Texas Relays

The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays are an annual track and field competition held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. The University of Texas serves as host for the event, held on either the first or second weekend of April.

Events are held in High School, College, University, and Invitational divisions.

History

In response to cold-weather conditions at the Kansas Relays,[1] the Texas Relays was started as a men's-only competition in 1925 by University of Texas coach Clyde Littlefield and athletic director Theo Bellmont.[2] The Relays were held at Memorial Stadium until Mike A. Myers Stadium was opened in 1999.[3] The meet was not held 1932-1934 as a result of The Great Depression.[3] Women's events were added in 1963.[3]

To encourage attendance in the early years of the event, various publicity stunts were staged. The most successful was a 1927 stunt in which three Tarahumaras were invited to the Relays. These men were famed as runners who never stopped running. A race was staged between the men from San Antonio to Memorial Stadium. After 14 hours and 53 minutes, the 89 mile race ended in a tie.[1]

In 1977, electronic timing was introduced at the Relays, and Olympic gold medalist and Texas Longhorns football player John Wesley Jones recorded a time of 9.85 seconds in the 100 meter dash. This would have set a world record, but it was determined that the timer malfunctioned, and the time was unofficial.[1]

The Texas Relays are currently the second largest track meet in the United States, behind only the Penn Relays.[4] Today, approximately 50,000 spectators and 5,000 athletes attend the events.[1][5]

Local impact

According to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2007, the Relays generate US$8 million for local business.[6] Much of this traced to the fact that the event has become a social destination for young African-Americans. A number of groups organize networking and development events for African-Americans to take place in downtown Austin during the Relays.

Following numerous issues involving crime, theft and general violence many local businesses close for the Relays weekend.[7][8]

Some advocates of the Relays state that there is not a significant increase in crime during the Relays weekend. However, police forces are so overwhelmed with crowd control and keeping the peace that they will generally not take the time to write citations or arrest individuals for less serious offenses. Some businesses have chosen to not operate or to close early because it is more cost effective rather than pay for increased security for crowds who are not spending money or loss of income due to theft.[9][10][11][12]

Divisions

The University Division is open to schools in NCAA Division I. The College Division is open to schools in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, or NJCAA schools. The University/College Division is open to schools that qualify for either division separately. The High School Division is separated into two levels, Division I and Division II. Division I is open to schools in the University Interscholastic League classes A, AA, or AAA (or their interstate equivalents). Division II is open to schools in UIL classes AAAA or AAAAA. Schools that normally compete in Division I may compete in Division II if they wish.[13]

Events held

Event Invitational Men Invitational Women University Men College Men University / College Women High School Boys High School Girls
100 m
1500 m
1600 m
Mile
3200 m
5000 m
10000 m
100 m hurdles
110 m hurdles
400 m hurdles
2000 m steeplechase
3000 m steeplechase
High jump
Pole vault
Long jump
Triple jump
Shot put
Discus throw
Hammer throw
Javelin throw
Heptathlon
Decathlon
4x100m relay
4x200m relay
4x400m relay
4x800 m relay
4x1500m relay
1600m sprint medley
Distance medley

Source:.[14] Note: Some men's events are combined for the University and College divisions.

Meet records

Men

Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref
100 m 9.97 (+1.2 m/s) Olapade Adeniken  Nigeria 4 April 1992
200 m 20.11 (+1.6 m/s) Elijah Hall  United States 31 March 2018 [15]
800 m 1:45.82 Michael Saruni  Kenya 30 March 2017 [16]
1500 m 3:41.15 Paul Larkins  Great Britain 1984
Mile 3:56.98 Leonel Manzano  United States 2008
5000 m 13:41.38 Mark Anderson  United States 1980
10000 m 28:05.36 Michael Musyoki  United States 1984
110 m hurdles 13.13 Larry Wade  United States 2004
400 m hurdles 48.44 Michael Stigler  United States 27 March 2015 [17]
3000 m steeplechase 8:27.70 Henry Marsh  United States 1977
High jump 2.33 m Mark Boswell  Canada 2000
Pole vault 5.92 m Renaud Lavillenie  France 31 March 2018 [18]
Shawnacy Barber  Canada 31 March 2018 [19]
Armand Duplantis  Sweden 31 March 2018 [20]
Long jump 8.23 m Richard Duncan  Canada 1997
Triple jump 17.04 m (+1.4 m/s) Matthew O'Neal  United States 31 March 2017 [21]
Shot put 21.37 m Al Feuerbach  United States 1974
Discus throw 66.01 m Julian Wruck  Australia 30 March 2013 [22]
Hammer throw 76.29 m Denzel Comenentia  Netherlands 29 March 2018 [23]
Javelin throw 89.10 m Patrik Bodén  Sweden 24 March 1990
Decathlon 8472 pts Lindon Victor  Grenada 29–30 March 2017 [24]
100m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400m 110H (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500m
10.63 (+1.3 m/s) 7.37 m (+1.8 m/s) 16.52 m 2.09 m 48.24 14.94 (+0.8 m/s) 53.00 m 4.30 m 66.69 m 4:48.89
4×100 m relay 37.88 HSI  United States 2001
4×200 m relay 1:19.88 Austin All Stars  United States 1999
4×400 m relay 2:59.86 USA White  United States 2006
4×800 m relay 7:15.99 Texas A&M University
James Bonn
Joey Roberts
Oscar Ramirez
Michael Preble
 United States 29 March 2012 [25][26]
4×1500 m relay 15:08.67 Arkansas  United States 1999
Sprint medley relay 3:12.13 Arkansas  United States 2000
Distance medley relay 9:29.40 UTEP  United States 1979

Women

Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref
100 m 10.93 Dawn Sowell  United States 1989
200 m 23.03 (+0.9 m/s) Paris Daniels  United States 29 March 2014 [27]
800 m 2:02.25 Chrishuna Williams  United States 30 March 2017 [28]
1500 m 4:13.53 Dana Mecke  United States 31 March 2018 [29]
3000 m 9:13.90 Teena Colebrook  Great Britain 1991
5000 m 15:29.85 Midde Hamrin  Sweden 1984
10000 m 31:28.92 Francie Larrieu-Smith  United States 1991
100 m hurdles 12.72 (-0.3 m/s) Tobi Amusan  Nigeria 1 April 2017
400 m hurdles 54.60 Raasin McIntosh  United States 2003 [30]
3000 m steeplechase 10:10.93 Trina Cox  United States 2006
High jump 1.95 m Erin Aldrich  United States 2000
Amy Acuff 31 March 2012 [25]
Pole vault 4.83 m Jenn Suhr  United States 31 March 2018 [31]
Long jump 6.88 m (+1.9 m/s) Blessing Okagbare  Nigeria 2 April 2010 [32]
6.96 m (nw)[33] Lorraine Ugen  United States 28 March 2015 [34]
Triple jump 14.48 m (+1.0 m/s) Tori Franklin  United States 30 March 2018 [35]
Shot put 18.58 m Laura Gerraughty  United States 2006
Discus throw 60.71 m Becky Breisch  United States 2006
Hammer throw 72.16 m Amanda Bingson  United States 28 March 2013 [36]
Javelin throw 60.82 m Kara Winger  United States 27 March 2015 [37]
Heptathlon 6246 pts Erica Bougard  United States 29–30 March 2017 [38]
100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m
13.29 (+0.3 m/s) 1.85 m 11.58 m 23.96 (+2.9 m/s) 6.42 m (+1.0 m/s) 34.24 m 2:09.79
4×100 m relay 42.28 South Florida Elite  United States 2006
4×200 m relay 1:29.89 Texas A&M University
Diamond Spaulding
Brenessa Thompson
Jaevin Reed
Danyel White
 United States 1 April 2017
4×400 m relay 3:23.75 Texas  United States 2004
4×800 m relay 8:29.25 Texas A&M Aggies
Jean Jenkins
Jazmine Fray
Brittany Parker
Sammy Watson
 United States 31 March 2018 [39]
4×1500 m relay 18:11.51 Arkansas
Paige Johnston
Jillian Rosen
Miranda Walker
Kristen Gillespie
 United States 8 April 2011
Sprint medley relay 3:42.10 Texas A&M University
Diamond Spaulding
Jaevin Reed
Kadecia Baird
Jazmine Fray
 United States 31 March 2017 [40]
Distance medley relay 11:01.17 Texas Tech  United States 2008

References

general
specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 Holton, Avery (2001-04-05). "Texas Relays: History in the making". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2006-09-04.
  2. "History of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 McMicken, Glen (2005-03-31). "Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays: A to Z". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  4. Treon, Ricky (2006-04-07). "Five reasons to watch Texas' premiere track event". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  5. Rentfro, Daryl (2006-04-05). "Texas Relays 2006 Preview". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  6. Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (2007-03-27). "March Madness Means Millions for Austin". Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  9. Austin welcomes Texas Relays visitors, officials say 30 March 2010.
  10. Boarded-Up Bars During Texas Relays Raise Eyebrows 21 April 2011.
  11. “Welcome” to the Police State of 6ixth 9 April 2011.
  12. Austin, TX: Afraid of a lot of black people? 2009. ClutchFans.
  13. "2005 Entries Information". TexasSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03.
  14. "2006 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays schedule". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
  15. Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  16. "Austin -TX- (United States), 29.3-1.4.2017 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.de. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  17. "400m Hurdles Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  18. Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  19. Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  20. Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  21. "Austin -TX- (United States), 29.3-1.4.2017 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.de. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  22. "Discus Throw Results". www.texassports.com. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  23. "Distance Events highlight Day Two of 2018 Texas Relays". texassports.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  24. Randy Riggs (30 March 2017). "Lindon Victor tops Trey Hardee's 11-year old Texas Relays record". mystatesman.com. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  25. 1 2 James Dunaway (1 April 2012). "Richards-Ross and Duncan impress at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  26. "Texas Relays 2012 Day 2 Results" (PDF). www.grfx.cstv.com. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  27. "200m Dash Results". www.branchsportstech.com. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  28. "Austin -TX- (United States), 29.3-1.4.2017 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.de. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  29. "Texas Relays 2018 Results". tfrrs.org. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  30. "Carib athletes shine at Texas Relays". Jamaica Gleaner. 8 April 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  31. Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  32. "2010 Texas Relays Day Three Notes". www.texassports.com. 2010-04-02. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  33. probably wind-assisted
  34. Jon Mulkeen (28 March 2015). "Kiryu clocks wind-assisted 9.87 in 100m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  35. Adam Kopet (31 March 2018). "Tori Franklin Jumps to Second on All-Time American Triple Jump List at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  36. "Hammer Throw Results". www.texassports.com. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  37. "Javelin Throw Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  38. Randy Riggs (30 March 2017). "Lindon Victor tops Trey Hardee's 11-year old Texas Relays record". mystatesman.com. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  39. "Aggies win three relays, women's 4x800 breaks 32-year-old Texas Relays record". 12thman.com. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  40. "Kyriazis wins javelin with record throw at Texas Relays". theeagle.com. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.