The 127th running of the Penn Relays 2023 is over. This legendary Relay Carnival was held April 27-29, giving opportunity to people who like to race, from ages 10 to 100.
Yes, I said 100 years old. There have been men and women 100 years old competing in the 100m Dash for Seniors. Where else but at the Penn Relays can this be featured? The oldest competitor in 2023 Penn Relays was Ed Cox of Syracuse who ran in the 100m Dash at age 96; can you believe it? What a wonderful opportunity for him!
On Penn Relays Thursday young people get to race. Schoolboys and schoolgirls get to compete in various dashes and relays. Great fun which also sows a seed for our Future Champions, our Future Olympians.
Thursday evening is known as Distance Night where there are many races, from hurdles, 1500m, steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m. These events go well into the evening to near 10pm. This year at Penn Relays there were hundreds of events.
Coach and Officials are honored every year for their greatness in coaching, and some, for their years of dedication to the Penn Relays.
Sometimes the weather is just perfect; other times, this year for example, there’s cool rain. On Penn Relays Friday, there was so much rain. It does not deter the runners at Penn. They endure and compete to the fullest.
So many amazing races this year, bringing out the very best in the athletes, with new records being set.
I hope you get the chance to witness the Penn Relays for yourself; one of the greatest track meets ever.
Karrie Baloga of Cornwall HS NY on her way to the win in the HS Girls 3000m in 9:20.75.
Rocky Hansen of Christ School of NC anchors the winning HS Boys Championship of America Distance Medley Relay. The winning time was 9:58.15; Rocky ran his anchor leg 1600m in 4:05.65.
Brian DiCola of Hatboro-Horsham (PA) HS wins the HS Boys Mile in 4:11.23. Justin Pretre of Menlo School of CA finished second in 4:12.98.
DiCola breaks the tape
In the most exciting race of the day, Ryan Beegle of Chatham HS of NJ ran down Ainsley Campbell of Jamaica’s Kingston College to win the HS Boys 4×800 Championship of America in 7:47.66. Beegle split 1:52.47 to Campbell’s 1:55.39, to bring his team home from far behind.
Rory Lieberman of Danville HS (PA) leads the field in the HS Boys 3000m. He went on to win in 8:34.16.
Angelina Napoleon of Allegheny-Limestone HS (NY) on her way to the win in the High School Girls Mile. She won in 4:49.36, with Logan St.
Saratoga HS (NY) celebrates its victory in the High School Girls Championship of America Distance Medley Relay
Wisconsin team celebrates its victory in the Men’s Championship of America Distance Medley Relay.
Wisconsin’s Adam Spencer outruns Villanova’s Liam Murphy to lead Wisconsin to victory in the Men’s Championship of America Distance Medley Relay. Wisconsin won in 9:33.82.
Wisconsin’s Abdullahi Hassan, Villlanova’s Sean Dolan, and Virginia’s Gary Martin battle during the 800m leg of the Men’s Championship of America Distance Medley Relay. Wisconsin won in 9:33.82.
Melissa Tanaka of Stanford leading the first leg of the Women’s Championship of America Distance Medley Relay. She ran the opening 1200m leg in 3:19.93. Stanford won in 10:50.56.
Runner's Gazette 
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