Status Update: As of March 15, 2021
Next Scheduled Update: March 29, 2021

Planning for the 2021 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom is in progress. Senior staff are working closely with public health experts, government officials, and sports governing bodies to create a world-class event while following COVID-19 guidelines and prioritizing health and safety. The latest event information is posted below:

Elite Invitational
Planning continues.
The Drake Relays also recently achieved Silver Level status from World Athletics and announced the elite events that will be staged.

University
Planning continues. This will be a national caliber competition with NCAA Division I teams only. If your team is interested in competing, send an email to drakerelays@drake.edu.  Entries opened on March 13 at DirectAthletics.com.

Note: The University/College combined events (i.e. decathlon and heptathlon) have been canceled for this year.

College
Planning continues. NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III, NAIA and Iowa community college teams will be considered for competition in this division. If your team is interested in attending, send an email to: meetmgmt@drake.edu. Entries opened on March 13 at DirectAthletics.com.

Note: The University/College combined events (i.e. decathlon and heptathlon) have been canceled for this year. 

High School 
All of the high school competitions will be held at Drake Stadium on Thursday, April 22, and tentatively from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Strict COVID-19 protocols will be enforced.
At this time, the following details have been confirmed:
- All high school running events will be run as finals, except for the 4x100 meter relay which will have preliminaries.
- All high school field events will have preliminaries and finals.
- The 4x100 meter relay qualifiers will likely be reduced from 96 to 48 teams for high school boys, and from 96 teams to 48 teams for high school girls.
- The number of qualifiers for all other high school events will remain the same as in 2019, the most recent year of high school competition at the Drake Relays.

Additionally, given Iowa's position as a leader in the adaptive sports movement and with increased participation in wheelchair events at the high school level statewide, the Drake Relays will add a coed high school 400-meter wheelchair event. 

Decisions and guidelines regarding spectators and ticketing are still being made. Details will be announced as soon as possible.

Entries are now open

Middle School
Planning continues. Final determinations to be posted as soon as possible. 

Elementary School
Canceled: The elementary school shuttle relay races will not be held this year due to health and safety concerns. Schools that had inquired about participating have been notified. 

Masters 800m
Canceled:  The Masters 800m will not be held this year given health concerns and meet logistics, but look forward to its return in 2022.  Participants from 2020 will be notified.  


Affiliated Events
Drake Road Races
Registration Underway for In-Person or Virtual Participation: Registration is currently open for the 53rd Drake Road Races, to be held in-person Sunday, April 18. Races will start outside Drake Stadium and finish on the iconic Blue Oval with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Participants also have the option to participate virtually anywhere in the country from April 17-25. 

With limited capacity for each race distance, all current registrants and those who elected to defer their registration from 2020 are being given the first opportunity to switch to the in-person event. Registrants must update their registration today (March 15); registration will open back up to the public on March 16, when there will be limited registrations available for each race distance. The in-person event prices are 5k ($40) and Half ($80). 

To register or for more details, visit https://www.drakeroadraces.org
 
Grand Blue Mile
Registration Underway: As the second largest one-mile community run and walk in the nation, we will not be able to ensure the proper social distancing of all participants through the one-mile race course in downtown Des Moines in 2021. To continue prioritizing the health and well-being of our participants, spectators and community, this year's event is continuing in an all-virtual format. Registration for the 12th Annual Grand Blue Mile is underway for only $10 and includes a GBM 2021 race shirt. Register by April 1 at: https://www.grandbluemile.com/register/

Pole Vault at Capital Square
Canceled: This popular community event that has drawn thousands to downtown Des Moines will not be held in 2021 due to the health and safety concerns associated with mass gathering in a limited capacity indoor venue.

The 42nd annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest 
Will be held Sunday, April 18, time TBD. Typically, the contest involves 40 English Bulldogs. For this year's contest, only 20 Bulldogs will walk the pageant runway to compete for the title of Most Beautiful Bulldog. (Note: Registration is closed.) The 20 contestants will be chosen by votes from Drake University students. Watch for updates at www.drake.edu/beautifulbulldog or www.facebook.com/beautifulbulldog.