I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about this a few weeks earlier, since it’s in my back yard. But here it is: Tulsa is hosting the inaugural Route 66 Marathon and Classic Car Parade on Nov. 16, 2006.

There is no map of the course, but the Internet site says the 26.2 miles will wind through the Brookside neighborhood, Jenks, beside the Arkansas River, around the Oklahoma Aquarium and, of course, on historic Route 66.

The site also has this info:

Approximately 30 minutes before the start of the marathon a parade of classic cars will make its way along the course, keeping well ahead of the runners and finishing downtown near the marathon finish line where they will have a classic car show and enjoy the post-race entertainment with the runners and spectators. The Event Directors believe the classic car parade will help bring out larger crowds along the course to encourage the runners while adding to the Route 66 theme of the marathon.

We believe it is important to encourage the participation of the community. 26.2 miles is a long way to run and it is much easier and more enjoyable when the route is lined with well-wishers and entertainment. We will encourage citizen and corporate participation along the course by having a contest for best-decorated business along the route, and promoting and encouraging neighborhoods to host block parties along the course. We also will work with local churches, schools and entertainers to encourage them to come out and support the runners on the course.

The Inaugural Route 66 Marathon and Classic Car Parade will be a great event for both the Tulsa and Jenks communities. Surrounding communities such as Dallas, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Little Rock have had great success with their marathons. Their events are covered live on television and generate millions of dollars annually for their cities. Like our event, theirs started with an idea and the dedication and hard work of a few individuals and organizations to get the project off the ground.

I’ve been told the Route 66 Marathon essentially replaces Tulsa’s Oklahoma Marathon, a small event usually held a couple weeks after the popular Tulsa Run. So it looks like organizers are trying to make Tulsa’s marathon a higher-profile event.

Incidentally, I was surprised to learn from MarathonGuide.com that of all the hundreds of marathons in the United States, this is the only one with “Route 66″ in its name. I’ve found other Route 66-themed running events, including one in Gallup, N.M., and on all 13 miles of historic Route 66 in Kansas. But these are half-marathons or other shorter races, not the real McCoy.