Early History

The Morehouse Relays began in 1941, making it one of the oldest collegiate track and field meets in the nation. The event was inspired by the desire to promote athletic excellence and sportsmanship, particularly within historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It quickly became a cornerstone of the athletic program at Morehouse College, reflecting the institution's commitment to fostering athletic and academic excellence.

Purpose and Legacy

• Athletic Development: The relays serve as a venue for aspiring athletes to compete at a high level, often acting as a springboard for careers in professional track and field or other sports.
• Cultural Significance: The event underscores the rich tradition of HBCUs in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for African American athletes.
• Community Engagement: Over the decades, the Morehouse Relays has become a community event, attracting spectators, alumni, and supporters from across the nation.

Notable Moments

• Olympic Ties: Morehouse has a rich history of producing world-class athletes, some of whom have competed in the Olympics. The Relays have often featured rising stars who later achieved international fame.
• Civil Rights Era Impact: During the civil rights movement, the Relays took on additional significance as a symbol of empowerment and unity within the African American community.
• Prominent Alumni: Athletes who competed in the Morehouse Relays have gone on to excel in various professional fields, highlighting the enduring influence of the event.

Modern Day

In 2023, the Morehouse Relays returned after a nine-year hiatus as the 43^rd edition of the venerable track meet. 
 
Collegiate and middle school track and field programs throughout the region descended upon the newly renovated Edwin C Moses Track at B.T. Harvey Stadium for three days of competition. It is the first meet hosted by Morehouse since a multi-million-dollar renovation of the facility was completed in 2022.

Today, the Morehouse Relays continues to thrive, attracting competitors from a broad spectrum of institutions, including HBCUs, predominantly white institutions (PWIs), and local high schools. The event remains a hallmark of the spring track and field season, celebrated for its competitive spirit and its role in upholding the legacy of Morehouse College.

The Morehouse Relays have a rich history of showcasing exceptional athletic talent, with numerous athletes delivering standout performances over the years. Here are some notable results and athletes from recent editions of the event:

2023 Morehouse Relays

In 2023, Morehouse College secured a first-place finish, demonstrating dominance across multiple track and field events.

Men's 5,000 Meters:

• 1st Place: Brian Kemei – 15:11.33
• 2nd Place: Hillary Kipkogei – 15:25.22
• 3rd Place: Ronny Kiprono – 15:55.33

Men's 10,000 Meters:

• 1st Place: Brian Kemei – 32:18.30
• 2nd Place: Ronny Kiprono – 33:51.82
• 3rd Place: Hillary Kipkogei – 36:21.51

Men's 800 Meter:

• 1st Place: Gavin Weddington – 1:53.84

Men's 4x200 Meter Relay:

• 1st Place: Houston Cole, Solomon Finley, John Dinnall, Mehki Evans-Bay – 1:29.60

Men's Javelin:

• 1st Place: John Dinnall – 66.62m
• 2nd Place: Rodney Gross – 62.89m

2024 Morehouse Relays

The 2024 edition saw impressive performances from various institutions:

Clark Atlanta University:

• Women's 100m: Anniyah Williams secured 1st place with a time of 12.46 seconds.
  Women's 400m: Karon Warren finished in 2nd place, clocking in at 57.67 seconds.
• Heptathlon: Shynique McGee clinched 1st place, showcasing versatility across multiple events.

Fort Valley State University:

• 4k Distance Medley Relay: The team, including Jenna Jones and Montana Williams, achieved 1st place with a time of 15:56.21.
   

These results underscore the competitive spirit and high level of athleticism present at the Morehouse Relays, contributing to its esteemed reputation in collegiate track and field circles. 

2025 Morehouse Relays

The Morehouse Relays for 2025 will improve on strides made during its return as one of the premier track & field events in the Southeast.  Scheduled to occur from Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29, the track will be filled with action.  On day one, the first event will be the decathlon and heptathlon and will conclude the next day. The individual track and field events begin on day two with finals in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter all taking place. On day three, finals in the relays, as well as the 100-meter event, highlight the schedule.

Past Notable Collegiate and HBCU Athletes

The Morehouse Relays has hosted numerous athletes who went on to achieve national and international acclaim in track and field. While specific records of every participant are not always well-documented, the event has long been associated with top-tier athletes, particularly those emerging from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Here are some famous athletes who are known to have connections to the Morehouse Relays or to Morehouse College's rich track and field history:

Edwin Moses

• Achievements: Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1976, 1984) in the 400m hurdles and one of the greatest hurdlers in track and field history.
• Connection to Morehouse: Edwin Moses is a Morehouse alumnus who majored in physics and industrial engineering. While he didn't focus on athletics when he first arrived at Morehouse, the track program nurtured his talent, and events like the Morehouse Relays contributed to his development.

Ralph Metcalfe

• Achievements: Olympic medalist in the 1932 and 1936 games, including gold in the 4x100m relay (1936).
• Connection: Though his primary athletic career predated the Morehouse Relays' inception, Metcalfe inspired many HBCU athletes during the early years of the relays, helping build the event's reputation.

Robert "Bob" Hayes

• Achievements: Olympic gold medalist in the 100m (1964) and widely regarded as one of the fastest men in history. He also had a successful NFL career.
• Connection: Hayes' participation in similar collegiate events boosted the status of competitions like the Morehouse Relays in the 1960s.

Chris Belcher

• Achievements: Team USA sprinter who competed at the World Championships and achieved a sub-10-second time in the 100m.
• Connection: While not a Morehouse graduate, Belcher's participation in HBCU events like the Morehouse Relays highlighted the meet's competitive prestige.

Over the decades, the Morehouse Relays has featured numerous standout athletes from schools like:

• Morehouse College: As a host, Morehouse has consistently developed strong track and field athletes who later compete on national stages.
• Tuskegee University, Clark Atlanta, and Fort Valley State: These schools have regularly sent top performers to the relays.

Legacy Impact

The Morehouse Relays has often served as a proving ground for young athletes who later gain national attention. While records of specific participants are often localized, the meet remains an integral stepping stone in the development of many elite track and field athletes, particularly those connected to HBCUs.

Coverage

All three days of the meet will be live streamed on the Maroon Tiger Sports Network.  
DAY ONE
DAY TWO 
DAY THREE

Live results will also be made available for fans to follow along.

Tickets

Purchase your tickets for the Morehouse Relays online by clicking here.

Sponsors/Vendors

If you are interested in becoming a vendor or becoming a sponsor for the Morehouse Relays, contact Sports Marketing Manager, A.D. Drew at ako.drew@morehouse.edu or at 470-639-0450.