DES MOINES, Iowa – The 50
th edition of the Drake Road Races will feature a new date, new fast courses, a new 10k race and finishes inside Drake Stadium on the iconic Blue Oval,
Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays announced Tuesday, Oct. 10.
"We're thrilled to move the Drake Road Races to April 22 to officially start Relays week and give all participants a chance to run on the Blue Oval," Boldon said. "We've spent the last year listening to the running community and realized how important the opportunity to finish on the Blue Oval is to our runners, so we're overjoyed to restart that great tradition. The addition of a 10k course also fills a gap in racing distances and provides a great lineup of races for runners of all ages and abilities."
To help celebrate the excitement of the 50
th anniversary, registration for all three races will be 50 percent off during the first day of registration Tuesday, Oct. 17. This one-day only discount includes the half marathon, 5k and new this year, a 10k course with all three races finishing on the Blue Oval Sunday, April 22.
The new date makes the Drake Relays Road Races the first official event of the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee and starts off a full week of events for the 109
th running of America's Athletic Classic. The new date also allows every competitor to be one of the first athletes to cross the finish line on the Blue Oval as all three races will again finish inside Drake Stadium and lead up to that day's Beautiful Bulldog contest.
All finishers of the 5k, 10k and half marathon races receive a commemorative Drake Relays Road Races 50
th anniversary finishers medal, a long-sleeved technical shirt and free admission to the Thursday night Distance Carnival at the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee plus other exclusive special promotions and benefits.
Registration is 50 percent off only on Oct. 17 with discounted prices set as follows:
5k- $20, 10k - $30 and half marathon - $40. Registration information will be available at DrakeRelays.org.
