Our History

So many have participated in the Redbud Classic for years but don’t know the history behind the good work they’ve helped accomplish.

The Redbud Foundation, Inc. held the first “Redbud Classic” in the spring of 1983.

It consisted of the 10k and 2-mile running and walking events and drew approximately 1,100 participants. Over time, the Redbud has enhanced its roster with additional events, including cycling tours, the 5k wheelchair event, and the 2-mile baby stroller derby.

The inaugural Redbud BASH, the official post-race celebration, was held in 2015. The Redbud is also proud to see a growing number of children participate in the 1-mile Children’s Fun Run. We enjoyed our first “Woof Walk,” a 1-mile dog walk in 2022, and we have expanded our cycling events. Since 1983, the Redbud Classic has attracted more than 300,000 registrants.

In addition to providing quality competitive events, the Redbud Classic has donated over $900,000 to various community and beneficiary partners in the Oklahoma City 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, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Safe Kids of Oklahoma, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Whiz Kids, Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community, Teach For America-OKC, the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League, The CARE Center, and Wings Special Needs Community. Our 2024 Beneficiary is Focus on Home.

The Redbud continues to hold its rank as the second-largest competitive event in Oklahoma City.

After the success of the 2000 Redbud Classic, the Redbud Foundation began an endowment to sustain its future progress and improvement. As the Redbud Foundation embarks on the next year of fitness, fun, and philanthropy, prospective participants can expect the same excitement, enthusiasm, and community involvement that brought the Redbud to life in the spring of 1983.