Cloquet Relay Races Combine Fun and Competitiveness

Wes Vork-NSO

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May 5, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

We have all heard non-runners say, “I’ll start running when I see a runner with a smile on his face”. Well it is time to start running. Cloquet High School hosted the third annual Cloquet Relay Races on Friday, an event that produced lots of smiles and a good time for all.

The relay races, now in their third year were the brainchild of Cloquet Head Track Coach Tim Prosen. The idea was to create a different kind of track meet which would allow all of the athletes to have a fun time while still remaining competitive.

While there are some sprints and field events, the star of the show are the relays, some of which differ substantially from standard track & field protocol. Events include a hurdle shuttle relay where one athlete runs down and there partner runs back towards the starting line with hurdles positioned both directions.

Other events include a 4×100 where the participants have to be 10th grade and under; a steeplechase relay where participants navigate over hay bales placed on the 1600 meter course.

New this year is a pole vault relay where the entrants have to be vaulters and use a 10 foot vaulting pole for the baton. The race is 2×200 meters and must have one boy and one girl carry the pole on each leg.

There is also a 100-100-200-400 medley and a 200-200-400-800 distance medley along with a six person 800 meter relay without exchange zones which allows the coaches to select the distance for each runner. The ever popular 4×100 coaches relay finishes up the event.

Commemorative t-shirts are given out to the winning relay teams which appear to be the main driving force for the athletes each year. Northland Sports Online will post the results when they become available.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com