2009 Drake or Penn?

[RAP]

I have only been to the Penn Relays and have never been to the Drake Relays but am considering going this year. This is their 100th running. For those who have been to both, do you think this is the one year I can/should skip the Penn Relays? I don't want to be at Drake thinking, man, I should have gone to Penn. I want to be at Drake saying, man, I sure am glad I came!!
Not talking about weather or distance to travel. Just talking about the events/excitement/participants/hotels.
Are any of you who only go to Penn planning on going to Drake this year?

[tandfman]

Never have. Never will. Nothing can possibly beat Penn.

[dl]

If it's more about seeing a meet at Drake, than the Drake Relays themselves, remember that next year's USATF Champs will be in Des Moines.

[tandfman]

Good point. There's nothing wrong with Drake. The NCAA's were there last year, and they were very enjoyable.

[az2004]

ah, 15,000 jamaicans roaring at penn is atmosphere..

and 35,000 americans, most of them african-american roaring back at them is great...


DL makes an excellent point usatf champs being in des moines, although 2010 is a dry year...

i'd say do drake because there's only one 100th...

[KevinM]

If you go to Drake in order to compare it from a noise/carnival perspective with Penn, you'll clearly end up disappointed -- but that shouldn't be the goal.

Having been to 3 Drakes and 5 Penns, I can safely say I appreciate each for what it is -- a unique, singular experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. To me, it's not a matter of "which is better?", but rather "both are great".

[ndamix]

If you go to Drake in order to compare it from a noise/carnival perspective with Penn, you'll clearly end up disappointed -- but that shouldn't be the goal.

Having been to 3 Drakes and 5 Penns, I can safely say I appreciate each for what it is -- a unique, singular experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. To me, it's not a matter of "which is better?", but rather "both are great".

AGREED!!!!

[gh]

One thing to consider is that Drake (last day at least) is always a sellout, so if you're thinking of going there, I wouldn't wait too long to spring for the tickets.

[az2004]

franklin field upper deck, except in the end zone, you can't see the action on the track closest to you...

i always sit in the end zones, lower level for thursday and move to the upper deck for friday and saturday..

bring binos to follow the real action from there...

and if you're a field guy, there are field events, but it's all about the relays..

[runforlife]

usatf champs being in des moines, although 2010 is a dry year...i'd say do drake because there's only one 100th...

Let's hope it's dry as I heard last year during the NCAA's that downtown was flooded. I've been to almost 30 DR but never gone to Penn although they're about an equadistance drive.
I know Penn is much bigger but I always feel that there is only one place to be on the last weekend of April. Looking forward to the 100th.
I had good seats until they remodeled now I'm on the finish line, front row.
Is that great or what!!

[gh]

Yes, significant chunks of Des Moines (but not area near the track) were flooded during the NCs, but that was 6 weeks after Drake.

[Paul Henry]

If you go to Drake in order to compare it from a noise/carnival perspective with Penn, you'll clearly end up disappointed -- but that shouldn't be the goal.

Having been to 3 Drakes and 5 Penns, I can safely say I appreciate each for what it is -- a unique, singular experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. To me, it's not a matter of "which is better?", but rather "both are great".

Kind a sound like you're politely saying that Drake is boring with a capital B. Much like saying caviar is an acquired taste. LOL

[KevinM]

If you go to Drake in order to compare it from a noise/carnival perspective with Penn, you'll clearly end up disappointed -- but that shouldn't be the goal.

Having been to 3 Drakes and 5 Penns, I can safely say I appreciate each for what it is -- a unique, singular experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. To me, it's not a matter of "which is better?", but rather "both are great".

Kind a sound like you're politely saying that Drake is boring with a capital B. Much like saying caviar is an acquired taste. LOL

That's not the intended interpretation at all. Simply saying that the meets are great for different reasons.

[Paul Henry]

If you go to Drake in order to compare it from a noise/carnival perspective with Penn, you'll clearly end up disappointed -- but that shouldn't be the goal.

Having been to 3 Drakes and 5 Penns, I can safely say I appreciate each for what it is -- a unique, singular experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. To me, it's not a matter of "which is better?", but rather "both are great".

Kind a sound like you're politely saying that Drake is boring with a capital B. Much like saying caviar is an acquired taste. LOL

That's not the intended interpretation at all. Simply saying that the meets are great for different reasons.

I know, I was just pulling legs.

[gh]

I suspect a Drake fan would enjoy Penn more than a Penn fan would enjoy Drake (or any other meet on the planet---Penn's not a track meet). (and that's not an insult)