The 2016 Penn Relays was quite a meet this year. The stands were filled with thousands of fans from many track loving countries. Some of the standout performances include Drew Hunter of Loudon Valley, who won his third Penn Relays wheel in the DMR after running a 4:00 minute mile leg to make up a nine second gap made by LaSalle Academy, taking the title by 0.001 seconds.

Hunter won the 3000 meter in 2014, as well as the mile run in 2015, becoming the first high schooler to win three distance races at the Pennsylvania Relays.

Many schools from the Suburban One League National conference competed in the Penn Relays this year as well. For guys, Council Rock North and Abington High School qualified for the 4×800 meter and 4×400 meter relay.
For the ladies, Pennsbury’s Distance Medley Relay finished tenth overall in the Championship of America race.

Neshaminy high school made an appearance at the Penn Relays as well. For the guys, Neshaminy’s 4×400 meter relay, consisting of Luke St. Pierre, Jason Faccenda, Dan Fink, and Sean Conway, ran a final time of 3:32.20 in the suburban area race. On the ladies side, Neshaminy’s 4×400 meter relay, consisting of Madyson Boli, Saloni Hebron, Michaela Boyd, and Becca Lehman, ran a final time of 4:03.75. The girls lowered their relay time even more and qualified for the PIAA District One Championship meet in Coatesville in May.

However, the performance that really rocked Franklin Field was Ida Keeling, a sprinter who set the new world record in the 100 meters for 100 year olds and older. Keeling who has recently turned 101, came across the line in a time of one minute and 17 seconds. After the race, Keeling showed the crowd she had more energy after her performance with a few push-ups.

Ida Keeling was also the oldest competitor in her race and showed the world that time does not slow her down.
Keeling, who began her training with running a 5K at the age of 67, has been training for most of the second part of her life. She became an icon at the Penn Relays last year after setting the world record for 99 years and older in the 100 meter dash.

The Penn Relays is truly an amazing experience for those who love to run, and Keeling has left a long lasting legacy.