Penn Relays | Penn Today

Steve Dolan, wearing a blue suit, red tie, and yellow hat, poses on the track at Franklin Field.

The return of the Penn Relays, directed by Steve Dolan

Dolan, the Frank Dolson Director of the Penn Relays, discusses the resumption of the world-famous meet after a two-year break, notable athletes who will be competing, new programming and features, and what makes the Relays so special.

Inaugural Penn Relays 5K fills gap left by pandemic delay

In addition to the 5K, Penn Relays also held running events in the spring and summer. While the three-day track and field event is still months away, the organization says they’re trying to make the Penn Relays a year-round event

Wearing a beige Penn hat and a blue Penn track and field shirt, Steve Dolan looks to the left.

Steve Dolan named new director of the Penn Relays

Currently the James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Penn, Dolan succeeds Dave Johnson, who announced his retirement as director in September 2020.

Celebrating a love of learning, teaching, and the Penn Relays

Gloria and Jim Ruffins are fans of the Penn Relays. After every event, they began hosting a party at their house. What started as eight people and pizza has grown to 68 people and a gourmet buffet. They will know life is normal again when the Relays return.

An abbreviated Penn Relays returns for one day as the Philadelphia Metropolitan Collegiate Invitational

A field of 18 local teams, including all the Big 5 schools, will compete on April 23 at Franklin Field, with the event hosted by the Penn Relays.

College athletes race around Franklin Field during relay race at the Penn Relays in pre-pandemic times.

Penn Relays to host Philadelphia Metropolitan Collegiate Invitational

The local-only, collegiate-only, invitation-only track competition will be held on April 24 at Franklin Field.

Penn Relays to host an April 24 track and field meet featuring 15 to 20 local schools

The Philadelphia Metropolitan Intercollegiate meet will take place at Franklin Field on what was to be the final day of the 126th carnival, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Penn Relays director Dave Johnson says that the Philadelphia “Mets,” a revival of the collegiate meet that ran annually from 1963 through 1987, mostly at Franklin Field, will feature all the Big 5 universities plus Delaware and Rider, along with Division II and Division III schools and junior colleges.

On the track around Franklin Field, a Penn Relays banner rests on the bottom of a hurdle bar.

Penn Athletics cancels traditional Penn Relays

If health conditions in the city continue to improve, the Relays plan to sponsor three separate track meets in coming months.

Wearing a Penn scarf, Athletic Director M. Grace Calhoun stands a conference room in front of a long table with chairs.

AD Calhoun talks college sports (or lack thereof) during the pandemic

The director of athletics and recreation discusses COVID-19’s impact on college sports, her work with the NCAA, changing eligibility and compensation guidelines, and why the college basketball season may end with May Madness instead of March Madness.

You Relays got a hold on me

Letting go of this weekend’s Penn Relays, canceled by COVID-19 for the first time in their 125-year history, will sting harshly. By carrying on through past wars and national emergencies, the annual track and field extravaganza has enthralled millions, legitimized the sport in the U.S. and advanced racial integration.

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