OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 3, 2021) – One of the greatest distance runners in Oklahoma Christian history now can call herself a marathon champion.

OC alumna Layne Hammer took top honors on Sunday morning in the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, covering the 26.2 miles in 2:54:38, 27 seconds ahead of the runner-up, Ewa Zaborowska.

Hammer told The Oklahoman she had signed up to run in the 2020 Oklahoma City marathon, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she hadn't run the full Oklahoma City race course until Sunday. Competing in only her second marathon, she entered the race with limited expectations.

"I've been kind of nursing a sprained ankle and so I really didn't expect that much," she told the newspaper, "and then around like mile 10, I started to see the lead female group and so I thought, 'Oh yeah, maybe there's a chance.'

"After I took the lead I realized I made a huge mistake, but when you're on camera you can't drop back. I was definitely mean mugging the camera a couple times wishing they'd leave me alone so I could walk." 

The 26-year-old Hammer, originally from Greeley, Colo., ran for OC from 2013 to 2018 and was named as Ms. Eagle – the university's highest athletic honor – in 2018. She still holds school records in the indoor mile (4:53.10), 3,000 meters (9:40.38) and 5,000 meters (16:59.48) and the outdoor 1,500 meters (4:32.20) and 5,000 meters (16:57.38).

In track and field, she earned NCAA Division II All-America second-team honors in the indoor 5,000 in 2018 and twice was an All-South Central Region selection. In cross country, she won two individual races in 2015 and was a two-time All-Heartland Conference first-team honoree, finishing second in the championship race in 2016. She also earned All-South Central Region cross country honors in 2016.

During 2016-17, Hammer became the first individual runner of either gender to qualify for NCAA Division II national meets in cross country, indoor track (3,000 meters/mile) and outdoor track (1,500 meters) in the same academic year.

Hammer now works at Tinker Air Force Base as an electronics engineer.

"Layne has always been a tough competitor and continues to match that with hard work," said OC cross country and track coach Wade Miller. "It was great to see how well she ran on a challenging course. The OKC community really comes together for this event and that provides a really special atmosphere of both remembrance and perseverance."

OC alums also fared well in the half-marathon races held as part of the event. Miller placed fourth in the men's race in 1:15.29, and current OC cross country graduate assistant coach Kelsey Castillo (who finished her OC running career this past spring) finished eighth in the women's race in 1:32.47.

The Oklahoman's story on Layne Hammer: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/10/03/okc-memorial-marathon-2021-layne-hammer-wins-womens-race/5977470001/

Full marathon results: https://www.mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=13797