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Lead Stories: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

TFS Podcast 136: Drake Relays Teleconference w/ Olympic Gold Medalist Allen Johnson

Posted April 17th, 2008 at 2:30 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Today on Episode 136 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I participated in the USATF-hosted, Drake Relays Media Teleconference which featured 110m hurdler Allen Johnson. In his distinguished career, Johnson has won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games, 4 golds and 1 bronze in the World Outdoor championships and 3 gold and two silvers in the Indoor world championships, including his 2nd place finish this year in Valencia, Spain.

I joined Mike Mahon, the media coordinator for the Drake Relays, Peter Gambaccini from Runner’s World and reporters from the Associated Press, Oakland Tribune and Reuters in the teleconference. We asked Allen questions that covered a wide range of topics, including his career, doping, promotion of track and field, the athletes’ ability to speak out at the Olympics, how much longer he plans to compete, and much, much more.

TO DOWNLOAD: Right click here and select “Save As”

Host: USATF | Guest: Allen Johnson
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 23.6 MB | Length: 00:34:24

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In Between Eugene Will be Des Moines

Posted December 13th, 2007 at 9:54 AM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Eugene, Ore., will host the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008, and the U.S. Outdoor Championships in 2009 and 2011. In between, USATF announced today, the national championship meet will move to Des Moines, Iowa, home of Drake University and the Drake Relays.

“For several years, we have wanted to bring one of our premiere events to Drake Stadium,” USATF CEO Masback said in a prepared statement. “The Drake Relays is truly a community event with phenomenal fan support, and that community spirit shone through in Des Moines’ bid. We look forward to building a very strong partnership with local organizers for what will be an outstanding 2010 USA Outdoor Championships.”

Drake Stadium will get a $15 million renovation for the championships. “We envisioned that the facility would make Drake and Des Moines the Midwest capital of track and field,” Drake President David Maxwell said. “This event is a huge plus not only for Drake but also Des Moines and Iowa as a whole.”

(c) 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Webb breaks Drake Relays men’s mile record

Posted April 28th, 2007 at 6:13 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Alan Webb broke one of America’s older track records today at the 98th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

The 24 year-old from Reston, Va., destroyed the field in the men’s mile, clocking 3:51.71, an early world leader. Webb’s time easily eclipsed Steve Scott’s Drake Relays and Drake Stadium record of 3:55.26 set back in 1979 when Scott ran for the old Sub Four Track Club.

Blake Boldon was a distant second in 4:03.15.
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