The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays is an annual track and field competition held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. The University of Texas serves as host for the event, held on either the first or second weekend of April.

Events are held in High School, College, University, and Invitational divisions.

History

In response to cold-weather conditions at the Kansas Relays,[1] the Texas Relays was started as a men's-only competition in 1925 by University of Texas coach Clyde Littlefield and athletic director Theo Bellmont.[2] The Relays were held at Memorial Stadium until Mike A. Myers Stadium was opened in 1999.[3] The meet was not held 1932–1934 as a result of the Great Depression.[3] Women's events were added in 1963.[3]

To encourage attendance in the early years of the event, various publicity stunts were staged. The most successful was a 1927 stunt in which three Tarahumaras were invited to the Relays. These men were famed as runners who never stopped running. A race was staged between the men from San Antonio to Memorial Stadium. After 14 hours and 53 minutes, the 89 mile race ended in a tie.[1]

In 1977, electronic timing was introduced at the Relays, and Olympic gold medalist and Texas Longhorns football player John Wesley Jones recorded a time of 9.85 seconds in the 100 meter dash. This would have set a world record, but it was determined that the timer malfunctioned, and the time was unofficial.[1]

The Texas Relays are currently the second largest track meet in the United States, behind only the Penn Relays.[4] Today, approximately 50,000 spectators and 5,000 athletes attend the events.[1][5]

Local impact

According to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2007, the Relays generate US$8 million for local business.[6] Much of this traced to the fact that the event has become a social destination for young African-Americans. A number of groups organize networking and development events for African-Americans to take place in downtown Austin during the Relays.

Following alleged issues involving crime, some local businesses close for the Relays weekend.[7][8]

Some advocates of the Relays state that there is not a significant increase in crime during the Relays weekend. Some businesses have nonetheless chosen to not operate or to close early.[9][10][11][12]

Divisions

The University Division is open to schools in NCAA Division I. The College Division is open to schools in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, or NJCAA schools. The University/College Division is open to schools that qualify for either division separately. The High School Division is separated into two levels, Division I and Division II. Division I is open to schools in the University Interscholastic League classes A, AA, or AAA (or their interstate equivalents). Division II is open to schools in UIL classes AAAA or AAAAA. Schools that normally compete in Division I may compete in Division II if they wish.[13]

Events held

Event Invitational Men Invitational Women University Men College Men University / College Women High School Boys High School Girls
100 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
1500 m ✓ ✓
1600 m ✓ ✓
Mile ✓
3200 m ✓ ✓
5000 m ✓ ✓
10000 m ✓ ✓
100 m hurdles ✓ ✓ ✓
110 m hurdles ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
400 m hurdles ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
2000 m steeplechase ✓ ✓
3000 m steeplechase ✓ ✓
High jump ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Pole vault ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Long jump ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Triple jump ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Shot put ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Discus throw ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Hammer throw ✓ ✓
Javelin throw ✓ ✓
Heptathlon ✓
Decathlon ✓
4 × 100 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 200 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 400 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 800 m relay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 × 1500 m relay ✓
1600m sprint medley ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Distance medley ✓ ✓ ✓

Source:.[14] Note: Some men's events are combined for the university and College divisions.

Meet records

Men

Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref
100 m 9.90 (+2.0 m/s) Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku  Ghana 25 March 2022 [15]
200 m 19.81 (+0.8 m/s) Terrance Laird  United States 27 March 2021 [16]
400 m 44.62 Bryce Deadmon  United States 27 March 2021 [16]
800 m 1:45.31 Oussama El Bouchayby  Morocco 30 March 2023 [17]
1500 m 3:41.15 Paul Larkins  Great Britain 1984
Mile 3:56.98 Leonel Manzano  United States 2008
5000 m 13:41.38 Mark Anderson  United States 1980
10000 m 28:05.36 Michael Musyoki  United States 1984
110 m hurdles 13.13 Larry Wade  United States 2004
400 m hurdles 48.44 Michael Stigler  United States 27 March 2015 [18]
3000 m steeplechase 8:27.70 Henry Marsh  United States 1977
High jump 2.33 m Mark Boswell  Canada 2000
JuVaughn Harrison  United States 1 April 2023 [19]
Pole vault 5.92 m Renaud Lavillenie  France 31 March 2018 [20]
Shawnacy Barber  Canada 31 March 2018 [20]
Armand Duplantis  Sweden 31 March 2018 [20]
Long jump 8.23 m Richard Duncan  Canada 1997
Triple jump 17.04 m (+1.4 m/s) Matthew O'Neal  United States 31 March 2017 [21]
Shot put 21.54 m Adrian Piperi  United States 26 March 2022 [22]
Discus throw 66.01 m Julian Wruck  Australia 30 March 2013 [23]
Hammer throw 76.29 m Denzel Comenentia  Netherlands 29 March 2018 [24]
Javelin throw 89.10 m Patrik Bodén  Sweden 24 March 1990
Decathlon 8478 pts Leo Neugebauer  Germany 29–30 March 2023 [25]
100m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400m 110H (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500m
10.75 (0.0 m/s) 7.47 m (-1.0 m/s) 16.66 m 2.04 m 48.83 14.33 (+1.3 m/s) 52.65 m 5.10 m 51.92 m 4:50.31
4 × 100 m relay 37.88 HSI  United States 2001
4 × 200 m relay 1:19.88 Austin All Stars  United States 1999
4 × 400 m relay 2:59.73 Tiger Olympians
Quincy Downing
Michael Cherry
Vernon Norwood
Tyler Terry 		 United States 26 March 2022 [26]
4 × 800 m relay 7:15.66 South Plains College
Aron Tanui
Trayquan Francis
Chevonne Hall
Kimar Farquharson 		 United States 1 April 2023 [27]
4 × 1500 m relay 15:08.67 Arkansas  United States 1999
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8) 3:12.13 Arkansas  United States 2000
Distance medley relay 9:29.40 UTEP  United States 1979

Women

Event Record Athlete Nationality Date Ref
100 m 10.93 Dawn Sowell  United States 1989
200 m 22.46 (+1.2 m/s) Gabrielle Thomas  United States 1 April 2023 [28]
400 m 50.19 Shamier Little  United States 27 March 2021 [16]
800 m 2:02.25 Chrishuna Williams  United States 30 March 2017 [29]
1500 m 4:13.53 Dana Mecke  United States 31 March 2018 [30]
3000 m 9:13.90 Teena Colebrook  Great Britain 1991
5000 m 15:29.85 Midde Hamrin  Sweden 1984
10000 m 31:28.92 Francie Larrieu-Smith  United States 1991
100 m hurdles 12.36 (+2.0 m/s) Masai Russell  United States 1 April 2023 [31]
400 m hurdles 54.37 Britton Wilson  United States 25 March 2022 [32]
3000 m steeplechase 10:10.93 Trina Cox  United States 2006
High jump 1.95 m Erin Aldrich  United States 2000
Amy Acuff 31 March 2012 [33]
Pole vault 4.91 m Jenn Suhr  United States 30 March 2019 [34]
Long jump 7.14 m (+1.0 m/s) Tara Davis  United States 26 March 2021 [35]
Triple jump 14.48 m (+1.0 m/s) Tori Franklin  United States 30 March 2018 [36]
Shot put 18.58 m Laura Gerraughty  United States 2006
Discus throw 67.90 m Valarie Allman  United States 1 April 2023 [37]
Hammer throw 74.18 m Brooke Anderson  United States 28 March 2019 [38]
Javelin throw 60.82 m Kara Winger  United States 27 March 2015 [39]
Heptathlon 6412 pts Anna Hall  United States 23–24 March 2022 [22]
100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m
13.41 (+1.6 m/s) 1.77 m 13.45 m 23.81 (-0.1 m/s) 6.23 m (+0.9 m/s) 40.98 m 2:04.61
4 × 100 m relay 42.00 University of Texas
Julien Alfred
Ezinne Abba
Lanae Thomas
Kevona Davis
 Saint Lucia
 United States
 United States
 Jamaica 		1 April 2023 [40]
4 × 200 m relay 1:28.05 University of Texas
Rhasidat Adeleke
Julien Alfred
Kevona Davis
Lanae Thomas
 Ireland
 Saint Lucia
 Jamaica
 United States 		1 April 2023 [41]
4 × 400 m relay 3:22.94 University of Texas
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Stacey-Ann Williams
Davicia Patterson
 Ireland
 United States
 United States
 United States 		25 March 2022 [42]
4 × 800 m relay 8:20.69 Louisiana State University
Lorena Rangel Batres
Callie Hardy
Cindy Bourdier
Michaela Rose 		 United States 1 April 2023 [43]
4 × 1500 m relay 18:11.51 Arkansas
Paige Johnston
Jillian Rosen
Miranda Walker
Kristen Gillespie 		 United States 8 April 2011
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8) 3:36.10 University of Texas
Julien Alfred
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Valery Tobias
 Saint Lucia
 Ireland
 United States
 United States 		31 March 2023 [44]
Distance medley relay 10:59.86 Louisiana State University
Cindy Bourdier
Garriel White
Michaela Rose
Lorena Rangel Batres 		 United States 31 March 2023 [45]

Texas Relays results

2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s 1920s
2029 2019 2009 1999 1989 1979 1969 1959 1949 1939 1929
2028 2018 2008 1998 1988 1978 1968 1958 1948 1938 1928
2027 2017 2007 1997 1987 1977 1967 1957 1947 1937 1927
2026 2016 2006 1996 1986 1976 1966 1956 1946 1936 1926
2025 2015 2005 1995 1985 1975 1965 1955 1945 1935 1925
2024 2014 2004 1994 1984 1974 1964 1954 1944 1934
2023 2013 2003 1993 1983 1973 1963 1953 1943 1933
2022 2012 2002 1992 1982 1972 1962 1952 1942 1932
2021 2011 2001 1991 1981 1971 1961 1951 1941 1931
2020 2010 2000 1990 1980 1970 1960 1950 1940 1930

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d Holton, Avery (2001-04-05). "Texas Relays: History in the making". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2006-09-04.
  2. ^ "History of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c McMicken, Glen (2005-03-31). "Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays: A to Z". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  4. ^ Treon, Ricky (2006-04-07). "Five reasons to watch Texas' premiere track event". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  5. ^ Rentfro, Daryl (2006-04-05). "Texas Relays 2006 Preview". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  6. ^ Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (2007-03-27). "March Madness Means Millions for Austin". Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19.
  7. ^ "Austin businesses to close weekend of Texas Relays". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Austin clubs, mall plan to close during Relays". Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  9. ^ Austin welcomes Texas Relays visitors, officials say 30 March 2010.
  10. ^ Boarded-Up Bars During Texas Relays Raise Eyebrows 21 April 2011.
  11. ^ “Welcome” to the Police State of 6ixth 9 April 2011.
  12. ^ Austin, TX: Afraid of a lot of black people? 2009. ClutchFans.
  13. ^ "2005 Entries Information". TexasSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03.
  14. ^ "2006 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays schedule". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
  15. ^ Kofi Asare (27 March 2022). "Benjamin Azamati Sets New National 100m Record". kofiasare.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Doug Binder (28 March 2021). "LSU's Terrance Laird Leaves Field in the Dust With 19.81 200 Meters at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  18. ^ "400m Hurdles Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  20. ^ a b c Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Austin -TX- (United States), 29.3-1.4.2017 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.de. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  22. ^ a b Jon Mulkeen (26 March 2022). "Thomas, Harrison and Barnes fly to speedy wind-assisted times at Texas Relays". World Athletics. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Discus Throw Results". www.texassports.com. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  24. ^ "Distance Events highlight Day Two of 2018 Texas Relays". texassports.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  26. ^ "2022 Texas Relays Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Men's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Austin -TX- (United States), 29.3-1.4.2017 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.de. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Texas Relays 2018 Results". tfrrs.org. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  32. ^ "2022 Texas Relays Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  33. ^ James Dunaway (1 April 2012). "Richards-Ross and Duncan impress at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  34. ^ "Pole Vault Result". tfrrs.org. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  35. ^ Tyler Mayforth (26 March 2021). "COLLEGIATE RECORD: Tara Davis Sets Outdoor LJ Standard". USTFCCCA. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  36. ^ Adam Kopet (31 March 2018). "Tori Franklin Jumps to Second on All-Time American Triple Jump List at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Austin -TX- (United States), 27-30.3.2019 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.com. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  39. ^ "Javelin Throw Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  40. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  41. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  42. ^ "2022 Texas Relays Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  43. ^ "Women's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  44. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Women's DMR Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

External links

Track and field competitions in the United States
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