DES MOINES - The Drake Relays and Track Guy speaker series returns to the Des Moines metro area on Tuesday, February 11 at Rookies Bar and Grill in Clive at 6:15 p.m.  Host Mike Jay, the voice of the Drake Relays and a founder of Track Guy will moderate a distinguished track and field panel along with Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, providing perspective on "America's Athletic Classic."
 
"There's well over 100 years of experience with the Drake Relays among the group that will speak at Rookies," said Boldon. "The panel includes athletes Brogan Austin and Randy Wilson, the press with Mike Mahon and Chuck Schoffner, and meet management with Dave Mills."
 
Austin is training to compete at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon on Feb. 29 in Atlanta.  He claimed the 2018 USA Marathon title at the California International Marathon with an impressive 2:12:38 to qualify for the trials.  A Drake graduate, Austin was the Drake Relays champion in the Invitational 10,000 meters in 2019 and 5000 meters in 2013.
 
A track standout at Oklahoma, Wilson still holds the Drake Relays record in the invitational 800m set as a collegian over 40 years ago.  He continues to give back to the sport as a track official for the Drake Relays along with officiating other meets across the state. 
 
Mahon is a track and field historian who has worked as a press officer at meets in the US and around the world including three Summer Olympic Games.  He was the media coordinator for the Drake Relays for 22 years and currently serves on the Relays Committee.

A three-time chair and current member of the Relays Committee, Mills has been involved with the Drake Relays for well over 60 years.  A Drake alumnus, he serves on the High School Selection Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee
 
A Drake graduate and retired Associated Press reporter, Schoffner has covered the Drake Relays on press row for over 45 years.  He is a member of the Relays Committee and chairs the High School Selection Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee. 
 
Mark your calendar for the final event of the 2020 Drake Relays and Track Guy speaker series March 21 in Dubuque.
 
The 111^th edition of the Drake Relays is April 22-25 with All-Session, All-American, Gold and Silver ticket packages on sale now.  Single session tickets go on sale Feb. 19. 
 
The Track Guy organization uses proceeds from track and field themed apparel designed and printed in Iowa to give back to cross country and track and field communities by supporting Iowa's young athletes. Track Guy intends to generate funding for camps, clinics, coaching seminars, shoe drives and entry fees for road races.