by RBR AdminOne of the biggest secrets in our sport is the level of support that Hy-Vee provides for the Drake Relays. The Drake Relays, since 2013, have been providing the sell out crowds a chance to see the finest athletes in the world! And that is thanks, to Hy-Vee. @runblogrun estimates the support at north of $500,000 a year, and that is just the money, not the other support of the fine historic meet.
Andre De Grasse, photo by PhotoRun.netSo, @runblogrun is asking its minions, readers, fans, and just plain track fans, to ANYTIME you are near a HY-Vee store, you make sure you support the chain. They have natural foods, wine tastings, and really contribute to their communities. We respect companies that support our sport (and in transparancy, HY-VEE has not provided support to @runblogrun. We would not turn it down, but this is a tip of the proverbial hat to this company that gets that athletics has a great crowd, great athletes and is a celebration of all this is diverse in our world.
Andre De Grasse, photo by PhotoRun.netOkay. Now, to Andre De Grasse. We like Andre, he has attitude, a sense of humor, and well, he’s Canadian. We like Canadians (we even liked Donovan Bailey, one of the funniest and fastest men in the world) most of the time. Andre will be racing in Des Moines for the Drake Relays, which should be pretty cool.
What do we like about Andre De Grasse? When fit, Mr. De Grasse runs smoothly. His top speed is impressive and his level of relaxation is impressive. De Grasse is terribly competitive, but, like the proud Canadian he is, De Grasse does not come off as a jerk. I like that. I have no problem with competitiveness, or pre race histrionics, as I loved Maurice Greene, but our sport needs role models, and, sorry to Charles Barkley (who I also like, but a digression), elite athletes ARE role models.
Andre De Grasse, photo by PhotoRun.netNice job Blake Bolden! Keep up the good work, and we love our press releases!
DES MOINES, Iowa – Andre De Grasse, a three-time Olympic medalist, is set to highlight the return of the invitational 100 meters to the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, announced Thursday, Feb. 15.
De Grasse’s Blue Oval debut marks the first time an invitational 100 meters has been staged at the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee since 2005.
In 2016, De Grasse won three medals at the Rio Olympics, including bronze in the 100 meters behind Usain Bolt. With Bolt’s retirement, De Grasse is thought by many in the track and field community to be the heir apparent to the title ‘World’s Fastest Man.’
“Andre is one of the biggest rising stars in international sports and it will be a thrill for our fans to see him compete against a world-class field,” Boldon said. “It’s the first time we’ve hosted an invitational 100 meters in 13 years and Andre will be the best short sprinter to come to the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee since Michael Johnson 20 years ago. The return of the invitational 100 meters will be an electrifying ten seconds.”
In addition to that bronze medal in the 100 meters, De Grasse won silver in the 200 meters behind Bolt and bronze in the 4×100-meter relay as a member of the Canadian team. He has run the 100 meters in 10 seconds or less in a legal wind nine times in his career, including a personal best of 9.91 and has run as fast as 9.69 with a tailwind.
Relays’ fans unfamiliar with De Grasse’s speed and athleticism can watch the star in action Friday evening as part of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. De Grasse is a member of ‘Team Clippers’ along with Jamie Foxx, Paul Pierce, Common, Bubba Watson and others.
“Andre’s participation in the NBA All-Star weekend goes to show that the Drake Relays presented Hy-Vee draws the biggest celebrities in sports,” Boldon added.
Boldon has scheduled De Grasse’s performance for the Saturday of Relays in front of a potential 53rd consecutive Saturday sellout at Drake Stadium. Starting Thursday, Feb. 15, fans can renew their single-session tickets for the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee. All-Session and All-American, Gold and Silver ticket packages are also available for purchase via DrakeTix.com or by calling 515-271-3647.
