Speaker Series

February 26 - Des Moines, IA

The series visits the home of the Drake Relays Feb. 26 at Confluence Brewing Company in Des Moines. Starting at 6 p.m., Jay and Boldon will be joined by a pair of Drake University standouts in Rick Wanamaker and Brogan Austin. 

Wanamaker dueled the legendary Dick Fosbury in the high jump at the 1969 Drake Relays and the following year was the 1970 NCAA Champion in the decathlon and eventual 1971 Pan-American Games gold medalist in the event.

Austin, a Relays champion himself, is the reigning USATF marathon champion and as an up-and-coming professional talent is positioning himself to be one of the favorites at the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials in the marathon. 

Drake Relays director, Blake Boldon, will also be speaking on expectations for the 2019 Relays and the 2019 USATF Championships coming to the Blue Oval in July.

Whether you’re a track and field fan, or not, this event is FREE to the public and open to all ages. Please come to visit as we share the stories and love for these great sports!

February 28 - Iowa City, IA

Join us for an inspiring night at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom as Mike Jay, founder of Track Guy and Lead Announcer of the Drake Relays, will lead a conversation and meet and greet with Phil Coppess from 6-8:00pm.

Phil Coppess is an Iowa and US road racing legend. A common ordinary factory worker in Iowa who never gave up on his dream, Coppess is an inspiration. Squeezing training runs in between factory shifts, while being a single parent of three children, Coppess never made excuses.

In 1985, during this prime, he was one of the top 20 American marathoners ever. Track and Field News named him the US Marathoner of the year in 1985, as well. He was also selected American Road Runner of the Year by Road Runners Club of America. Meet Phil Coppess and hear all about his life and achievements as a talented road racer!

Whether you’re a road racing fan, or not, this event is FREE to the public and open to all ages. Please come to visit as we share the stories and love for this great sport.