Numerous Fan Events Set for Friday and Saturday at Kansas Relays
LAWRENCE, Kan. – An autograph session with Kansas track & field legends, a Family Fun Zone and the “Lane 10 Tent” are just a few of the exciting events set to take place in conjunction with the Kansas Relays later this week. The 88th edition of the meet is taking place at the Jayhawks’ state-of-the-art track facility at Rock Chalk Park, April 15-18.
Lane 10 Tent (Friday-Saturday)
For the first time, fans will have an opportunity to enjoy their favorite food and beverages at the “Lane 10 Tent” to be located just north of the Rock Chalk Park track. The area will be open beginning at 8 a.m. Friday and remain open until the final event Saturday afternoon. Fans will have a wide variety of food and treat vendors to choose from including Salty Iguana and Cold Stone Creamery. In addition to the food on hand, the Lane 10 Tent will also feature adult beverages beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday.
Downtown Shot Put (Friday: 6 p.m.)
For the fifth-consecutive year, a collection of the world’s top shot putters will hit the streets of Lawrence to take part in the now-iconic Downtown Shot Put competition on Friday, April 17. The event is again set to be held at Eighth & New Hampshire Streets in downtown Lawrence and will begin at 6 p.m.
The Downtown Shot Put has become well-known for bringing together one of the strongest fields in the world. This year will be no different as five of the world’s top 10-ranked shot putters from last year are expected to attend, including each of the last three American-title winners.
Autograph Session with Billy Mills, Jim Ryun, Diamond Dixon and Joe Schrag (Saturday: 11 a.m.-Noon)
Kansas track & field legends Billy Mills, Jim Ryun and Diamond Dixon will be available for autographs on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Rock Chalk Park concourse. Mills is 51-years removed from claiming the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Ryun, a three-time Olympian, claimed five NCAA titles during his time as a Jayhawk and held six world records at various times in his highly-successful running career. Dixon claimed Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games as part of Team USA’s 4×400-meter relay team. She was a 14-time All-American and won 10 Big 12 individual titles during her four-year KU career from 2011-14.
Joe Schrag, author of “The Kansas Relays: Track and Field Tradition in the Heartland”, will also be on hand to sign autographs. The book will also be available for purchase at the KU Store located near the main concourse of Rock Chalk Park.
Family Fun Zone (Saturday: Noon)
An area the whole family can enjoy will open at noon, Saturday at the northwest end of Rock Chalk Park. The Family Fun Zone is an interactive area that includes inflatable games, photo opportunities, poster making stations, stickers, face tattoos and more. Kansas mascots Big Jay and Baby Jay will also make visits to the Fun Zone.
Scored Collegiate Quadrangular (Saturday: Noon)
For the first time in its 88-year history, the Kansas Relays will feature a collegiate quadrangular as four teams are set to take part in the scored competition beginning Saturday at noon. Kansas will go head-to-head with in-state rival Kansas State as well as Colorado State and Purdue during the competition that will span 40 men’s and women’s track & field events. Field events will kick off the contest at noon with the first track events slated for 1 p.m.
The 88th Kansas Relays is being held at Rock Chalk Park, April 15-18 and will feature high school and collegiate events, as well as a scored collegiate quadrangular on the afternoon of Saturday, April 18. For more information on the 2015 Kansas Relays, log on to KansasRelays.com.
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