DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, Grand Blue Mile officials from Wellmark and the Drake Relays posted the schedule of events for April 23-24, 2012.
Also, announced was the elite field of runners for the invitational championships. About 15 competitive runners will join more than 3,500 participants for the 3rd Annual Grand Blue Mile race on Tuesday, April 24.
2010 Men’s Invitational Champion Boaz Lalang of Kenya and 2011 Women’s Invitational Champion Sarah Hall of the United States will both return to headline an impressive field of elite athletes. 2010 Women’s Invitational Champion Amy Mortimer, Gabriele Anderson, and Duane Solomon, all from the United States, and Peter van der Westhuizen from South Africa, are scheduled to run in the 2012 Grand Blue Mile.
Monday, April 23, 2012
11:00 a.m.- Packet pick up- All Race Participants
6:00 p.m. Pappajohn Education Center
1200 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
Note: Packets may also be picked up from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on race day,
April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Road Closures
Downtown Des Moines businesses will continue to be open and accessible throughout the
Grand Blue Mile events. Please note the following closure times to help plan your routes on event day.
9:00 a.m. Grand Avenue from 10th - 14th Streets
12th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street
13th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street
3:00 p.m. Locust Street from 13th to 15th Streets
6:00 p.m. Grand Avenue from 6th to 10th Streets
Locust Street from 6th to 13th Streets
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
4:00- Packet pick-up - All Race Participants
6:00 p.m. Athlete Services Tent
1300 Grand Avenue
6:00 p.m. Iowa Kidstrong Fun Run
9th and Grand Avenue
Note: Non-competitive ¼-mile fun run for Iowa Kidstrong program
participants; the Isiserettes Drum and Drill Team will perform prior to the
Kidstrong Fun Run.
6:15 p.m. Recreational Division
13th and Locust Street
Note: Open to all ages and abilities, including runners, joggers and
walkers. Sara Miller, a central Iowa woman who ran in the recreational
division last year and who has lost 120 pounds, also will be available to
peak with reporters. Sara’s blog can be found at www.weightylife.com.
6:45 p.m. Women Competitive Division
13th and Locust Street
Note: Open to all competitive runners and recommended for sub-8-minute
milers.
7:00 p.m. Men Competitive Division
13th and Locust Street
Note: Open to all competitive runners and recommended for sub-8-minute
milers.
7:15 p.m. Women-Invitational Championship
13th and Locust Street
Note: Features world-class track and field athletes by invitation only.
7:30 p.m. Men-Invitational Championship
13th and Locust Street
Note: Features world-class track and field athletes by invitation only.
7:40 p.m. Post Race Media Availability
Elite and Competitive Divisions
Note: Former NFL football player and runner Tim Dwight is scheduled
to run and plans to be available for post-race interviews
7:45 p.m. Grand Blue Mile Awards Ceremony
Post-Race Area at Pappajohn Park
13th and Grand Avenue
Note: Awards will be given to top finishers in all divisions
5:30- Post-Race Party
8:00 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment for participants and spectators
Post-Race Area at Pappajohn Park
13th and Grand Avenue
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