Latest news with #DrakeRoadRaces
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
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drake Week: Relays, Beautiful Bulldog, Shot Put Contest, more
DES MOINES, Iowa — The 2025 Drake Relays started Saturday with the Drake Road Races, but a busy week of activities awaits competitors and attendees from April 20 to 26. 10th Griff Gives Back Campaign Drake's Griff ll is collecting dog and cat food, along with donations, for The Pet Project Midwest. In its ten years, the campaign has collected more than 150,000 pounds of food. This year, Griff ll hopes to raise 20,000 pounds of food. Final Day of Donations: Monday, April 21 Click here to check on the campaigns progress and make donations. Street Painting Student groups and organizations are invited to visit the Painted Street, where groups will paint a designated square with their interpretation of the 2025 Drake Relay's theme, Racing Thru Time. When: Monday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Painted Street Historic Iowa track meet streaming exclusively on new WHO 13+ app 46th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest Drawing dogs from across the state and country, 30 bulldogs gather to take home the title 'Most Beautiful Bulldog' and other titles like best dressed, Drake spirit, rescue dog recognition and porterhouse people's choice. Earlier, the dogs were chosen through a lottery system, and the 2024 runner-up is aiming for first prize this year. When: Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m. Where: Knapp Center Doors open at 5 p.m. for the Rescue Dog Festival and Kids Zone Grand Blue Mile Presented by Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, the annual race has hosted competitors from across the world who gather to celebrate health and wellness through live entertainment and festivities. The event includes the Grand Blue Mile, the Grand Blue Mile Youth race, the Virtual Grand Blue Mile, and Spikes Sprint. When: Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. Where: Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines Off the Cuff with Ed & Murph: What's up with Drake Relays weather? World Shot Put Series New this year, the World Shot Put Series Event will hold an open field and a professional field. During the open field, collegiate athletes will compete, and then during the professional field, several of the world's best throwers will participate. When: Wednesday, April 23 at 5:15 p.m. Where: Drake Fieldhouse Track and Field All Week Long Lasting four days, the track and field event brings middle school, high school, college, and professional athletes together for 'America's Athletic Classic.' When: Tuesday, April 22 through Saturday, April 26 Where: Drake Stadium 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
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa Air National Guard Holds Inactivation Ceremony for 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge
FORT DODGE, Iowa — On Sunday, the Iowa Air National Guard held an in-activation ceremony for the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge. The 133rd Test Squadron was in service for more than 75 years and its main mission was to test equipment before use in the battlefield. The Iowa National Guard said in a statement that the reason for the 133rd's in-activation is due to the US Airforce restructuring. Exclusive: 2025 Drake Road Races medals unveiled 'In 2023 the U.S. Air Force initiated divestment of certain mission sets as part ofrestructuring for what they call the 'Great Power Competition.' The mission of the133d Test Squadron was removed from the Iowa Air National Guard as a result ofthese realignment actions,' a press release stated. The 133rd leaves behind a long legacy of testing experimental equipment for the military, something Brigadier General Mark Muckey, the Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard attests to. 'They absolutely had a dramatic impact on bringing new weapon systems to the battlefield with dramatic effect. And that happened here, a one of a kind facility, only one in the Air National Guard here at the 133rd.' Muckey said. The air men and women of the 133rd will be reassigned to units in Sioux City and Des Moines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Exclusive: 2025 Drake Road Races medals unveiled
DES MOINES, Iowa — The 2025 Drake Relays are a little over a month away, and preparations are underway. The Drake Road Races kick off the big track and field event, which starts on Saturday, April 19. Thousands of people have already signed up for 57th Annual Road Races. Assistant Director of the Drake Relays, Ben Huftalin, joined Zach Fisher on Today in Iowa Sunday, where he unveiled this year's medal design. Local cafe is a classroom for Oskaloosa high schoolers 'We wanted to showcase the history and the iconic blue oval that is the track and Drake stadium,' Huftalin said. 'So, what better way to do that than to have the blue oval front and center on these medals. No matter what race you're running, you get to finish on the iconic blue oval; that makes for a really unique and cool place to finish a race.' Drake officials say they added the World Shot Put series at the Drake Field House to the Relays lineup. Three-time Olympian Ryan Crouser will be one of the participants this year. The Drake Relays are set for April 23 – 26. You can buy all session tickets online by going to Drake University Atheltics department. You can also register for the Roads Races by going to Drake Road Races website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
