Get Hooked on the Drake Relays in 2025

I was in 6th grade the first time my dad pulled me from school on a beautiful Friday in April and allowed me to experience the Drake Relays for the first time. From the first sound of the starting pistol, I was hooked and my life would be forever changed.

The tradition continued for many years, a bonding experience with my father, even though I was not much of an athlete myself, and my one year of junior high track would be considered subpar by anyone familiar with the sport. I still fell in love with the sport … the adrenaline that comes with an intense baton exchange on a relay race, the feat that is accomplished through a long-distance battle, the hype that comes from field events where athletes get an entire stadium in sync to clap them through their jumps into the sandpit or over the high bar.

After I graduated from Iowa State, I moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in public relations. I had exciting and unreal opportunities in this city, working with athletic pillars from Floyd Mayweather to Coach K, Greg Maddox to Ryan Lochte. I attended great sporting events like NASCAR races, USA Basketball games, UNLV in the Lon Kruger era … There’s no lack of entertainment in Las Vegas, that’s for sure.

But at the end of every April, I had the call to come home. I would fly in for the weekend, join our group of 40+ annual die-hard attendees from Guthrie County, see some of my family’s best friends for that once-a-year reunion, and I’d always return to Vegas desperately homesick.

I’d be lying if I said the annual track event was not part of the allure for my return to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) after eight years in Sin City.

 

The Appeal of the Drake Relays

Drake Relays is literally the event I look forward to most each year. I’m not a morning person, but by Friday of Relays weekend, we’re locked in our own rented parking lot by 7 a.m. for a breakfast tailgate before heading in to watch the shuttle hurdle relay by 8 a.m.

I’ve been able to see Olympians like Michael Johnson and hometown hero Lolo Jones compete. I’ve watched my alma maters battle amongst the collegiate and high school levels. I’ve seen some of the finest athletes to grace the track and field world compete right here in Downtown DSM, and there’s simply nothing that compares to the hype of the Blue Oval experience.

Our group’s famous line has always been, rain or shine, we’re on the finish line. After decades of being a season ticket holder, that’s where you can find us every Saturday with our crew cheering on the local high school runners especially loud.

Drake Relays Week Events

Since moving back to Iowa in 2014, I’ve become more invested in the Drake Relays community events throughout the week. My family never misses the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. My son and I ran the Grand Blue Mile last year (although he, at 3, he preferred to ride piggyback style most of the route). My daughter fell in love with shotput in the Fieldhouse last spring. She tried to show her strength off to the Nebraska coach and get on his recruiting radar at 2 years old. Taking in the special pole vault competition from Court Avenue to Capitol Square to Jordan Creek Mall, the energy around it never ever disappoints.

 

I will stand on there is no better road race than those at the Relays, and finishing the 5K on the Blue Oval is definitely a top personal achievement, especially as someone who does not consider themselves a competitive runner. Drake students line the streets with hilarious signs to cheer you on, you have the most beautiful view of Downtown DSM and none other than Griff the bulldog welcomes you across the finish line. If you ever thought a road race sounded fun, trust me, this is the one to sign up for.

 

After decades of only falling more and more infatuated with this event, I was given the thrill of my life in 2023 when Drake Relays Director Blake Boldon asked me to consider joining the Executive Committee and contributing to the success of the event. I have always told my friends that if they went once, I know they’d be hooked, and now I’m charged with helping to spread that same sentiment across the state.

It’s important that we wrap our arms around this annual event to continue to see it succeed and increase enthusiasm for the Relays in Greater Des Moines (DSM) communities to what the event truly deserves.

If Drake Bulldogs are our hometown team, I can assure you that Drake Relays is the hometown Super Bowl. And that, you do not want to miss.

See the action on the Blue Oval April 23 – 26, 2025, and grab your tickets to the event at godrakebulldogs.com.

There are so many fun events specific to Downtown DSM. Attend annual events like the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival and Holiday Promenade or find live music happening each week through the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.