TEEM and ODOC host Oklahoma Memorial 5K for women at Mabel Bassett
McLoud, Okla. (KFOR) - The Education and Employment Ministry on Friday announced a collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Prison Health Initiative (PHI), in hosting a special 5K run for the women of Mabel Bassett Correctional Center.
According to ODOC & TEEM leaders, the event will occur on April 27 to coincide with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
Throughout the month of April, women incarcerated at Mabel Bassett will participate in a running initiatives to complete the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The 5K event on April 27 will serve as the last portion of the run, celebrating their dedication and perseverance.
Collectively, 116 women have completed the program and shed 455 pounds, says ODOC & TEEM leaders.
“I was incarcerated at the old Mabel Bassett in OKC on April 19, 1995. When the attack on the Murrah Building occurred, it felt like an earthquake was shaking the prison,” said Verna, a MBCC resident. “It was such a sad day because so many lives were taken. So many people were affected.”
“This initiative is about more than just running; it’s about empowerment, healing, connection to the community and fostering a sense of achievement for these women,” said Allie Gorman, Outreach and Communications Coordinator at TEEM. “By bringing the resilient spirit of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon inside the gates of Mabel Bassett, we are providing an opportunity for personal growth and transformation.”
“The women incarcerated here continue to inspire me and fill me with pride,” said MBCC Warden Scott Tinsley. “Their commitment to honoring this significant moment in Oklahoma’s history is a powerful reminder that they remain Oklahoma citizens, even while incarcerated.”
The collaboration between TEEM, ODOC and PHI says, prosocial events, like this 5K, have a lasting impact on participants.
“By committing to this challenge, they are not only improving their physical health but also building confidence, discipline and a sense of accomplishment that will benefit them far beyond the finish line,” said Corey Green, ODOC physician assistant and PHI sponsor.
“The OKC bombing is a significant event that impacts every Oklahoman. It is a reminder of the resiliency, resolve and ability to overcome that exist within our state," said Kris Steele, Director of TEEM. “We believe it is important to create an opportunity for everyone to commemorate these incredible attributes on April 27."
For more information about the Memorial 5K, please contact Allie Gorman at (405)-235-5671 or
teem.org.