TULSA, Okla. — Thousands of people are expected to spend the weekend in Tulsa for the 14th annual Route 66 Marathon.
Officials say the big event brings in millions for the city.
More than 11,000 runners will pass through the Cox Business Center Friday to pick up their packets and race bibs.
Destiny Green, Route 66 Marathon Executive Director, said runners come from every state and more than 10 countries.
While runners are picking up their packets, they also have a chance to shop with nearly 100 vendors at the Health and Wellness Expo at the Cox Business Center.
"We have a lot of different people here. You can buy running gear, shirts, home goods," said Green. We have our charity partners here. You can learn about yoga and see all kinds of different things. You can even get some home repairs done."
Green said the sales tax from the expo and the thousands of runners staying a full weekend in Tulsa gives the city’s economy an $8 million boost.
“When you have that many runners coming into Tulsa to run the race, you have people in the hotels," said Green. "They’re out eating with their families and they bring in their families to watch them run and so a lot of people turn this into a long weekend and a mini-vacation of sorts.”
Money raised from the marathon goes to several local charities including the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the VFW Post 577.
The first event, the 5k, kicks off at 8 Saturday morning.
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