Things to to do in Des Moines When You're Dead: Events

[bedsitter23]

This week is the Drake relays.

Unfortunately, I have not went, but I probably ought to put it on the local Bucket List.

I have heard generally good things, though this was from someone who got kicked out because he had a newborn, and apparently, the Drake guys were afraid of the kid's safety; which is kind of uncool.

The Drake Relays are one of the Top 10 big track and field events in the country.

Granted, that's not much of a big deal, though I think Olympic athletes are making a comeback. I grew up on Mark Spitz, Bruce Jenner, and Nadia Comaneci, through Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, and Mary Lou Retton. It seems like those stars of individual sports faded, but (okay thanks to Subway ads and Dancing with the Stars) these days, there are some household names once again.

The Drake Relays have seen Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Al Oerter, Jim Ryun, Michael Johnson, and many others through the years.

Still, the reason people love the relays is that it is a big community party.

There is was (it's cancelled) a parade. There's the Blue Mile- a combination of a competitive race and a charity walk which draws over three thousand competitors between the two.

There's the midnight Pancake breakfast.

I am likely leaving stuff out, but here's the three things you need to know.

The track (at Drake University) is a blue oval.




The Drake University mascot is a Bulldog, and each year (for the last 33 years) the most Beautiful Bulldog is crowned.




Then, if all of that isn't enough, the most talked about event (added in the last couple of years) is the Pole Vault competition.

Why the Pole Vault?

Because it's held in the local shopping mall.

Not only at the mall, but in the mall.