Athletes brave rain, power through 127th running of Penn Relays
The showcase, the oldest and largest track competition in the United States, was held Thursday through Saturday at Franklin Field.
The 2023 Penn Relays was the 127th running of the internationally renowned meet. The first Penn Relays was held on April 21, 1895.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
The Penn Relays brought sunshine to three cloudy and rainy days last week at Penn’s historic Franklin Field. The 127th running of the world-famous meet—officially known as the Penn Relay Carnival—was held Thursday through Saturday, and featured thousands of high school, collegiate, professional, and masters athletes.
Nearly 200 colleges and universities participated, trekking from all over the country as well as the Caribbean to compete in the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States.
A host of Penn track & field athletes set new school marks, including a new program record in the men’s 4x800. Fourth-year Antaures Jackson, first-year Alex Jackson, third-year Denis Gallagher, and second-year Titus Bretzke placed seventh in the Championship of America and broke the school record with a time of 7:22.71.
Readers take your mark and enjoy the sights from the 2023 Penn Relays.
Penn’s historic Franklin Field has hosted the Penn Relays since 1895. The first Penn Relays attracted approximately 5,000 spectators, the largest track and field crowd to that time in Philadelphia.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
President Liz Magill, right, enjoys the Penn Relays with her husband Leon Szeptycki, left, and Penn students.
(Image: Diego Zubieta-Soto/Penn Athletics)
John Ruvo IV, a first-year sprinter from Scottsdale, Arizona, competes in the Penn Relays. Ruvo, first-year Shane Garnder, third-year Dimitri Nicholson, and second-year Aaron Stillitano placed fifth in the College Men’s 4x100 on Saturday with a time of 41.28
(Image: Eric Sucar)
President Liz Magill (red hat) poses with Alsion Roach Wilson (yellow hat), the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York.
(Image: Leah Popowich)
Olivia Morganti, a third-year distance runner from Syracuse, New York, races at the Penn Relays. Morganti, third-year Trinity Eason, second-year Bronwyn Patterson, and third-year Maeve Stiles placed fifth in the College Women’s Distance Medley on Friday with a time of 11:29.66.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
Steve Dolan, the James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, and President Liz Magill at the Penn Relays.
(Image: Steve Ruark/Penn Athletics)
Aaron Stillitano, a second-year sprinter from Middletown, New Jersey, runs in the Penn Relays. Stillitano, first-year John Ruvo IV, second-year Holden Emery, and first-year Liam Going placed 10th in the College Men’s Sprint Medley Championship of America on Friday with a time of 3:34.98.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
The Penn Relay Carnival is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
(Left to right) First-year Devante Heywood, Assistant Coach Moose Akanno, first-year Andrew O’Donnell, four-year Robbie Ruppel, and fourth-year Emerson Douds. Heywood, O’Donnell, Ruppel, and Douds finished sixth in the men’s 4x400 Championship of America with a time of 3:08.62, the second-fastest time in program history.
(Image: Penn Athletics)
