IAAF World Relay Championships

[athleticshushmail]

I was happy to hear about this new meet the IAAF will begin holding annually in 2014. The first host is the Bahamas. There will be a 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, and 4x1500. Do you think it is a good idea?
http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/iaaf-coun ... -competi-1

edit: As tandfman mentioned, there is also the 4x800. My mistake, I forgot to type it. Thanks for the correction!

I wonder if all the countries will send their top athletes. I really hope they do, it's in May.

Man, Flumpy, that's great that you're going, Happy 40th in advance!

Thanks for all the comments, I'm definitely going to try a shot put relay with some buddies. Unfortunately, we're more of the 98 pound weakling type. This may not go over so well...

Jazzcyclist, I completely agree, a sprint medley is a great thing to fantasize about. The US would be strong as well and the Bahamas wouldn't be bad either except in the 800.

[KDFINE]

Its a start. The sprint medley, distance medley, 4 x 800, and shuttle hurdles would also be nice though.

[Conor Dary]

How about a shot put relay? We use to do that in high school. It would be a hoot.

[ATK]

surprised the Distance Medley is not included.

And I agree with Conor, field event relays should be added.

[gh]

I'm Mr. Field & Track, but they're trying to put together a property here that will put butts in seats and make for good television. Sorry, but field-event relays (in one of which I got my long jump PR!) are a non-starter.

[Marlow]

Its a start. The sprint medley, distance medley, 4 x 800, and shuttle hurdles would also be nice though.

Not sure about the SHR, but those other three definitely need to be there. The SHR . . .
a. be USA-dominated
b. Since it's not a stick hand-off . . . problematic. Most SHRs I see are rife with early flyers on the latter legs.

[Flumpy]

This is a fantastic idea mostly because it gives me an excuse to go to the Bahamas on my year long 40th birthday celebration!!!

[KDFINE]

I suggested the shuttle hurdles "knowing" that it would probably never fly as it isn't universal enough. Maybe if it were a HC event with the USA having higher hurdles....

[Conor Dary]

I'm Mr. Field & Track, but they're trying to put together a property here that will put butts in seats and make for good television. Sorry, but field-event relays (in one of which I got my long jump PR!) are a non-starter.

No, no, no....I mean a real shot put relay. Using a shot as a baton. It was a fairly common non scoring event 40 years ago in the west suburbs of Chicago. It was a hoot. The weight guys running a lap, no matter what the length of the track was.

[Marlow]

It was a hoot. The weight guys running a lap,

Yes, can we please make an absurd mockery of our Relay Championships?
But not the weight guys - make those 98-pound weakling distance runners carry the shot.
Much funnier . . .

[Master Po]

This event is one I'm really looking forward to. And as other have noted, would like to see 4x800, sprint medley, and distance medley as part of the program.

[tandfman]

This event is one I'm really looking forward to. And as other have noted, would like to see 4x800, sprint medley, and distance medley as part of the program.

The 4x800 is part of the program.

[Master Po]

This event is one I'm really looking forward to. And as other have noted, would like to see 4x800, sprint medley, and distance medley as part of the program.

The 4x800 is part of the program.

My wishes are finally coming true! I knew if I waited long enough (and became clueless enough), this would happen!

(ps. Just based my notion of the event list from what was mentioned in the thread's opening post -- didn't read into the iaaf article.)

[pauluk63]

im looking forward to this but why did the IAAF have to be so safe? A hurdles relay would be fantastic! As would a medley relay and distance relay...

[jazzcyclist]

A sprint medley relay between the Jamaican and Kenyan men would be interesting.

[tandfman]

im looking forward to this but why did the IAAF have to be so safe? A hurdles relay would be fantastic! As would a medley relay and distance relay...

The hurdles relay, and the sprint and distance medley relays are standard features of the major US relays meets (Texas, Penn, Drake), but they are virtually unheard of elsewhere in the world.

The concept of a World Relays meet is quite innovative by itself. I can understand why they would want to start out with those relays that have been recognized as World Record events. If the World Relays succeeds (as we all hope it does), I'm sure the IAAF will at least consider further innovations through events like the medleys.

[KevinM]

Most high-level collegiate DMRs end up with the first three legs being largely irrelevant. I imagine it would be even more pronounced in an international race.

The SHR is the worst race in track and field.

I'm glad neither were included in the program.

[Halfmiler2]

I assumed there would be no shuttle hurdle relays although it is a fun event to watch. I am disappointed there are no medleys -if not the standard American DMR and SMR, then some of the other variations.

[JumboElliott]

A sprint medley relay between the Jamaican and Kenyan men would be interesting.

Kenya would win by 5+ seconds.

[t_monk]

A sprint medley relay between the Jamaican and Kenyan men would be interesting.

Kenya would win by 5+ seconds.

Yup.... Going away at that....

[ATK]

So anything on scheduling, number a teams each country can have, which races will have rounds?

Would be interesting if each country gets 2 or 3 teams. Would basically mean no subs for the rounds.

[jazzcyclist]

A sprint medley relay between the Jamaican and Kenyan men would be interesting.

Kenya would win by 5+ seconds.

That presumes that Jamaica's best 800 runner is only capable of 1:50 according to my math. Are they really that week in the 800?

[ATK]

A sprint medley relay between the Jamaican and Kenyan men would be interesting.

Kenya would win by 5+ seconds.

That presumes that Jamaica's best 800 runner is only capable of 1:50 according to my math. Are they really that week in the 800?

Winner at their 2012 trials ran 1:48.0

[JumboElliott]

I seriously doubt that the best from each of the top countries will be competing though.

[ZELLGADISS]

I want to see wonderful WR 4X200 with Bolt,Blake and Weir,Ashmeade or Young.
It could be AMAZING

[JumboElliott]

I'm more interested to see the 4x800, because that world record seems exceptionally weak. 1:45.5 per leg, essentially.