DES MOINES, Iowa -- Nearly 3,000 runners of all ages and abilities raced through the streets of Des Moines before finishing inside Drake Stadium to officially start the 2024 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom with the 56th annual Drake Road Races Sunday morning.
 
Runners challenged each other and their personal bests in 5k, 10k, and half marathon races in brisk but calm and sunny conditions to become the first athletes of the week to cross the finish line on the Blue Oval.
 
"It was an exceptional day with athletes from all over the United States competing," said Drake Road Races Director Ben Huftalin. "The atmosphere was fantastic from the start to the finish on the iconic Blue Oval.  The energy throughout the course was incredible and it wouldn't have happened without the support of the Drake Relays."
 
The half marathon featured a sold-out field for the third-straight year, with 1,005 runners navigating the 13.1-mile course. Mark Abrams of Minneapolis, Minn., won the men's half marathon with a time of 1:10.45, while Pasca Myers from Ames, Iowa, won the women's race in 1:18.49.
 
808 took to the 10k course, with Jessica McKee from Johnston winning the women's race in 36:46. Henry Klitze of Minneapolis, Minn., took top honors in the men's race at 30:34.
 
The 5k featured 960 entries, with Nicole Borner of Indianola, Iowa, topping the field with a 17:39 finish. Kyle Pape of Ankeny won the men's race in 15:30. 
 
The 57th annual Drake Road Races are scheduled for Saturday, April 19.