'Best in the World' to Face Off at Drake Relays Event

Published by the Des Moines Register on April 25, 2014

In the Drake Relays' 105-year history, fans have never seen as much talent in one event as they'll witness tonight.

"This is virtually like an Olympic or World championship final," renowned track and field broadcaster Larry Rawson said.

Except that it's right here in Iowa.

The winners of every Olympic and World championship in the 400 meters since 2004 will step into the blocks to occupy three of the eight lanes on the blue oval inside Drake Stadium. They'll line up alongside the silver and bronze medalists from last year's World Championships and two others ranked in the top 10 globally in the event.

Around 7:35 p.m., the gun will sound to begin the race — billed as the greatest collection of talent ever assembled for one event at the Drake Relays. It's akin to Major League Baseball moving its All-Star Game to Principal Park or golf holding one of its annual majors at Wakonda.

"As a fan, even after all these years, it's hard for me to believe the best in the world are coming into Des Moines, Iowa," said Mike Jay, the stadium public address voice of the Relays throughout the past decade and a regular at the meet since 1975. "As a small-town Iowa kid, I think, 'My God, they're coming to Des Moines? You've got to be kidding me.' This isn't some junior high conference meet, these are the best in the world. It still blows my mind. They could go anywhere in the world, and they picked Des Moines, Iowa."

In past years, Nike-sponsored athletes, such as 2012 Olympic gold medalist Kirani James and reigning World champion LaShawn Merritt, had been required to compete at this weekend's Penn Relays.