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

[edit]

In response to cold-weather conditions at the Kansas Relays,[1] 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.[2] The Relays were held at Memorial Stadium until Mike A. Myers Stadium was opened in 1999.[3] The meet was not held 1932–1934 as a result of the Great Depression.[3] Women's events were added in 1963.[3]

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.[1]

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.[1]

The Texas Relays are currently the second largest track meet in the United States, behind only the Penn Relays.[4] Today, approximately 50,000 spectators and 5,000 athletes attend the events.[1][5]

## Local impact

[edit]

According to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2007, the Relays generate US$8 million for local business.[6] 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.[7][8] In 2009 Highland Mall closed several hours earlier than normal on account of the Texas Relays.[9]

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.[10][11][12][13]

## Divisions

[edit]

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.[14]

## Events held

[edit]

Event  | Invitational Men  | Invitational Women  | University Men  | College Men  | University / College Women  | High School Boys  | High School Girls

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

100 m | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
1500 m |  |  | ✓ | ✓ |  |
1600 m |  |  |  |  |  | ✓ | ✓
Mile | ✓ |  |  |  |  |  |
3200 m |  |  |  |  |  | ✓ | ✓
5000 m |  |  | ✓ |  | ✓ |  |
10,000 m | ✓ | ✓ |  |  |  |  |
100 m hurdles |  | ✓ |  |  | ✓ |  | ✓
110 m hurdles | ✓ |  | ✓ | ✓ |  | ✓ |
400 m hurdles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |  |
2000 m steeplechase |  |  |  |  |  | ✓ | ✓
3000 m steeplechase |  |  | ✓ | ✓ |  |
High jump |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Pole vault |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Long jump |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Triple jump |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Shot put |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Discus throw |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Hammer throw |  |  | ✓ | ✓ |  |
Javelin throw |  |  | ✓ | ✓ |  |
Heptathlon |  |  |  |  | ✓ |  |
Decathlon |  |  | ✓ |  |  |
4 × 100 m relay | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
4 × 200 m relay |  |  |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
4 × 400 m relay | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
4 × 800 m relay |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
4 × 1500 m relay |  |  | ✓ |  |  |  |
1600m sprint medley |  |  | ✓ | ✓ |  | ✓ | ✓
Distance medley |  |  |  |  | ✓ | ✓ | ✓

Source.[15] Note: Some men's events are combined for the university and College divisions.

## Meet records

[edit]

### Men

[edit]

Men's meeting records of the Texas Relays  Event  | Record  | Athlete  | Nationality  | Date  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

100 m | 9.90 (+2.0 m/s) | Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku |  Ghana  | 25 March 2022  | [16]
200 m | 19.81 (+0.8 m/s) | Terrance Laird |  United States  | 27 March 2021  | [17]
400 m | 44.62  | Bryce Deadmon |  United States  | 27 March 2021  | [17]
800 m | 1:45.31  | Oussama El Bouchayby |  Morocco  | 30 March 2023  | [18]
1500 m | 3:41.15  | Paul Larkins |  Great Britain  | 1984  |
Mile | 3:56.98  | Leonel Manzano |  United States  | 2008  |
5000 m | 13:38.28  | Ernest Cheruiyot |  Kenya  | 28 March 2024  | [19]
10,000 m | 28:05.36  | Michael Musyoki |  United States  | 1984  |
110 m hurdles | 13.13  | Larry Wade |  United States  | 2004  |
400 m hurdles | 48.44  | Michael Stigler |  United States  | 27 March 2015  | [20]
3000 m steeplechase | 8:27.70  | Henry Marsh |  United States  | 1977  |
High jump | 2.33 m  | Mark Boswell |  Canada  | 2000  |
JuVaughn Harrison |  United States  | 1 April 2023  | [18]
Pole vault | 5.92 m  | Renaud Lavillenie |  France  | 31 March 2018  | [21]
Shawnacy Barber |  Canada  | 31 March 2018  | [21]
Armand Duplantis |  Sweden  | 31 March 2018  | [21]
Long jump | 8.23 m  | Richard Duncan |  Canada  | 1997  |
Triple jump | 17.09 m (+2.0 m/s) | O'Brien Wasome |  Jamaica  | 30 March 2024  | [22]
Shot put | 21.54 m  | Adrian Piperi |  United States  | 26 March 2022  | [23]
Discus throw | 69.13 m  | Ralford Mullings |  Jamaica  | 29 March 2025  | [24]
Hammer throw | 76.29 m  | Denzel Comenentia |  Netherlands  | 29 March 2018  | [25]
Javelin throw | 89.10 m  | Patrik Bodén |  Sweden  | 24 March 1990  |
Decathlon | 8708 pts  | Leo Neugebauer |  Germany  | 27–28 March 2024  | [26]
| 100m  | Long jump  | Shot put  | High jump  | 400m  | 110m H  | Discus  | Pole vault  | Javelin  | 1500m

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

10.74 (+0.9 m/s) | 7.81 m (+0.5 m/s) | 17.26 m  | 2.05 m  | 47.99  | 14.51 (+1.0 m/s) | 51.50 m  | 5.10 m  | 58.99 m  | 4:51.05
4 × 100 m relay | 37.88  | HSI |  United States  | 2001  |
4 × 200 m relay | 1:19.88  | Austin All Stars  |  United States  | 1999  |
4 × 400 m relay | 2:59.73  | Tiger Olympians:
Quincy Downing
Michael Cherry
Vernon Norwood
Tyler Terry |  United States  | 26 March 2022  | [27]
4 × 800 m relay | 7:15.66  | South Plains College:
Aron Tanui
Trayquan Francis
Chevonne Hall
Kimar Farquharson |  United States  | 1 April 2023  | [28]
4 × 1500 m relay | 15:08.67  | Arkansas  |  United States  | 1999  |
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)  | 3:12.13  | Arkansas  |  United States  | 2000  |
Distance medley relay | 9:29.40  | UTEP  |  United States  | 1979  |

### Women

[edit]

Women's meeting records of the Texas Relays  Event  | Record  | Athlete  | Nationality  | Date  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

100 m | 10.93  | Dawn Sowell |  United States  | 1989  |
200 m | 22.08 (+1.2 m/s) | Gabrielle Thomas |  United States  | 30 March 2024  | [29]
400 m | 50.19  | Shamier Little |  United States  | 27 March 2021  | [17]
800 m | 2:00.25  | Shafiqua Maloney |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  | 28 March 2024  | [30]
1500 m | 4:13.53  | Dana Mecke |  United States  | 31 March 2018  | [31]
3000 m | 9:13.90  | Teena Colebrook |  Great Britain  | 1991  |
5000 m | 15:25.27  | Elizabeth Leachman |  United States  | 28 March 2024  | [32]
10,000 m | 31:28.92  | Francie Larrieu-Smith |  United States  | 1991  |
100 m hurdles | 12.36 (+2.0 m/s) | Masai Russell |  United States  | 1 April 2023  | [18]
400 m hurdles | 54.37  | Britton Wilson |  United States  | 25 March 2022  | [27]
3000 m steeplechase | 10:10.93  | Trina Cox |  United States  | 2006  |
High jump | 1.95 m  | Erin Aldrich |  United States  | 2000  |
Amy Acuff | 31 March 2012  | [33]
Pole vault | 4.91 m  | Jenn Suhr |  United States  | 30 March 2019  | [34]
Long jump | 7.14 m (+1.0 m/s) | Tara Davis |  United States  | 26 March 2021  | [35]
Triple jump | 14.48 m (+1.0 m/s) | Tori Franklin |  United States  | 30 March 2018  | [36]
Shot put | 18.58 m  | Laura Gerraughty |  United States  | 2006  |
Discus throw | 67.98 m  | Valarie Allman |  United States  | 29 March 2024  | [37]
Hammer throw | 74.18 m  | Brooke Anderson |  United States  | 28 March 2019  | [38]
Javelin throw | 60.82 m  | Kara Winger |  United States  | 27 March 2015  | [39]
Heptathlon | 6412 pts  | Anna Hall |  United States  | 23–24 March 2022  | [23]
| 100m H  | High jump  | Shot put  | 200m  | Long jump  | Javelin  | 800m

|
|
|
|
|
|

13.41 (+1.6 m/s) | 1.77 m  | 13.45 m  | 23.81 (−0.1 m/s) | 6.23 m (+0.9 m/s) | 40.98 m  | 2:04.61
4 × 100 m relay | 41.74  | Team USA Red:
Tamari Davis
Gabrielle Thomas
Jenna Prandini
Anavia Battle |  United States  | 29 March 2025  | [40]
4 × 200 m relay | 1:27.05 WB | Team International:
Dina Asher-Smith
Rhasidat Adeleke
Lanae-Tava Thomas
Julien Alfred |
Great Britain
Ireland
Jamaica
Saint Lucia  | 30 March 2024  | [41]
4 × 400 m relay | 3:22.94  | University of Texas:
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Stacey-Ann Williams
Davicia Patterson |
Ireland
United States
United States
United States  | 25 March 2022  | [27]
4 × 800 m relay | 8:20.69  | Louisiana State University:
Lorena Rangel Batres
Callie Hardy
Cindy Bourdier
Michaela Rose |  United States  | 1 April 2023  | [42]
4 × 1500 m relay | 18:11.51  | Arkansas:
Paige Johnston
Jillian Rosen
Miranda Walker
Kristen Gillespie |  United States  | 8 April 2011  |
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)  | 3:36.10  | University of Texas:
Julien Alfred
Rhasidat Adeleke
Kennedy Simon
Valery Tobias |
Saint Lucia
Ireland
United States
United States  | 31 March 2023  | [43]
Distance medley relay | 10:59.86  | Louisiana State University:
Cindy Bourdier
Garriel White
Michaela Rose
Lorena Rangel Batres |  United States  | 31 March 2023  | [44]

## Results by year

[edit]

2020s | 2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1930s | 1920s

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2029 | 2019 | 2009 | 1999 | 1989 | 1979 | 1969 | 1959 | 1949 | 1939 | 1929
2028 | 2018 | 2008 | 1998 | 1988 | 1978 | 1968 | 1958 | 1948 | 1938 | 1928
2027 | 2017 | 2007 | 1997 | 1987 | 1977 | 1967 | 1957 | 1947 | 1937 | 1927
2026 | 2016 | 2006 | 1996 | 1986 | 1976 | 1966 | 1956 | 1946 | 1936 | 1926
2025 | 2015 | 2005 | 1995 | 1985 | 1975 | 1965 | 1955 | 1945 | 1935 | 1925
2024 | 2014 | 2004 | 1994 | 1984 | 1974 | 1964 | 1954 | 1944 | 1934
2023 | 2013 | 2003 | 1993 | 1983 | 1973 | 1963 | 1953 | 1943 | 1933
2022 | 2012 | 2002 | 1992 | 1982 | 1972 | 1962 | 1952 | 1942 | 1932
2021 | 2011 | 2001 | 1991 | 1981 | 1971 | 1961 | 1951 | 1941 | 1931
2020 | 2010 | 2000 | 1990 | 1980 | 1970 | 1960 | 1950 | 1940 | 1930

## References

[edit]

General

* Texas Relays records April 2024 updated

Specific

1. ^ a b c d Holton, Avery (2001-04-05). "Texas Relays: History in the making". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2006-09-04.
2. ^ "History of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
3. ^ a b c McMicken, Glen (2005-03-31). "Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays: A to Z". Texassports.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
4. ^ Treon, Ricky (2006-04-07). "Five reasons to watch Texas' premiere track event". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
5. ^ Rentfro, Daryl (2006-04-05). "Texas Relays 2006 Preview". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
6. ^ Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (2007-03-27). "March Madness Means Millions for Austin". Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19.
7. ^ "Austin businesses to close weekend of Texas Relays". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
8. ^ "Austin clubs, mall plan to close during Relays". Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
9. ^ "Activists, residents protest outside Highland Mall". Archived from the original on 2009-04-15.
10. ^ Austin welcomes Texas Relays visitors, officials say 30 March 2010.
11. ^ Boarded-Up Bars During Texas Relays Raise Eyebrows 21 April 2011.
12. ^ “Welcome” to the Police State of 6ixth 9 April 2011.
13. ^ Austin, TX: Afraid of a lot of black people? 2009\. ClutchFans.
14. ^ "2005 Entries Information". TexasSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03.
15. ^ "2006 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays schedule". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
16. ^ Kofi Asare (27 March 2022). "Benjamin Azamati Sets New National 100m Record". kofiasare.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
17. ^ a b c Doug Binder (28 March 2021). "LSU's Terrance Laird Leaves Field in the Dust With 19.81 200 Meters at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
18. ^ a b c "Russell breaks collegiate 100m hurdles record at Texas Relays". World Athletics. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
19. ^ "5000m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
20. ^ "400m Hurdles Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
21. ^ a b c Jon Mulkeen (31 March 2018). "Lavillenie, Barber and Duplantis vault 5.92m at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
22. ^ "Men's Triple Jump Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
23. ^ a b Jon Mulkeen (26 March 2022). "Thomas, Harrison and Barnes fly to speedy wind-assisted times at Texas Relays". World Athletics. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
24. ^ "Texas Relays 2025 Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 28 March 2025. p. 238. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
25. ^ "Distance Events highlight Day Two of 2018 Texas Relays". texassports.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
26. ^ "Neugebauer Shatters Texas Relays Decathlon Record with 8,708 Points". watchathletics.com. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
27. ^ a b c "2022 Texas Relays Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
28. ^ "Men's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
29. ^ "Women's 200m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
30. ^ "800m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
31. ^ "Texas Relays 2018 Results". tfrrs.org. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
32. ^ "5000m Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
33. ^ James Dunaway (1 April 2012). "Richards-Ross and Duncan impress at Texas Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
34. ^ "Pole Vault Result". tfrrs.org. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
35. ^ Tyler Mayforth (26 March 2021). "COLLEGIATE RECORD: Tara Davis Sets Outdoor LJ Standard". USTFCCCA. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
36. ^ Adam Kopet (31 March 2018). "Tori Franklin Jumps to Second on All-Time American Triple Jump List at Texas Relays". dyestat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
37. ^ "Discus Throw Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
38. ^ "Austin -TX- (United States), 27-30.3.2019 -Texas Relays-". trackinsun.blogspot.com. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
39. ^ "Javelin Throw Results". flotrack.org. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
40. ^ "Texas Relays 2025 Results" (PDF). texassports.com. 28 March 2025. p. 109. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
41. ^ "Women's 4×200m Relay Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
42. ^ "Women's 4×800m Relay Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
43. ^ Rick Cantu; Danny Davis (1 April 2023). "Texas Relays notebook: Longhorns set meet record in 400-meter relay". statesman.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
44. ^ "Women's DMR Results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Texas Relays web site

* v
* t
* e

Track and field competitions in the United States

Outdoor|

* USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
* Olympic trials
* NCAA Championships
* Men–D1
* Men–D2
* Men–D3
* Women–D1
* Women–D2
* Women–D3
* NAIA Championships
* Men
* Women
* Drake Relays
* Kansas Relays
* Modesto Relays
* Mt. SAC Relays
* Penn Relays
* Texas Relays
* Prefontaine Classic
* USATF New York Grand Prix
* Adidas Games
* Adidas Track Classic
* USATF Distance Classic

Indoor|

* USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
* NCAA Indoor Championships
* Men
* Women
* NAIA Championships
* Men
* Women
* New Balance Nationals Indoor
* Millrose Games
* Los Angeles Invitational
* U.S. Open Track and Field
* New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
* Tyson Invitational
* New Balance Games

Age categories|

* USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
* USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
* USATF Junior Olympics
* New Balance Nationals Outdoor
* Arcadia Invitational
* CIF California State Meet
* Golden West Invitational
* Minnesota True Team State Track and Field
* Pasco Invitational
* Brooks PR Invitational

* See also: USA Track & Field

*[Ref.]: Reference
*[WB]: World best
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