Texas Relays
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 last weekend of March or first 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,{{cite news|url=http://tspweb02.tsp.utexas.edu/webarchive/04-05-01/2001040501_s01_Tradition.html|title=Texas Relays: History in the making|date=2001-04-05|author=Holton, Avery|newspaper=The Daily Texan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904114208/http://tspweb02.tsp.utexas.edu/webarchive/04-05-01/2001040501_s01_Tradition.html|archive-date=2006-09-04}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/txr/structure/history.html|title=History of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays|publisher=Texassports.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091501/http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/txr/structure/history.html|archive-date=September 29, 2007}} The Relays were held at Memorial Stadium until Mike A. Myers Stadium was opened in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/txr/2005/040105_11.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091800/http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/txr/2005/040105_11.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2007|title=Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays: A to Z |author=McMicken, Glen|date=2005-03-31|publisher=Texassports.com}} The meet was not held 1932–1934 as a result of the Great Depression. Women's events were added in 1963.
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.
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.
The Texas Relays are currently the second largest track meet in the United States, behind only the Penn Relays.{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/04/05/Sports/Five-Reasons.To.Watch.Texas.Premiere.Track.Event-1783327-page2.shtml|title=Five reasons to watch Texas' premiere track event|date=2006-04-07|author=Treon, Ricky|newspaper=The Daily Texan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221030/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/04/05/Sports/Five-Reasons.To.Watch.Texas.Premiere.Track.Event-1783327-page2.shtml|archive-date=2007-09-30}} Today, approximately 50,000 spectators and 5,000 athletes attend the events.{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/04/05/Sports/Texas.Relays.2006.Preview-1783315.shtml|title=Texas Relays 2006 Preview|author=Rentfro, Daryl|date=2006-04-05|newspaper=The Daily Texan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220337/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/04/05/Sports/Texas.Relays.2006.Preview-1783315.shtml|archive-date=2007-09-30}}
Local impact
According to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2007, the Relays generate US$8 million for local business.{{cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.org/media/press_releases.php?id=210&category=5884|author=Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau|title=March Madness Means Millions for Austin|date=2007-03-27|publisher=Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019054810/http://www.austintexas.org/media/press_releases.php?id=210&category=5884|archive-date=2007-10-19}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.shaggybevo.com/board/showthread.php/33142-Austin-businesses-to-close-weekend-of-Texas-Relays |title=Austin businesses to close weekend of Texas Relays |access-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221063612/http://www.shaggybevo.com/board/showthread.php/33142-Austin-businesses-to-close-weekend-of-Texas-Relays |archive-date=February 21, 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/03/0403sixthstreet.html |title=Austin clubs, mall plan to close during Relays |access-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406103033/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/03/0403sixthstreet.html |archive-date=April 6, 2009 }} In 2009 Highland Mall closed several hours earlier than normal on account of the Texas Relays.{{Cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/12//0412highland.html | title=Activists, residents protest outside Highland Mall | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415055216/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/12//0412highland.html | archive-date=2009-04-15}}
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.[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/austin-welcomes-texas-relays-visitors-officials-sa/nRrdq/ Austin welcomes Texas Relays visitors, officials say] 30 March 2010.[http://austin.eater.com/archives/2011/04/21/boardedup-bars-during-texas-relays-weekend-raise-eyebrows.php Boarded-Up Bars During Texas Relays Raise Eyebrows] 21 April 2011.[http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/04/09/welcome-to-the-police-state-of-6ixth “Welcome” to the Police State of 6ixth] 9 April 2011.[http://bbs.clutchfans.net/printthread.php?t=165761 Austin, TX: Afraid of a lot of black people?] 2009. ClutchFans.
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/txr/structure/entries.html|title=2005 Entries Information|publisher=TexasSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103125350/http://texassports.com/mainpages/txr/structure/entries.html|archive-date=2007-01-03}}
Events held
{{Sticky header}}{{Table alignment}}
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sticky-header defaultcenter col1left" |
scope="col"| Event
!scope="col"| Invitational Men !scope="col"| Invitational Women !scope="col"| University Men !scope="col"| College Men !scope="col"| University / College Women !scope="col"| High School Boys !scope="col"| High School Girls |
---|
scope="row"| 100 m
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||✓ |
scope="row"| 1500 m
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| 1600 m
| || || || || || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Mile
| ✓ || || || || || || |
scope="row"| 3200 m
| || || || || || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| 5000 m
| || ||✓ || || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| 10,000 m
| ✓ || ✓ || || || || || |
scope="row"| 100 m hurdles
| || ✓ || || ||✓ || ||✓ |
scope="row"| 110 m hurdles
| ✓ || ||✓ || ✓ || || ✓ || |
scope="row"| 400 m hurdles
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| 2000 m steeplechase
| || || || || || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| 3000 m steeplechase
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| High jump
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Pole vault
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Long jump
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Triple jump
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Shot put
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Discus throw
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| Hammer throw
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| Javelin throw
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| Heptathlon
| || || || || ✓ || || |
scope="row"| Decathlon
| || || colspan=2| ✓ || || || |
scope="row"| 4 × 100 m relay
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||✓ || ✓|| ✓ || ✓ |
scope="row"| 4 × 200 m relay
| || || || || ✓ || ✓ ||✓ |
scope="row"| 4 × 400 m relay
|✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓||✓ |
scope="row"| 4 × 800 m relay
| || || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||✓ |
scope="row"| 4 × 1500 m relay
| || || ✓ || || || || |
scope="row"| 1600m sprint medley
| || || ✓ || ✓ || || ✓ ||✓ |
scope="row"| Distance medley
| || || || || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ |
Source.{{cite web|url=http://www.texassports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=81&url_article_id=3274&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2|title=2006 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays schedule|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225003/http://www.texassports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=81&url_article_id=3274&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2|archive-date=26 September 2007}} Note: Some men's events are combined for the university and College divisions.
Meet records
=Men=
{{Sticky header}}
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sticky-header"
|+Men's meeting records of the Texas Relays |
scope="col"| Event
!scope="col"| Record !scope="col"| Athlete !scope="col"| Nationality !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
---|
scope="row"|100 m
|9.90 {{wind|+2.0}} |{{flagu|Ghana}} |25 March 2022 |
scope="row"|200 m
|19.81 {{wind|+0.8}} |{{flagu|United States}} |27 March 2021 |
scope="row"|400 m
|44.62 |{{flagu|United States}} |27 March 2021 |
scope="row"|800 m
|1:45.31 |{{flagu|Morocco}} |30 March 2023 |
scope="row"|1500 m
|3:41.15 |{{flagu|Great Britain}} |1984 | |
scope="row"|Mile
|3:56.98 |{{flagu|United States}} |2008 | |
scope="row"|5000 m
|13:38.28 |{{flagu|Kenya}} |28 March 2024 |
scope="row"|10,000 m
|28:05.36 |{{flagu|United States}} |1984 | |
scope="row"|110 m hurdles
|13.13 |{{flagu|United States}} |2004 | |
scope="row"|400 m hurdles
|48.44 |{{flagu|United States}} |27 March 2015 |
scope="row"|3000 m steeplechase
|8:27.70 |{{flagu|United States}} |1977 | |
scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"|High jump
|rowspan="2"|2.33 m |{{flagu|Canada}} |2000 | |
JuVaughn Harrison
|{{flagu|United States}} |1 April 2023 |
scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3"|Pole vault
|rowspan="3"|5.92 m |{{flagu|France}} |31 March 2018 |
Shawnacy Barber
|{{flagu|Canada}} |31 March 2018 |
Armand Duplantis
|{{flagu|Sweden}} |31 March 2018 |
scope="row"|Long jump
|8.23 m |{{flagu|Canada}} |1997 | |
scope="row"|Triple jump
|17.09 m {{wind|+2.0}} |{{flagu|Jamaica}} |30 March 2024 |
scope="row"|Shot put
|21.54 m |{{flagu|United States}} |26 March 2022 |
scope="row"|Discus throw
|66.01 m |{{flagu|Australia}} |30 March 2013 |
scope="row"|Hammer throw
|76.29 m |{{flagu|Netherlands}} |29 March 2018 |
scope="row"|Javelin throw
|89.10 m |{{flagu|Sweden}} |24 March 1990 | |
scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"|Decathlon
|8708 pts |{{flagu|Germany}} |27–28 March 2024 |
colspan="4"|{{Decathlon score|10.74 {{wind|+0.9}}|7.81 m {{wind|+0.5}}|17.26 m|2.05 m|47.99|14.51 {{wind|+1.0}}|51.50 m|5.10 m|58.99 m|4:51.05}}
| |
scope="row"|4 × 100 m relay
|37.88 |HSI |{{flagu|United States}} |2001 | |
scope="row"|4 × 200 m relay
|1:19.88 |Austin All Stars |{{flagu|United States}} |1999 | |
scope="row"|4 × 400 m relay
|2:59.73 |Tiger Olympians: |{{flagu|United States}} |26 March 2022 |
scope="row"|4 × 800 m relay
|7:15.66 |South Plains College: |{{flagu|United States}} |1 April 2023 |
scope="row"|4 × 1500 m relay
|15:08.67 |Arkansas |{{flagu|United States}} |1999 | |
scope="row"|Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)
|3:12.13 |Arkansas |{{flagu|United States}} |2000 | |
scope="row"|Distance medley relay
|9:29.40 |UTEP |{{flagu|United States}} |1979 | |
=Women=
{{Sticky header}}
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sticky-header"
|+Women's meeting records of the Texas Relays |
scope="col"| Event
!scope="col"| Record !scope="col"| Athlete !scope="col"| Nationality !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
---|
scope="row"|100 m
|10.93 |{{flagu|United States}} |1989 | |
scope="row"|200 m
|22.08 {{wind|+1.2}} |{{flagu|United States}} |30 March 2024 |
scope="row"|400 m
|50.19 |{{flagu|United States}} |27 March 2021 |
scope="row"|800 m
|2:00.25 |{{flagu|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} |28 March 2024 |
scope="row"|1500 m
|4:13.53 |{{flagu|United States}} |31 March 2018 |
scope="row"|3000 m
|9:13.90 |{{flagu|Great Britain}} |1991 | |
scope="row"|5000 m
|15:25.27 |{{flagu|United States}} |28 March 2024 |
scope="row"|10,000 m
|31:28.92 |{{flagu|United States}} |1991 | |
scope="row"|100 m hurdles
|12.36 {{wind|+2.0}} |{{flagu|United States}} |1 April 2023 |
scope="row"|400 m hurdles
|54.37 |{{flagu|United States}} |25 March 2022 |
scope="row"|3000 m steeplechase
|10:10.93 |{{flagu|United States}} |2006 | |
scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"|High jump
|rowspan="2"|1.95 m |rowspan="2"|{{flagu|United States}} |2000 | |
Amy Acuff
|31 March 2012 |{{cite news|title=Richards-Ross and Duncan impress at Texas Relays|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=64500.html|publisher=IAAF|author=James Dunaway|date=1 April 2012|access-date=1 April 2012}} |
scope="row"|Pole vault
|4.91 m |{{flagu|United States}} |30 March 2019 |
scope="row"|Long jump
|7.14 m {{wind|+1.0}} |{{flagu|United States}} |26 March 2021 |
scope="row"|Triple jump
|14.48 m {{wind|+1.0}} |{{flagu|United States}} |30 March 2018 |
scope="row"|Shot put
|18.58 m |{{flagu|United States}} |2006 | |
scope="row"|Discus throw
|67.98 m |{{flagu|United States}} |29 March 2024 |
scope="row"|Hammer throw
|74.18 m |{{flagu|United States}} |28 March 2019 |
scope="row"|Javelin throw
|60.82 m |{{flagu|United States}} |27 March 2015 |
scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"|Heptathlon
|6412 pts |{{flagu|United States}} |23–24 March 2022 |
colspan="4"|{{Heptathlon Score|13.41 {{wind|+1.6}}|1.77 m|13.45 m|23.81 {{wind |
0.1}}|6.23 m {{wind|+0.9}}|40.98 m|2:04.61}}
| |
scope="row"|4 × 100 m relay
|42.00 |University of Texas: | |1 April 2023 |
scope="row"|4 × 200 m relay
|1:27.05 {{AthAbbr|WB}} |Team International: | |30 March 2024 |
scope="row"|4 × 400 m relay
|3:22.94 |University of Texas: | |25 March 2022 |
scope="row"|4 × 800 m relay
|8:20.69 |Louisiana State University: |{{flagu|United States}} |1 April 2023 |
scope="row"|4 × 1500 m relay
|18:11.51 |Arkansas: |{{flagu|United States}} |8 April 2011 | |
scope="row"|Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)
|3:36.10 |University of Texas: | |31 March 2023 |
scope="row"|Distance medley relay
|10:59.86 |Louisiana State University: |{{flagu|United States}} |31 March 2023 |
Results by year
class="wikitable" | ||||||||||
2020s | 2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1930s | 1920s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2029 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/3/30//2019_Texas_Relays_Full_Results.pdf 2019] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025131802.aspx?id=463 2009] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS99.pdf 1999] | 1989 | 1979 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS69.pdf 1969] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS59.pdf 1959] | 1949 | 1939 | 1929 |
2028 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2018/3/31/2018TexasRelaysResults.pdf 2018] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025132058.aspx?id=464 2008] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS98.pdf 1998] | 1988 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS78.pdf 1978] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS68.pdf 1968] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS58.pdf 1958] | 1948 | 1938 | 1928 |
2027 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2018/1/26/TR2017_Final_Results.pdf?id=10615 2017] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025132248.aspx?id=465 2007] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS97.pdf 1997] | 1987 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS77.pdf 1977] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS67.pdf 1967] | 1957 | 1947 | 1937 | 1927 |
2026 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2016/4/2/t_2016_texas_relays.pdf?id=4994 2016] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025132432.aspx?id=466 2006] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS96.pdf 1996] | 1986 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS76.pdf 1976] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS66.pdf 1966] | 1956 | 1946 | 1936 | 1926 |
2025 | [https://stats.texassports.com/custompages/sports/xc_tf/2014-2015/150328_Relays_complete_results.html 2015] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025132613.aspx?id=467 2005] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS95.pdf 1995] | 1985 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS75.pdf 1975] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS65.pdf 1965] | 1955 | 1945 | 1935 | 1925 |
2024 | [https://stats.texassports.com/custompages/sports/xc_tf/2013-2014/140329_Relays_complete_results.html 2014] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025132745.aspx?id=468 2004] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS94.pdf 1994] | 1984 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS74.pdf 1974] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS64.pdf 1964] | 1954 | 1944 | 1934 | |
2023 | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025135648.aspx?id=473 2013] | 2003 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS93.pdf 1993] | 1983 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS73.pdf 1973] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS63.pdf 1963] | 1953 | 1943 | 1933 | |
[https://s3.amazonaws.com/texassports_com/documents/2022/3/26/2022_texas_relays_final_results.pdf 2022] | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025131141.aspx?id=460 2012] | 2002 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS92.pdf 1992] | 1982 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS72.pdf 1972] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS62.pdf 1962] | 1952 | 1942 | 1932 | |
[https://s3.amazonaws.com/texassports_com/documents/2021/3/26/results_032621_tx_relays_2021.pdf 2021] | [https://stats.texassports.com/custompages/sports/tex-relays/2010-2011/texasrelayscompleteresults.html 2011] | 2001 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS91.pdf 1991] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS81.pdf 1981] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS71.pdf 1971] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS61.pdf 1961] | 1951 | 1941 | 1931 | |
2020 | [https://texassports.com/sports/2013/10/25/relays_1025131616.aspx?id=462 2010] | 2000 | 1990 | 1980 | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS70.pdf 1970] | [https://texassports.com/documents/2019/6/19/TEXASRELAYS60.pdf 1960] | 1950 | 1940 | 1930 |
References
;General
- [https://s3.amazonaws.com/texassports_com/documents/2013/10/25/texas-relays-alltime-records.pdf Texas Relays records] 30 March 2019 updated
;Specific
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.texassports.com/index.aspx?path=relays Texas Relays web site]
{{US track and field competitions}}
Category:Annual track and field meetings
Category:College track and field competitions in the United States
Category:High school track and field competitions in the United States