Weather Forces Downtown Events to Douglas County Fairgrounds

April 15, 2013

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With inclement weather expected to hit the Lawrence area on Wednesday and Thursday (April 17-18), Kansas Relays officials have elected to move the Downtown Shot Put and Long Jump events indoors to the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Both events will still begin as scheduled, with the shot put beginning at 6 p.m., April 17 and the long jump taking place April 18, also at 6 p.m.

“After meeting with city officials and local meteorologists we have decided to change the venue of these two events,” said meet director Milan Donley. “We want to ensure the safety of the athletes and fans but also the success of the event and we believe indoors at the fairgrounds will be the best chance to do that given the likelihood of severe weather this week.”

Both events, which were originally scheduled to be held near the intersection of Eighth and Massachusetts Streets, will play host to some of the nation’s top male shot putters and female long jumpers. Two 2012 Olympic bronze medalists, three World Champions, four U.S. Champions and seven past Olympians are slated to take part in the events. Highlighting the fields will be both the defending champions in 2012 shot put champion Reese Hoffa and last year’s long jump champion, Janay DeLoach.

The shot put will still be televised on Metro Sports in the Lawrence and Kansas City areas and will also be broadcast on ESPN3.com.

The Douglas County Fairgrounds are located near the intersection of 19th and Harper Street (2110 Harper Street) in Lawrence. Admission is free to the public for both events. Fans in attendance will be able to enjoy prize giveaways, live music and an appearance by the KU Jayhawk mascot. Hoffa and Kansas basketball player Kevin Young will also go head-to-head in a Rubik’s Cube battle, which will take place following the shot put on April 17.

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