The 2014 Minnesota Section 7AA boys 4×400 relay … it is always the final event of the final high school track meet of the season, unless you happen to be one of those top runners or relay teams that qualifies for the State Meet.  From the start of the throwing events to the last 4×400 relay, this year’s Section meet held at the end of May turned into an almost 10-hour event, as lightning and rain storms repeatedly moved through and required delay after delay.  The events have to be run in order to send runners to the State Meet, and the final deadline for completing Section races in order to qualify for State was mere hours away.

As the sky turned black with storm clouds, and the rain started once again, the runners were rushed onto the track for the final heat of this final relay race of the day.  The gun went off, signaling the start of the race, hours after the originally scheduled start time.  The skies opened up as the boys ran their two laps each around the 400m track, handing off the slippery wet baton to the next runner, until all four runners on each team completed their circuit.  By the time the final runners crossed the finish line, you couldn’t even see 100 meters down the track.  Spectators and runners alike were soaked to the skin.  Competing in any race is an achievement, but the conditions under which these high school runners ran at this meet deserves special recognition.

Ciao! ~ Kat

This post was in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge.  ”Achievement” was this week’s theme.  Everyone is welcome to join in the Challenge; further details on how to participate and links to others’ responses are found here.