Family Guide to Drake Relays Week

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Drake RelaysI bleed blue. Anyone who has met me knows I am a loyal Drake Bulldog. I am a two-time alumna at Drake University, and I work at Drake in the Office of University Communications and Marketing.

The Smith family at the 2018 Beautiful Bulldog Contest.

The Drake Relays has been part of my family for generations. My grandpa Carl Jobst ran in the 1934 Drake Relays for the Earlham Cardinals the same year Jesse Owens ran.

I ran track and cross country in high school but never had the pleasure of competing on the Blue Oval.

I have experienced the Drake Relays in so many layers as a fan, a student, an alumna, and as staff. There is something for people of all ages to enjoy during Drake Relays Week!

Family Fun at Drake Relays 

The 110th Drake Relays kick off April 20. Here’s the inside scoop for where your family can find fun during the best week of the year. 

Road Races

Drake Relays Weeks starts on Saturday, April 20 with the Drake Road Races. There’s still time to register by stopping by the 2nd Annual Relays Health and Fitness Expo on Friday. All abilities are welcome and every runner gets to finish on the iconic Blue Oval. If you’re not up for a run this weekend, you can cheer on the runners taking on the 5K, 10K and half marathon. If you live on the route, your family can make signs and cheer on the racers. 

2018 Beautiful Bulldog, Bow-Z. Photo courtesy of Drake University.

Beautiful Bulldog Contest

This is my favorite day of the year. Yes, I am biased as I’m the Director of the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. We are celebrating a milestone year of the unique event. The 40th annual contest has really evolved from the little event in Nollen Plaza. We have built the contest into what Buzzfeed called “the Coachella of Bulldog festivals.”

On Monday, April 22 you will find something for everyone at this contest, especially families. There will be a bouncy house, face painting, a coloring contest, and many characters including Paw Patrol, superheroes, and princesses! Oh, and yes you can drool over 40 BEAUTIFUL dogs as they walk their pageant runway.

Grand Blue Mile

Race downtown Tuesday, April 23 for the 10th annual running of the Grand Blue Mile. This is your family’s chance to walk, jog, or run a mile and then enjoy free face painting, inflatables, a DJ, and more, while the nation’s best mile runners race for a national championship in downtown Des Moines.  

Pole Vault at Capital Square. Photo courtesy of Drake University.

Pole Vault at Capital Square

Watch as Olympic athletes fly high over your heads in an infectiously fun environment on Wednesday, April 24. You can get up close to the pole vault pit, or watch from up high at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines.

Drake Relays

Yes, there are races. This is what Drake Relays is all about! Friday, April 26 through Saturday, April 27 your family can watch Olympic athletes compete – and possibly even break a record – on the Blue Oval. You can get your tickets here for the 110th running of the Drake Relays. For the first time in more than a generation, general admission tickets are now available and going fast as the Drake Relays heads toward its 54th consecutive sellout.

New since last year, Drake Relays has closed off part of Forest Avenue for the safety of the fans and athletes, and to encourage a festival atmosphere. 

Meet Olympic athletes, drool over Beautiful Bulldogs, brush off your running shoes, and reconnect with old friends. The Drake Relays is a Des Moines bucket list item you can check off more than once because every year is different. If you see me around, most likely crouched in front of a laptop somewhere bringing you some social media content, say hi!

*Drake Stadium photo courtesy of Drake University

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