DES MOINES, IOWA – The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom is bringing back the Drake Relays Health and Fitness Expo hosted by Catch Des Moines! Athletes competing in the Drake Road Races and the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will receive their race day essentials on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Knapp Center on the campus of Drake University. Expo events will kick off with early afternoon yoga and be followed by a world-class speaker lineup.

"Drake Relays is a world-class event that we look forward to each year," said Catch Des Moines CEO and President Greg Edwards. "With the huge impact the relays have on our metro, we are pleased to be part of the event on a larger scale, as the Relays Health and Fitness Expo sponsor. This will help kickoff the events that bring in top athletes to the iconic Blue Oval."

Get your mind and body race day ready as Lindsay Bordwell from Yoga + Co guides participants through a yoga session from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
The Health and Fitness Expo Speaker lineup includes:

12:30 – 1:15 p.m.: Live Podcast: Coffee Club by Morgan McDonald, with special guests Isaac Basten and Adam Fogg of Drake Track & Field
Morgan McDonald is among the world's best distance runners and as one of the fastest growing podcasts in the distance running community. While at Wisconsin, McDonald won four NCAA National Titles and last year he established a new Drake Relays record of 13:21.39 in the Men's 5000 meters before representing Australia in the Tokyo Olympics.  

He will be joined two of the top milers in the NCAA, Adam Fogg who finished fourth at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and Isaac Basten, who finished fifth in same meet in 2022. Among many topics, the three will discuss how to build speed and advice for race tactics at the Grand Blue Mile. Guests will have the chance to ask questions of all three of these incredible stars in the sport of track and field.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.: Danna Herrick, PT, DPT of Rock Valley Physical Therapy.

Danna will be sharing her progression in the sport to the professional level, the distances running has taken her, and how the importance of community has developed her into the runner and individual she is today. Danna was a professional marathon runner for Brooks Hansons in Michigan and boasts a lifetime best of 2:32:19 that she set at the Frankfurt Marathon in 2019, finishing 16^th. In her professional career, Herrick had top 20 finishes at both the New York City Marathon (2019) and Chicago Marathon (2017), two of the World Marathon Majors. Danna currently combines her profession with her passion as a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health and as a competitive mother-runner and will open questions and conversation to all levels of running, postpartum activity, and beyond.

The event is free and open to the public and will feature health and fitness vendors including Fitness Sports, MOVEWELL Iowa, Iowa IV and an appearance by Cubbie Bear (Iowa Cubs mascot). After getting your race day gear and enjoying the expo, plan your Des Moines adventure with the Catch List courtesy of Catch Des Moines.

Registration information for the Drake Road Races is available at drakeroadraces.org and the Grand Blue Mile at grandbluemile.org.