Wikipedia

Texas Relays

The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays is 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

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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

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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 alleged issues involving crime, some local businesses close for the Relays weekend.[7][8] In 2009 Highland Mall closed several hours earlier than normal on account of the Texas Relays.[9]

Some advocates of the Relays state that there is not a significant increase in crime during the Relays weekend. Some businesses have nonetheless chosen to not operate or to close early.[10][11][12][13]

Divisions

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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.[14]

Events held

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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 ✓ ✓
10,000 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 ✓
4 × 100 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 200 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 400 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 800 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 1500 m relay ✓
1600m sprint medley ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Distance medley ✓ ✓ ✓

Source.[15] Note: Some men's events are combined for the university and College divisions.

Meet records

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Men

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Men's meeting records of the Texas Relays
Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref.
100 m 9.90 ( 2.0 m/s) Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku   Ghana 25 March 2022 [16]
200 m 19.81 ( 0.8 m/s) Terrance Laird   United States 27 March 2021 [17]
400 m 44.62 Bryce Deadmon   United States 27 March 2021 [17]
800 m 1:45.31 Oussama El Bouchayby   Morocco 30 March 2023 [18]
1500 m 3:41.15 Paul Larkins   Great Britain 1984
Mile 3:56.98 Leonel Manzano   United States 2008
5000 m 13:38.28 Ernest Cheruiyot   Kenya 28 March 2024 [19]
10,000 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 [20]
3000 m steeplechase 8:27.70 Henry Marsh   United States 1977
High jump 2.33 m Mark Boswell   Canada 2000
JuVaughn Harrison   United States 1 April 2023 [18]
Pole vault 5.92 m Renaud Lavillenie   France 31 March 2018 [21]
Shawnacy Barber   Canada 31 March 2018 [21]
Armand Duplantis   Sweden 31 March 2018 [21]
Long jump 8.23 m Richard Duncan   Canada 1997
Triple jump 17.09 m ( 2.0 m/s) O'Brien Wasome   Jamaica 30 March 2024 [22]
Shot put 21.54 m Adrian Piperi   United States 26 March 2022 [23]
Discus throw 66.01 m Julian Wruck   Australia 30 March 2013 [24]
Hammer throw 76.29 m Denzel Comenentia   Netherlands 29 March 2018 [25]
Javelin throw 89.10 m Patrik Bodén   Sweden 24 March 1990
Decathlon 8708 pts Leo Neugebauer   Germany 27–28 March 2024 [26]
100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m
10.74 ( 0.9 m/s) 7.81 m ( 0.5 m/s) 17.26 m 2.05 m 47.99 14.51 ( 1.0 m/s) 51.50 m 5.10 m 58.99 m 4:51.05
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 2:59.73 Tiger Olympians:
Quincy Downing
Michael Cherry
Vernon Norwood
Tyler Terry 		  United States 26 March 2022 [27]
4 × 800 m relay 7:15.66 South Plains College:
Aron Tanui
Trayquan Francis
Chevonne Hall
Kimar Farquharson 		  United States 1 April 2023 [28]
4 × 1500 m relay 15:08.67 Arkansas   United States 1999
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8) 3:12.13 Arkansas   United States 2000
Distance medley relay 9:29.40 UTEP   United States 1979

Women

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Women's meeting records of the Texas Relays
Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref.
100 m 10.93 Dawn Sowell   United States 1989
200 m 22.08 ( 1.2 m/s) Gabrielle Thomas   United States 30 March 2024 [29]
400 m 50.19 Shamier Little   United States 27 March 2021 [17]
800 m 2:00.25 Shafiqua Maloney   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 28 March 2024 [30]
1500 m 4:13.53 Dana Mecke   United States 31 March 2018 [31]
3000 m 9:13.90 Teena Colebrook   Great Britain 1991
5000 m 15:25.27 Elizabeth Leachman   United States 28 March 2024 [32]
10,000 m 31:28.92 Francie Larrieu-Smith   United States 1991
100 m hurdles 12.36 ( 2.0 m/s) Masai Russell   United States 1 April 2023 [18]
400 m hurdles 54.37 Britton Wilson   United States 25 March 2022 [27]
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 [33]
Pole vault 4.91 m Jenn Suhr   United States 30 March 2019 [34]
Long jump 7.14 m ( 1.0 m/s) Tara Davis   United States 26 March 2021 [35]
Triple jump 14.48 m ( 1.0 m/s) Tori Franklin   United States 30 March 2018 [36]
Shot put 18.58 m Laura Gerraughty   United States 2006
Discus throw 67.98 m Valarie Allman   United States 29 March 2024 [37]
Hammer throw 74.18 m Brooke Anderson   United States 28 March 2019 [38]
Javelin throw 60.82 m Kara Winger   United States 27 March 2015 [39]
Heptathlon 6412 pts Anna Hall   United States 23–24 March 2022 [23]
100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m
13.41 ( 1.6 m/s) 1.77 m 13.45 m 23.81 (−0.1 m/s) 6.23 m ( 0.9 m/s) 40.98 m 2:04.61
4 × 100 m relay 42.00 University of Texas:
Julien Alfred
Ezinne Abba
Lanae Thomas
Kevona Davis
  Saint Lucia
  United States
  United States
  Jamaica 		1 April 2023 [40]
4 × 200 m relay 1:27.05 WB Team International:
Dina Asher-Smith
Rhasidat Adeleke
Lanae-Tava Thomas
Julien Alfred
  Great Britain
  Ireland
  Jamaica
  Saint Lucia 		30 March 2024 [41]
4 × 400 m relay 3:22.94 University of Texas:
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Stacey-Ann Williams
Davicia Patterson
  Ireland
  United States
  United States
  United States 		25 March 2022 [27]
4 × 800 m relay 8:20.69 Louisiana State University:
Lorena Rangel Batres
Callie Hardy
Cindy Bourdier
Michaela Rose 		  United States 1 April 2023 [42]
4 × 1500 m relay 18:11.51 Arkansas:
Paige Johnston
Jillian Rosen
Miranda Walker
Kristen Gillespie 		  United States 8 April 2011
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8) 3:36.10 University of Texas:
Julien Alfred
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Valery Tobias
  Saint Lucia
  Ireland
  United States
  United States 		31 March 2023 [43]
Distance medley relay 10:59.86 Louisiana State University:
Cindy Bourdier
Garriel White
Michaela Rose
Lorena Rangel Batres 		  United States 31 March 2023 [44]

Results by year

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2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s 1920s
2029 2019 2009 1999 1989 1979 1969 1959 1949 1939 1929
2028 2018 2008 1998 1988 1978 1968 1958 1948 1938 1928
2027 2017 2007 1997 1987 1977 1967 1957 1947 1937 1927
2026 2016 2006 1996 1986 1976 1966 1956 1946 1936 1926
2025 2015 2005 1995 1985 1975 1965 1955 1945 1935 1925
2024 2014 2004 1994 1984 1974 1964 1954 1944 1934
2023 2013 2003 1993 1983 1973 1963 1953 1943 1933
2022 2012 2002 1992 1982 1972 1962 1952 1942 1932
2021 2011 2001 1991 1981 1971 1961 1951 1941 1931
2020 2010 2000 1990 1980 1970 1960 1950 1940 1930

References

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General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Austin businesses to close weekend of Texas Relays". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Austin clubs, mall plan to close during Relays". Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  9. ^ "Activists, residents protest outside Highland Mall". Archived from the original on 2009-04-15.
  10. ^ Austin welcomes Texas Relays visitors, officials say 30 March 2010.
  11. ^ Boarded-Up Bars During Texas Relays Raise Eyebrows 21 April 2011.
  12. ^ “Welcome” to the Police State of 6ixth 9 April 2011.
  13. ^ Austin, TX: Afraid of a lot of black people? 2009. ClutchFans.
  14. ^ "2005 Entries Information". TexasSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03.
  15. ^ "2006 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays schedule". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
  16. ^ Kofi Asare (27 March 2022). "Benjamin Azamati Sets New National 100m Record". kofiasare.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  17. ^ a b c Doug Binder (28 March 2021). "LSU's Terrance Laird Leaves Field in the Dust With 19.81 200 Meters at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  18. ^ a b c "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  19. ^ "5000m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  20. ^ "400m Hurdles Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  21. ^ a b c Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  22. ^ "Men's Triple Jump Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  23. ^ a b Jon Mulkeen (26 March 2022). "Thomas, Harrison and Barnes fly to speedy wind-assisted times at Texas Relays". World Athletics. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Discus Throw Results". www.texassports.com. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  25. ^ "Distance Events highlight Day Two of 2018 Texas Relays". texassports.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Neugebauer Shatters Texas Relays Decathlon Record with 8,708 Points". watchathletics.com. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  27. ^ a b c "2022 Texas Relays Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Men's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Women's 200m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  30. ^ "800m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Texas Relays 2018 Results". tfrrs.org. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  32. ^ "5000m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  33. ^ James Dunaway (1 April 2012). "Richards-Ross and Duncan impress at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  34. ^ "Pole Vault Result". tfrrs.org. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  35. ^ Tyler Mayforth (26 March 2021). "COLLEGIATE RECORD: Tara Davis Sets Outdoor LJ Standard". USTFCCCA. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "Discus Throw Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Austin -TX- (United States), 27-30.3.2019 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.com. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  39. ^ "Javelin Throw Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  40. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  41. ^ "Women's 4×200m Relay Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Women's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  43. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Women's DMR Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
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