DES MOINES, IOWA -- The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom announced the addition of the Blazing 10k Club Competition, in collaboration with Runablaze Iowa, a Des Moines based elite distance running club. The 10k elite race will be contested during the 54th Annual Drake Road Races marking the official start of the 112th edition of America's Athletic Classic in April.
The new elite competition will take place on April 24, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. attracting athletes from around the region. Runablaze Iowa will actively be recruiting USATF men's and women's teams and athletes to create a highly competitive field. This new race is in addition to the existing community 10k run for runners of all abilities.
"After the successes of past Drake Road Races, we're proud to partner with Runablaze Iowa to showcase the Midwest's top road runners," Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director said. "In 2021, Runablaze created a successful event to provide a competitive opportunity for these athletes and it will be exciting to see them return to Des Moines to start a new tradition here at the Relays."
"Runablaze Iowa is excited for the opportunity to work with Drake Relays on the Elite 10K team competition," Runablaze Director Tyson Wieland said. "After last year's successful outing on our own, we thought what better way to expand our reach than to join forces with an event that has such a rich running history. This competition will build on our goal of providing high level competitive racing opportunities for our club members while bringing together the best runners in the Midwest and beyond."
A prize purse of $2,000 is on the line for the elite teams competing. The top three teams in each the male and female divisions will receive the following prize money for their showing.
· 1st Place: $500
· 2nd Place: $300
· 3rd Place: $200
Registration information and race details are available at DrakeRoadRaces.org.
About Runablaze
Runablaze - Iowa's Elite Distance Running Club is based out of Des Moines, Iowa with members statewide. Founded in 2006, their mission is to develop and support post-collegiate, Iowa-based distance runners and provide athletes with coaching, training gear, and travel expenses to national championship races.
