The 97th Drake Relays will feature several firsts later this month. It will be the first event held in renovated Drake Stadium and the expanded setting will allow fans to watch all the throwing and running events at the same time.

Brian Brown, who is in his first year as Drake Relays Director, says you couldn’t visit the field events before without leaving the stadium. Brown says now you’ll be able to determine what’s happening, and makes it a complete venue for track and field.

Brown says one of last chores to finish the renovation is painting the lines on the track. He says they lost three rows of seating and expanded the size of the lanes from 42 to 48 inches. Brown says the only thing they won’t be able to host now is the Olympic Games.

Also a first this year is a Friday night session which Brown feels will add a new element to the event. Brown says they wanted to create an outstanding event, not just a track meet. He says that’ll include a parade of athletes and other activities Friday night he thinks everyone will enjoy. The Drake Relays are April 27th through the 29th.