Happy 100th Birthday Drake Relays!

The 100th running of the Drake Relays was last weekend and I am ashamed that I have not blogged about them yet! No, I have not been hung over for an entire week. The two weeks before relays are just filled with events, visitors, and fun. I have been busy enjoying and blogging about all the other things going on.

The Drake Relays are equivalent to homecoming at a big ten university. The small Drake campus becomes a big university for a week with all the people, traffic, publicity, and enthusiasm. Everyone throughout the country can recognize the name "Drake" if followed by the word "Relays" better than they can recognize the school alone. The running of the relays have become a legacy as this year was the 100th anniversary of the first relays meet. Many famous runners, Olympians, record holders, athletes, and coaches have been apart of the Drake relays at some point. All of these people seem to remember their relays experience and associate tradition and fun with these memories. Watching the athletes compete is indescribable as each year phenomenal individuals put on outstanding performances in every event, rain or shine (usually more rain than sunshine).

Relays for Drake students and the Des Moines community include:
-painting streets
-hosting parades
-campus carnivals
-lots of visitors especially alumni
-many great athletes
-comedians, magicians, musical performers
-block parties in downtown Des Moines
-BBQ's galore
-lots of bar specials
-canceled classes
-multiple parties everynight for a week and a half
-beer and pancake breakfasts all weekend
-state fair food...waffle cakes, corn dogs, turkey legs, etc
-vibrant school spirit
-FUN for everyone!!

Everyone should experience the relays at least once in their life!

Happy 100th Drake Relays!