2008 Drake Relays Preview

Nearly 8,000 athletes from almost every state in the union are expected to compete at this years prestigious Drake Relays. Including some of the top ranked professional athletes.

Lolo Jones is coming home to run while having the break out season of her career that she hopes ends with an Olympic team bid.

The LSU alum now hopes to build on the success of her indoor performances at her outdoor season debut at her hometown Drake Relays during Saturday, April 26 session of the 99th annual Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

Alan Webb will return to Drake Relays. The American middle distance runner shattered the Drake Relays record in the invitational mile last year and will return to defend his title. “This will be my first mile race on the track since last year,” said Webb during a Thursday teleconference. “Hopefully, it will be the beginning of great season.”

Drake Relays director, Brian Brown, has disclosed that 1996 Olympic gold medalist Allen Johnson, the greatest hurdler in World Championship history, will be competing in the men's invitational 110 hurdles.

April Steiner, who has vaulted a 2008 world best 15 feet 2.25 inches, heads the list of athletes scheduled to compete in the women's pole vault.

The women’s pole vault field also includes 2004 Olympian Jillian Schwartz; Andree' Pickens, who was ranked No. 10 in the U.S. last year; and former NCAA champion Kate Conwell.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.