Latest news with #BlakeBoldon
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Records expected to be broken at 16th annual Grand Blue Mile
DES MOINES, Iowa — Downtown Des Moines is gearing up for the 16th annual Grand Blue Mile. The Grand Blue Mile is part of the acclaimed Drake Relays, one of the most prestigious and historic track and field meets held every spring by Drake University. The relays were nicknamed America's Athletic Classic as a result of the range of participants. It was designed for everyone, from elite runners to families, and even walkers. The relays kicked off last weekend with the Drake Road Races. The Grand Blue Mile takes place on Tuesday in downtown Des Moines. The community fitness event was designed to promote wellness. The one-mile race has divisions for families, kids, recreational walkers and runners, and even elite athletes. How a class project revived St. Anthony's middle school track team Drake University's Blake Boldon is the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. He said around 3,000 people will participate in the 16th annual Grand Blue Mile. All participants receive a commemorative shirt and bib. Those who participated in the Drake Road Races as well can receive a Bulldog Double Medal. New this year is Spike's Sprint. This is a new youth event for children between the ages of two and 10. The event was named after Drake's mascot, Spike the bulldog. Children will participate in an age-based sprint with varying distances based on age. Each participant receives a bib and a finisher giveaway, plus a front row seat in the Mascot Madness race. In recent years, the Grand Blue Mile served as the USA Track & Field 1-Mile Championships. For the first time this year, the Grand Blue Mile will serve as a selection event for the 2025 World Road Running Championship. The top two finishers in the men's race and the top two finishers in the women's race will be automatically selected to represent Team USA at the World Championships later this year. 'Growing up here in Central Iowa, it really is magical to see a National Championship just in the shadow of our skyline, right here in the heart of our city and in the center of our state come to life every spring. So, it means a lot, not just for me but for our entire community,' said Boldon. Urbandale family seeks change in school child abuse investigations after their experience Just feet away from the finish line is the Honorary World Record Way. This is located on 13th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street. The Des Moines City Council approved the World Record Way following the performances by Nikki Hiltz and Sam Prakel at the 2023 Grand Blue Mile. They were the first-ever world records in the road mile. Organizers say they're expecting history to be made again this year. 'I'm going to make an early prediction that we'll see an American record here on the city streets of Des Moines tonight,' said Boldon. Roads will be closed throughout Downtown Des Moines because of the Grand Blue Mile. The closures start as early as 9 a.m. and go as late as 11 p.m. They are mainly between Grand Avenue and Locust Street, from as far east as 6th Avenue to as far west as 15th Street. Aside from getting the chance to watch history take place, there will also be family-friendly activities like a bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, and a DJ. Records expected to be broken at 16th annual Grand Blue Mile Ames teen with gun arrested in Des Moines carjacking How a class project revived St. Anthony's middle school track team Pleasant Hill family reminisce on meeting Pope Francis twice Des Moines shooting leaves one seriously injured Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Drake Relays kick off with the Drake Road Races
DES MOINES, Iowa — The 2025 Drake Relays have officially kicked off with the sound of the starting pistol at the Drake Road Races. 3,432 runners are participating in the 5k, 10k, and half marathon during the 57th annual Drake Road Races. Blake Boldon, the Director of the Drake Relays said the races were sold out and it was the first time the races have sold out by April 1st. They even added additional spots for the 5k and 10k. This is the most participants at the Drake Road Races since pre-pandemic times. To many in the track world, the Drake Road Races are more than just races. Some dream of competing on the iconic Blue Oval in Drake Stadium. The men's half marathon winner, Seth Kilborn of Marshalltown, grew up watching the races. He fulfilled a dream of his on Saturday by competing on the blue oval for the first time in his life. 'Honestly, this flag is a dream come true. I always wanted one. I never got to run on this track in high school or college or anything, so first time running on this track is very special,' said Kilborn. The Drake Road Races kick off a whole week of fun in Des Moines for the Drake Relays. Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Historic Iowa track meet streaming exclusively on new WHO 13+ app
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake Relays are just a few weeks away from another historic year where Olympic athletes can be seen sharing crowds with high school athletes from the state of Iowa. While the 115th year of the event is certainly a premier event in the track and field world, another historic event will be adding more history to its arsenal, thanks to the WHO 13+ app. Associate Athletics Director at Drake University and Drake Relays Director Blake Boldon stopped by the Today in Iowa studios to discuss the broadcast of the high school Jim Duncan Invitational and the excitement of Olympic gold medalists competing at this year's Drake Relays. WHO 13+ streaming app now available on Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV For the first time, on April 12th, you can watch high school athletes in Saturday's 48th annual Jim Duncan Invitational streaming in its entirety. WHO 13 has launched a free streaming app available on Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Search for WHO 13+ on your smart TV or connected device and download the app. The track and field meet begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with the Girls 800 Meter Medley and concludes with the Boys 4X400 Meter Relay at 5:38 p.m. Only the track events will be shown during the streaming broadcast. The field events will not be shown. Friday's collegiate schedule of the Jim Duncan Invitational is not included in our WHO 13+ programming. To attend in person just go to and click on the tickets tab. Jim Duncan Invitational tickets are $8 for Friday's university session. Tickets are $13 for Saturday's high school session. You can find a complete schedule of events here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
