The 110th Penn Relays will reach its climax late Saturday afternoon when some of the best professional runners in the United States and from across the world take to the track.
The "USA versus the World" competition, which will be broadcasted nationally on NBC from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., will feature some names that should be familiar to fans who remember the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and Penn Relays races of the past.
Gold medalists in Sydney, Marion Jones and Jon Drummond, a Philadelphia native, headline a field full of athletes who hope to make their mark not only on the Penn Relays but on this year's Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
"It's an advanced look at the best in the country," Penn Relays Carnival Director Dave Johnson said. "And then you stack them up against other countries, particularly those from the Caribbean, and that adds a lot to the flavor of the relays."
In USA Track & Field Director of Communications Jill Geer's opinion, the biggest thing for the runners is the atmosphere inside Franklin Field, which justifies the event being called a "carnival," instead of just another race.
"These people are professionals, making in some cases six figures, but to put on a 'Team USA' jersey still has special meaning to them," she said. "When they come on the track and they get that burst of energy from the crowd, you can't get that anywhere else."
For Jones in particular, this could be a breakout event. She has not yet fully returned to her top form after taking time off to go on maternity leave. This will be the first time she suits up for the United States since the 2002 World Cup.
"It has been up and down for her performance-wise," Geer said. "It takes anyone some time to regain their form."
But Geer warned the competition that the time is right for Jones to make a statement.
"The Penn Relays has always been an excellent meet for Marion," she said. "I would say you can probably expect to see Marion do something a little bit special this year, especially using it more as a launching pad for the rest of her year."
Jon Drummond will probably not need much introduction to the thousands expected at Franklin Field this weekend, as he has been running in the Penn Relays since his high school days.
"Just to have someone who is a native Philadelphian come back over and over and over again, it's neat," Johnson said. "It's fun to know that there is that sort of loyalty."
Fans looking for someone new to break out this year and make a statement may want to keep a close eye on Justin Gatlin, also a Penn Relays veteran.
The former University of Tennessee standout left Knoxville after winning six NCAA titles by the end of his sophomore year. He was also the 2003 world indoor champion in the 60-meter race.
"A healthy Justin Gatlin is a gold medal contender in three events -- the 100m, 200m and 4x100m," Geer said.
Tyree Washington, the 2003 world indoor champion in the 400-meter race, will also be worth watching, as much for his off-the-track accomplishments as his feats on it.
Washington was raised only by his mother while his father was in prison, and had to testify against his sister in a capital murder case in 2002.
"He is a fabulous, fabulous human interest story," Geer said.
The national television coverage was worked out together by USA Track & Field, presenting sponsor Nike and the Penn Relays.
"USA Track & Field has generally gone out and worked out time arrangements for a variety of meets throughout the country," Johnson said. "They are putting the television package together, Nike is funding it and we're providing the venue."
