The Penn Relays are Coming!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on April 19, 2010
When Ben Franklin wasn’t busy toiling at his printing press, discovering electricity, inventing bifocals, and running the fire department, he was gathering all the founding fathers and the swiftest Revolutionary soldiers to compete in foot races. Well… not exactly. But he’d certainly be proud of The Penn Relays, a century-plus tradition at his namesake field and the oldest and largest track meet in the country. Taking place every year since 1895 at the University of Pennsylvania, over 15,000 high school, college, and professional athletes gather for five days of competition in over 425 events (that averages out to about one race every five minutes and more athletes than compete in the Olympic Games!).
The Penn Relays showcase just about every track and field event imaginable, from classic sprints of every distance, to hurdles, long jumps, pole vaults, shot puts, and javelin throws (click here for the full schedule of when each event will occur). The massive event is a highlight of Franklin Field’s year, and is on the calendar of every track and field athlete and fan in the region – as well as abroad. You can see future Olympians as well as some who are already household names: running in this year’s 4x100 relay is three-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt, returning to Franklin Field for the first time since his teenage years.
Officially, the relays are called “The Penn Relay Carnival,” which is pretty fitting considering all the hoopla that surrounds the events. There’s food, merchandise, exhibitions and giveaways accompanying the main events. Check out the re-vamped website for all the information you need about tickets, timing, and details. For those of you who aren’t amongst the 100,000 or so who will make it to the event, the website will be constantly updated with results, videos, and blog posts.
April 21-24
Franklin Field
235 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.thepennrelays.com
Related Destination: Franklin Field »
Related Categories: Family Fun, Universities + Colleges, Sports
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