Ben Van Horn
Drake Relays Drake Athletic Communications
Drake Relays officials announce record 16 Silver Level events for elite athletes, to be held April 25-27; additions include new ‘Thursday Night Throwdown’ field competition
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Paris Olympics are just four months away, and the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom has announced a record 16 events for potential Olympians, including a new 'Thursday Night Throwdown' competition for both men and women. The 114th Drake Relays presented by Xtream will again be an exclusive Silver Level event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, making America's Athletic Classic one of the top track and field meets in the world for elite athletes hoping to compete in Paris this summer.
"With more elite events than ever, our 114th edition will attract even more of the world's finest track and field athletes," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "That's a testament not only to our hard-working officials and volunteers, but also the dedicated fans who make these world-class athletes feel so special and welcome here in Des Moines."
Thursday Night Throwdown, new this year, will feature some of the world's best competing in the javelin and hammer throws. There will be a men's field and women's field for each event. The hammer throw was highlighted in 2023 but 2024 marks the first year that the men's and women's javelin will be part of the World Athletics Continental Tour in Des Moines.
"When people think of Thursday night at the Drake Relays, they think of incredible distance performances and the moving rhythm of the Isiserettes," Boldon said. "That tradition continues in 2024 and with our new 'Thursday Night Throwdown' our fans will get to see many of the world's best compete in these powerful and uniquely demanding disciplines."
Today, the entire schedule for the 114th Drake Relays was released.
Relays fans should note:
- In addition to 16 events on the World Athletics Continental Tour, Invitational sections return in each of the University/College field events to highlight top collegiate athletes.
- As part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level competition, the Distance Carnival will be expanded to include "Thursday Night Throwdown", feature men's and women's javelin and hammer throw competitions.
- The Friday session maintains the tradition of the Masters 800 meters, alongside the crowning of champions in the University, College and High School Divisions.
- Friday Night at the Drake Relays will feature the women's steeplechase for the second consecutive year, in addition to four invitational University field events.
- Saturday will feature eleven World Athletics Continental Tour events including dozens of Olympians, and will culminate with the crowning of three Relays Cup Champions, with the University Relays Cup, High School Relays Cup and new this year, College Relays Cup.
- The Xtream Sprint Series, powered by Mediacom returns featuring Olympians in fan-favorite events, including the 100m hurdles and 110m hurdles, in addition to collegiate stars in the men's and women's 100 meters.
More key notes for Relays Week:
- The 56th edition of the Drake Road Races will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, marking the official start to Relays Week. With three distances available, 5k, 10k and half marathon, there is a race available for all fitness levels and the first six 2024 Drake Relays Champions will be crowned. All finishers receive a commemorative Drake Road Races finishers medal, a premium apparel item, free admission to the Thursday night Distance Carnival at the Drake Relays plus other benefits. Register today at drakeroadraces.org.
- This year, the historic half marathon, 10k and 5k will be followed that same afternoon by the world-famous Beautiful Bulldog competition with 30 bulldogs from across the region and country vying for the title of 'Most Beautiful Bulldog'.
- The Drake Relays presented by Xtream will host a pole vault competition (Vault at Jordan Creek) at the Center Court area of Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines for the first time since 2014 and will hold a pole vault event outside of the Drake University campus for the first time since 2019.
- There will be another chance to see a World Record as the USATF 1-Mile Road Championships closes out the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in downtown Des Moines on Tuesday, April 23. This marks the eighth consecutive year that national champions will be crowned for the 1-Mile Road Championships in Des Moines for both the men and women.
- The Drake Relays Team Shot Put Showcase debuted last year and will be back inside historic Drake Fieldhouse on Wednesday, April 24 to be headlined once again by Drake Relays champion Ryan Crouser. In 2023, just weeks after setting a new Drake Relays record of 22.38m (73-5 ¼), Crouser established a new World Record of 23.56m (77-3 ¾). Both of these marks are in jeopardy when the two-time Olympic Champion returns to Des Moines in April.
For high school meet information, click here.
For university and college meet information, click here.
To view the full meet schedule for the 114th Drake Relays, click here.
Announcements about confirmed elite athletes and important details pertaining to all divisions of the event will be shared in the coming weeks.
All-session tickets for Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom are on sale now at DrakeTix.com/drakerelays. Follow @drakerelays on Instagram and X.
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