LAWRENCE (KSNT) – The 102nd edition of the historic Kansas Relays is less than one week away from showtime at Rock Chalk Park.
KU meet director Tim Byers, who’s in his third year organizing the event, joined K-Nation’s Caroline Soro ahead of the festivities. Born and raised in Lawrence, the Kansas Relays is an event Byers holds near and dear.
He says there’s a record-breaking 5,600 athletes who have already signed up to compete, including high school and collegiate talent.
“You’re looking at probably up to 400 high school different teams being represented out here, along with 100-plus collegiate teams,” Byers said. “Running together and competing on the same track, not against each other but at the same times, it’s pretty neat to see.”
Olympian and former Jayhawk Bryce Hoppel has been a Relays regular since 2017 as well. Though Hoppel won’t be able to make the event this time around, there’s plenty of renowned talent expected to roam the track at Rock Chalk Park.
Kansas great and Wichita native Jim Ryun will be in attendance, along with former Jayhawk, Olympian and Eudora head coach Scott Russell, and others.
“You never know, you may be cheering on the next Olympian,” Byers said. “Or the next national champion, or the next all-American. They could be your state champion, you could see that person at the Kansas Relays.”
The Kansas Relays start on Thursday, April 17 and run through Saturday, April 19.
The full interview with Byers aired in Sunday’s episode of K-Nation and can be watched above. K-Nation airs every Sunday night following 27 News at 10, only on KSNT.
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