Robin Marsh leads tour through OKC Memorial Museum, Reflects on coverage

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon serves as more than just a race to remember those affected by the 1995 bombing. Its primary mission is to raise funds for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, helping to ensure the continued education of visitors about the tragic events of April 19, 1995. Proceeds from the marathon support the Museum’s efforts to preserve this important piece of history.

A Personal Connection: Robin Marsh’s Reflections

News 9’s Robin Marsh has a deep personal connection to the bombing, having been at the News 9 station just 10 miles away from the Murrah Building when the explosion occurred. "It felt like an earthquake shook the building so we knew there was something, you know, pretty ominous that had happened immediately," Robin recalled.

Robin has spent much of her career covering the bombing’s aftermath and the ongoing impact on the community. As part of the marathon’s educational mission, she led a tour of the Museum for a group of young journalists from News 9, sharing her own firsthand experiences from that day and the emotional aftermath. "30 years ago, when the bombing happened, I had just started at News 9, and I spent days near the scene, talking to families of victims who were still missing," she shared.

Robin’s reflection on her reporting during the bombing is emotional. She remembered how families of the victims clung to hope as they sought answers about their loved ones. "I was at the church that night with all the victims, the families that didn’t know the fate of their loved ones," Robin said. "Literally, people were saying, 'Robin, put my baby on TV. Robin, put my in-laws on TV.' It was a lot."

The Legacy of the Marathon: Helping Keep the Story Alive

The Memorial and Museum do not receive federal funding, so events like the marathon play a vital role in keeping the doors open and the memory of the tragedy alive for future generations. The race funds are essential in maintaining and sustaining the Memorial's efforts.

Robin’s experience during the Museum tour highlights the importance of this history. "Being able to see how Robin was during the tour and how she talks about it — this is an important piece of history that I need to make sure gets the love and attention and respect it deserves every single time I talk about it, and every single time I write about it."

The marathon not only serves as a way to remember the victims but also to ensure that the Museum remains a place of learning and reflection for years to come.