START LISTS

Get ready for the 102nd running of the historic Drake Relays, as Des Moines will play host to more than 7,000 athletes over the course of the next several days. 128 collegiate teams on both the men's and the women's sides will compete in this year's relays. Furthermore, there is terrific professional talent at this year's relays.

"Never have I been more excited about a Drake Relays event than this year," said Brian Brown, director of the Drake Relays. "We have an outstanding field of individuals in all of the events we're going to offer."

Some of the big names include Jeremy Wariner, Jenny Barringer Simpson, Alan Webb and Boaz Lalang!



Competition starts today, both with the multi-events and the pole vault. The pole vault actually takes place off the track, adding an interesting twist. The "Pole Vault in the Mall" features a talent rich field, as 4 of the top 8 Americans on both the men's and women's sides will compete. 5 teams, each comprised of 1 male and one female, will vie for the team title as well, as best combined finishing place will take the title. Derek Miles (#4 in the world), Mark Hollis (US #2) and Jeremy Scott (US #3) lead the men's competition. US #4 Becky Holliday and #5 Melinda Owen headline on the women's side. Stay tuned for results and photos!

Technically speaking, competition actually started yesterday evening, as over 2,500 runners took to the streets of Des Moines for the Grand Blue Mile. The race, in its second year, drew many elite athletes. None more so than Americans Alan Webb and Sara Hall, who ended up winning on both sides. Read the recap and view results here.



1500 meters - Webb, Barringer Simpson and Samoei

Webb is slated to also headline the men's mile on Saturday, along with last year's winner, Boaz Lalang. Lalang ran 3:56 at last year's relays to take first, edging out American Bernard Lagat. Lalang would go on to run 1:42.95 over 800 meters later in the summer, finishing second in the same race that David Rudisha set the World Record. Lalang also competed in the road mile yesterday, finishing 4th.

The women's elite 1500 will be led by former Kansas State great, Amy Mortimer (2nd at yesterday's Grand Blue Mile), and Iowa-native and US elite distance runner Jenny Barringer Simpson. Simpson, coming off a strong 5k at Mt. Sac (finishing 2nd to AR holder, Molly Huddle), will dip down and sharpen at the shorter 1500 distance. Simpson won the mile at this year's indoor championships in Albuquerque. Former Tennessee standout, Sarah Bowman will also compete Saturday in the 1500.

Collegiately, Alabama's Fred Samoei will compete over 1500 meters. The 2011 NCAA Indoor champion over 800 meters, Samoei recently ran 1:45 at Mt. Sac! Competition could come from Iowa State stippler, Hillary Bor, also in the field.



400 meters - Wariner!

Olympic gold medalist, reigning #1 ranked 400 meter runner in the world, and the owner of the third fastest 400 ever run, Jeremy Wariner, is back!

"Jeremy finished the season last year ranked No. 1 in the world," Brown said. "I'm always excited when he comes to Drake University to compete in any event, but particularly when he's going to run his specialty, the 400 meters."

Wariner is also pumped.

"I'm excited to come back this year to Drake," Wariner said. "Last year I was not able to come because I was injured, but the crowd has always been great there and supported me with everything I've done. I'm just looking forward to coming back this year."



100 hurdles - Hometown Lolo Back

Hometown favorite and elite hurdler Lolo Jones returns this year in the 100 meter hurdles. Last year, Jones finished second (12.68) at the relays to Damu Cherry (12.65), as both women improved upon Jones' existing 12.74 meet record. The 2008 Olympic Trials and last year's U.S. champion will look to regain her Drake Relays title Saturday.

Watch the 2011 Drake Relays here on godrakebulldogs.com, with coverage starting Friday! We will have exclusive archived races and interviews here on Flotrack, on the 2011 Drake Relays coverage page.