 2000 event,
the Redbud Foundation was able to begin an endowment
to continue its future progress and improvements.
As the Redbud embarks on its 26th year of fitness,
fun and philanthropy, future participants can expect
the same excitement, enthusiasm and community involvement
that helped start the event in the spring of 1983. |
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