# Drake Relays

The Drake Relays is an outdoor track and field event held in Des Moines, Iowa, in Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University. Billed as America's Athletic Classic, it is regarded as one of the top track and field events in the United States. In 2020, the Drake Relays was named a Silver Level event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, one of only two competitions in the United States to earn Silver Level status.

## History

The inaugural Drake Relays were held in 1910. The first meet drew just 100 spectators and 82 athletes, all from Des Moines-area colleges and high schools. The second year attendance grew to 250 athletes and a crowd of some 500 spectators. In 1914, the Relays saw its first world record set. By 1922, the Relays had expanded to two days and drew 10,000 fans, becoming the first major track and field event broadcast on radio. For the 1926 Relays, Drake Stadium was built on the site of the prior host, Haskins Field.
Women's events were added beginning in 1961 with Wilma Rudolph competing in the 100 meters. The 1966 Relays began a streak of 48 consecutive Saturdays with a sellout. In 1969, a $175,000 tartan track was installed. The events at the Relays would go all-metric in 1976 and the track was rebuilt as a 400-meter oval in 1978. It was resurfaced in 1983, and in 1988 was renamed the "Jim Duncan Track" to honor the long time relays public address announcer.
Hundreds of Olympic gold medalists have competed at Drake Stadium including Caitlyn Jenner, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Frank Shorter, Gwen Torrence, and Jeremy Wariner. Hundreds more Drake Relays competitors have gone onto compete in the Olympic Games, including 113 at the 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2006, a Friday evening session was added. In 2010, the Grand Blue Mile, a one-mile road race in downtown Des Moines, was added. The week of festivities currently opens with a parade on Saturday, continues with a Beautiful Bulldog Contest (Drake's mascot) on Sunday, the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, and an indoor pole vault on Wednesday with the decathlon and heptathlon beginning Wednesday and concluding alongside the distance carnival on Thursday.
Midwest grocer Hy-Vee became the presenting sponsor beginning in 2013, enabling the Relays to offer a $50,000 purse in running events and $25,000 purse in field events, making the Drake Relays the richest athletics event in the United States. ESPN2 aired 90 minutes of live-action coverage that year and ESPN3 aired an additional two hours. The 2013 field saw 25 Olympic medalists compete. Currently NBCSN airs 2–3 hours of coverage on Saturday with live online coverage via NBCSports.com throughout the event.
In January 2018 Drake Relays unveiled the Blue Standard, under which Iowa's top high school athletes automatically qualify based on their event performance. The Blue Standard is the top 25 percent of accepted entrant's results from past Drake Relays.
In March 2020, Xtream powered by Mediacom was named the presenting sponsor of the Drake Relays. Xtream's sponsorship allows the Drake Relays to maintain its status as a premier track and field event, to be called the "Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom".
In addition to the track meet, the Relays serves as a second homecoming for the university and sees other community events such as student street painting and a downtown Des Moines block party.

## Drake Stadium

Opened in 1925, the 14,557-seat stadium and its famous blue oval have hosted the Relays since 1926. A $15 million renovation in 2006 reduced capacity from 18,000 seats in order to expand the lanes, allow fans to watch throwing and running at the same time, and allow for more hosting of events. Another renovation following the 2016 relays saw a new track installed, constructed of the same material used for tracks in Beijing and London for the Summer Olympics.

## Directors

Eleven men have claimed the role of director of the Drake Relays since the very first officially organized track and field event took place more than 100 years ago back in the year 1910.
* John L. Griffith 1910–1918 Griffith was the founder of the Drake Relays. He remained director for nine years and moved to the University of Illinois after World War I. He later became commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. Drake's live bulldog mascot, Griff, is named for him.
* M. B. Banks 1919–1921 Banks also served as coach to the Drake football and basketball teams.
* K. L. (Tug) Wilson 1922–1925 Wilson was a former Illinois and Olympic athlete. After his tenure as director, he went on to become athletic director at Northwestern University. Wilson was also a former Big Ten Conference commissioner.
* O. M. (Ossie) Solem 1926–1932 Longtime Drake coach succeeded Wilson, later became head football coach at the University of Iowa and Syracuse University
* F. P. (Pitch) Johnson 1933–1940
* M. E. (Bill) Easton 1941–1947
* Tom Deckard 1948–1955
* Bob Karnes 1956–1969
* Bob Ehrhart 1970–2000
* Mark Kostek 2001–2005
* Brian Brown 2006–2016 Brown participated in the relays himself and held the Drake Relays record in the high jump until 2014. For his first eight years as director, Brown had attempted to have his record broken by recruiting some of the best high jumpers in the country.
* Blake Boldon 2017–present

## Meet records
### Men

Men's meeting records of the Drake Relays :
| Event | Record | Athlete | Nation. | Date |
| 100 m | 10.01 (+1.9 m/s) | Harvey Glance | United States | 24 April 1976 |
| 200 m | 20.02 (+1.7 m/s) | Wallace Spearmon | United States | 28 April 2012 |
| 400 m | 44.08 | Kirani James | Grenada | 29 April 2016 |
| 800 m | 1:45.86 | Randy Wilson | United States | 28 April 1978 |
| 1500 m | 3:38.27 | Steve Scott | United States | 28 April 1984 |
| Mile | 3:51.71 | Alan Webb | United States | 28 April 2007 |
| 5000 m | 13:21.39 | Morgan McDonald | Australia | 23 April 2021 |
| 10,000 m | 28:07.40 | Kipsubai Koskei | Kenya | 26 April 1980 |
| 110 m hurdles | 13.04 (+1.8 m/s) | Omar McLeod | Jamaica | 29 April 2017 |
| 400 m hurdles | 48.15 | Alison dos Santos | Brazil | 24 April 2021 |
| 3000 m steeplechase | 8:31.02 | Henry Marsh | United States | 30 April 1977 |
| High jump | 2.40 m (7 ft 10+1⁄4 in) | Derek Drouin | Canada | 25 April 2014 |
| Pole vault | 5.90 m (19 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | KC Lightfoot | United States | 22 April 2024 |
| Long jump | 8.26 m (27 ft 1 in) | Anthuan Maybank | United States | 24 April 1993 |
| Triple jump | 17.12 m (56 ft 2 in) | Christian Taylor | United States | 27 April 2013 |
| Shot put | 22.59 m (74 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | Payton Otterdahl | United States | 24 April 2024 |
| Discus throw | 64.59 m (211 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | Reggie Jagers | United States | 28 April 2018 |
| Hammer throw | 72.77 m (238 ft 8+3⁄4 in) | Libor Charfreitag | Slovakia | 27 April 2002 |
| Hammer throw | 72.77 m (238 ft 8+3⁄4 in) | Cory Martin | United States | 26 April 2008 |
| Decathlon | 8198 pts | Kip Janvrin | United States | 25 April 1996 |
| Decathlon | 10.96 (100 m), 7.20 m (long jump), 13.72 m (shot put), 1.98 m (high jump), 48.57 (400 m) / 14.70 (110 m hurdles), 43.16 m (discus), 4.95 m (pole vault), 58.02 m (javelin), 4:11.63 (1500 m) | 10.96 (100 m), 7.20 m (long jump), 13.72 m (shot put), 1.98 m (high jump), 48.57 (400 m) / 14.70 (110 m hurdles), 43.16 m (discus), 4.95 m (pole vault), 58.02 m (javelin), 4:11.63 (1500 m) | 10.96 (100 m), 7.20 m (long jump), 13.72 m (shot put), 1.98 m (high jump), 48.57 (400 m) / 14.70 (110 m hurdles), 43.16 m (discus), 4.95 m (pole vault), 58.02 m (javelin), 4:11.63 (1500 m) | 10.96 (100 m), 7.20 m (long jump), 13.72 m (shot put), 1.98 m (high jump), 48.57 (400 m) / 14.70 (110 m hurdles), 43.16 m (discus), 4.95 m (pole vault), 58.02 m (javelin), 4:11.63 (1500 m) |
| 4 × 100 m relay | 38.96 | University of Alabama: Emmit King Lamar Smith Calvin Smith Walter Monroe | United States United States United States United States | 30 April 1983 |
| 4 × 200 m relay | 1:20.53 | University of Texas-El Paso: Obadele Thompson Milton Mallard Hayden Stephen Andrew Tynes | Barbados United States United States Bahamas | 30 April 1994 |
| 4 × 400 m relay | 3:00.78 | Southern Illinois University: Parry Duncan Tony Adams Elvis Forde Michael Franks | United States United States Barbados United States | 28 April 1984 |
| Sprint medley relay (2,2,4,8) | 3:12.19 | Alabama State University: Lamar Smith Calvin Smith Terry Menefee William Wuyke | United States United States United States Venezuela | 30 April 1983 |
| 4 × 800 m relay | 7:12.57 | Iowa State University: Jason Gomez Joven Nelson Daniel Nixon Festus Lagat | United States United States United States Kenya | 23 April 2021 |
| Distance medley relay | 9:30.45 | Southern Methodist University: Rob Topping Russell Mitchell Ben Bor Paul Rugut | United States United States Kenya | 30 April 1983 |
| 4×110 m Shuttle hurdles relay | 52.94 | USA Blue: Jason Richardson Aleec Harris Aries Merritt David Oliver | United States United States United States United States | 25 April 2015 |

### Women

Women's meeting records of the Drake Relays :
| Event | Record | Athlete | Nation. | Date |
| 100 m | 11.06 (±0.0 m/s) | LaShauntea Moore | United States | 24 April 2010 |
| 200 m | 22.40 (+0.7 m/s) | Gwen Torrence | United States | 30 April 1994 |
| 400 m | 50.13 | Francena McCorory | United States | 25 April 2015 |
| 800 m | 2:00.03 | Ajee' Wilson | United States | 24 April 2015 |
| 1500 m | 4:03.35 | Jennifer Simpson | United States | 26 April 2013 |
| Mile | 4:40.2 | Francie Larrieu-Smith | United States | 27 April 1975 |
| 3000 m | 8:56.03 | Suzy Favor-Hamilton | United States | 27 April 2002 |
| Two miles | 9:16.78 | Jennifer Simpson | United States | 27 April 2018 |
| 5000 m | 15:23.21 | Karissa Schweizer | United States | 26 April 2018 |
| 10,000 m | 32:57.38 | Patti Murray | United States | 28 April 1988 |
| 100 m hurdles | 12.40 (+1.5 m/s) | Jasmin Stowers | United States | 25 April 2015 |
| 400 m hurdles | 53.88 | Dalilah Muhammad | United States | 30 April 2022 |
| 3000 m steeplechase | 9:32.23 | Leah Falland | United States | 26 April 2018 |
| High jump | 1.98 m (6 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | Chaunte Lowe | United States | 28 April 2012 |
| Pole vault | 4.88 m (16 ft 0 in) | Sandi Morris | United States | 28 April 2018 |
| Long jump | 6.78 m (22 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | Aisha James | United States | 26 April 2003 |
| Triple jump | 13.79 m (45 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | Shani Marks | United States | 26 April 2003 |
| Shot put | 19.37 m (63 ft 6+1⁄2 in) | Tia Brooks | United States | 29 April 2016 |
| Discus throw | 64.38 m (211 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Becky Breisch | United States | 24 April 2010 |
| Hammer throw | 78.69 m (258 ft 2 in) | Brooke Andersen | United States | 27 April 2023 |
| Heptathlon | 6040 pts | Diana Pickler | United States | 21–22 April 2009 |
| Heptathlon | 13.63 (±0.0 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.78 m (high jump), 12.08 m (shot put), 24.48 (+1.7 m/s) (200 m) / 6.14 m (+1.0 m/s) (long jump), 41.39 m (javelin), 2:16.73 (800 m) | 13.63 (±0.0 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.78 m (high jump), 12.08 m (shot put), 24.48 (+1.7 m/s) (200 m) / 6.14 m (+1.0 m/s) (long jump), 41.39 m (javelin), 2:16.73 (800 m) | 13.63 (±0.0 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.78 m (high jump), 12.08 m (shot put), 24.48 (+1.7 m/s) (200 m) / 6.14 m (+1.0 m/s) (long jump), 41.39 m (javelin), 2:16.73 (800 m) | 13.63 (±0.0 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.78 m (high jump), 12.08 m (shot put), 24.48 (+1.7 m/s) (200 m) / 6.14 m (+1.0 m/s) (long jump), 41.39 m (javelin), 2:16.73 (800 m) |
| 4 × 100 m relay | 43.58 | University of Texas: Morgan Snow Allison Peter Christy Udoh Chalonda Goodman | United States United States Virgin Islands Nigeria United States | 28 April 2012 |
| 4 × 200 m relay | 1:31.96 | Texas Southern University: Linda Eseimokumoh Beatrice Utondu Dyan Webber Mary Onyali | Nigeria Nigeria United States Nigeria | 28 April 1989 |
| 4 × 400 m relay | 3:28.42 | Purdue University: Chole Abbot Brionna Thomas Symone Black Jahneya Mitchell | United States United States United States United States | 28 April 2018 |
| Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8) | 3:43.64 | Arkansas State University: Regine Williams Daina Harper Taylor Ellis-Watson Chrishuna Williams | United States United States United States United States | 25 April 2015 |
| 4 × 800 m relay | 8:27.42 | University of Minnesota: Julie Schwengler Jamie Cheever Gabrielle Anderson Heather Dorniden | United States United States United States United States | 27 April 2007 |
| Distance medley relay | 11:03.25 | Notre Dame University: Olivia Markezich Kelly Hart Erin Sullivan Katie Wasserman | United States United States United States United States | 24 April 2021 |
| 4 × 100 m Shuttle hurdles relay | 50.50 | USA Blue: Brianna Rollins Dawn Harper-Nelson Queen Harrison Kristi Castlin | United States United States United States United States | 24 April 2015 |

### Mixed

Mixed meeting records of the Drake Relays :
| Event | Record | Athlete | Nation. | Date | Ref. |
| 4 × 110 m Shuttle hurdles relay | 54.42 | Team Blue: Kristi Castlin Spencer Adams Nia Ali Eddie Lovett | United States United States United States United States Virgin Islands | 30 April 2016 | |

## Results

| 2020s | 2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1930s | 1920s | 1910s |
| 2029 | 2019 | 2009 | 1999 | 1989 | 1979 | 1969 | 1959 | 1949 | 1939 | 1929 | 1919 |
| 2028 | 2018 | 2008 | 1998 | 1988 | 1978 | 1968 | 1958 | 1948 | 1938 | 1928 | 1918 |
| 2027 | 2017 | 2007 | 1997 | 1987 | 1977 | 1967 | 1957 | 1947 | 1937 | 1927 | 1917 |
| 2026 | 2016 | 2006 | 1996 | 1986 | 1976 | 1966 | 1956 | 1946 | 1936 | 1926 | 1916 |
| 2025 | 2015 | 2005 | 1995 | 1985 | 1975 | 1965 | 1955 | 1945 | 1935 | 1925 | 1915 |
| 2024 | 2014 | 2004 | 1994 | 1984 | 1974 | 1964 | 1954 | 1944 | 1934 | 1924 | 1914 |
| 2023 | 2013 | 2003 | 1993 | 1983 | 1973 | 1963 | 1953 | 1943 | 1933 | 1923 | 1913 |
| 2022 | 2012 | 2002 | 1992 | 1982 | 1972 | 1962 | 1952 | 1942 | 1932 | 1922 | 1912 |
| 2021 | 2011 | 2001 | 1991 | 1981 | 1971 | 1961 | 1951 | 1941 | 1931 | 1921 | 1911 |
| 2020 | 2010 | 2000 | 1990 | 1980 | 1970 | 1960 | 1950 | 1940 | 1930 | 1920 | 1910 |

## Future dates

* 113th Drake Relays: April 26-29, 2023
* 114th Drake Relays: April 24-27, 2024