Route 66 Blue Whale RunSaturday, May 30th5K- 8:30AMOne Mile Fun Run - 8AMDo you Love to visit the Blue Whale? Have you always wanted to run or walk on Route 66? Well now you have the opportunity to do BOTH!Join us to celebrate the 100th year of Route 66 with walking or running a 5K or a one mile fun run on the original Route 66 road. Come for the run, stay for the PARTY!
- All runners in the 5K will recieve a finishers medal.
- Shirts will be available on a first come-first serve basis. Register early to make sure you get one.
- 5 year standard age group awards.
- Top 3 over-all male and females will get awards.
- Certified 5K race course.
- Virtual option available to those that can't make it to the race.
Packet pickup will be available on Friday, May 29th at: TBDRace day packet pickup will be available at the Blue Whale race site starting at 7AM and will go until the races start. On-line Registration will be available until the races start. For race day registration just sign up on your phone and walk up and pick up your packet at the packet pickup site.
Parking on race day will be located at: TBD
For nearly a century, Route 66 has embodied the spirit of exploration and optimism that defines Oklahoma,” said Sterling Zearley, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. “As we look ahead to the centennial, we’re not just celebrating our past, we’re inviting a new generation of travelers to discover why bold truly belongs here. The Mother Road tells a story of progress, resilience, and connection, and Oklahoma will continue to lead that story into its next hundred years.”
“The creation of the Mother Road in 1926 connected Oklahoma to the rest of the country and became a thread that wove together countless lives and communities. The centennial is not just a moment to look back — it’s an opportunity to look forward,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “We’re working to ensure Route 66 remains a living, breathing experience for generations to come.”
Oklahoma’s Route 66 Centennial programming will see a series of statewide celebrations that bring together travelers, historians, and road trippers from around the world. Details on individual events, partnerships, and promotional campaigns will be announced throughout 2026.
Official Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial events are made possible through the generous support of our committed sponsors, both local and national.
The Blue Whale of Catoosa has become a beloved historic landmark along Route 66. The Blue Whale was originally built by Hugh S. Davis, a zoologist and family man who envisioned the whale as a special place where his grandchildren could play and swim in the nearby pond. His sketches of the mammal grew until they reached 20 feet tall and 80 feet long. With the help of a friend, Harold Thomas, the duo spent two years welding the metal framework and applying the hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time. After the whale's completion in July 1972, it attracted visitors from all over and became a place where people swam, fished, and picnicked.
While swimming in the pond is no longer allowed, you can pack a picnic lunch and head to the Blue Whale for a fun-filled day of fishing or feeding the turtles. Restroom facilities are available. The City of Catoosa owns and operates the park and will be breaking ground on park renovations in the summer of 2025. This area has been a family favorite for generations and continues to be a must-see for any traveler on Route 66.
