DES MOINES — Even 100 years since its inception, the Drake Relays is showing no signs of aging.

The Drake Relays began as a small event with only a handful of athletes competing, but has become a cornerstone in the American track and field landscape.

This year, more than 7,300 amateur and professional athletes from across the country gathered in Des Moines for the centennial anniversary of the Relays.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Drake Relays, but to actually come here and experience the crowd was absolutely amazing,” said Tiffany Williams, who won the invitational 400-meter hurdles.

Thousands of spectators flocked to Drake Stadium, with an announced 14,504 fans in attendance — the 44th consecutive sellout in Relays history.

The event has even reached a level that garnered Presidential attention.

“I send my warmest greetings to all who are attending and competing in the 100th Annual Drake Relays,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. “This hallmark event has become an American tradition of track and field’s spring season. I anticipate impressive feats, edge-of-your-seat finishes, and a steadfast admiration for the accomplishment of these finely conditioned competitors.”

Ponchos became the clothing of choice as fans and athletes alike, who braved the onslaught of 45-degree, rainy weather that blanketed the Des Moines area Saturday.

But, despite the less-than-desirable conditions, the action on the blue oval track met much of the hype surrounding the event.

With media coverage elevated due to the 100th anniversary festivities, event organizers answered by putting together one of the strongest lineup of competitors in the event’s history.

Apart from the vast amount of high school and college athletes that participated, a number of national and world ranked athletes competed in several invitational events.

“I have been here a lot of years and this is by far the best Relays in terms of talent,” said 2008 Olympic silver medalist Christian Cantwell, who finished second in the shot put.

Many past Relay favorites made their return to Drake Stadium.

After a year absence, former Drake Relay champions Alan Webb and Jeremy Wariner made their return a notable one.

In 2007, Webb set an event record in the mile run with a time of 5:51.

He was slightly hindered by the wet and cold conditions Saturday, but was able to hold back the pack in the final leg, going on to win the event for a second time.

Wariner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, skipped the Relays last season to attend the Penn Relays — the largest and longest-running track meet in the U.S., which is normally held the same weekend as the events at Drake.

“Last year I ran at the Penn Relays and I kind of missed Drake,” Wariner said. “I wanted to come back and run for the fans. The fans here always supportive of every athlete no matter who they are.”

Fans responded with deafening sound of applause as Wariner cruised to 45.06-second victory in the 400-meter dash, recording the second fastest time in the world this year.

Former Roosevelt High track star and four-time defending Relay champion in the 100-meter hurdles, Lolo Jones, had much more bittersweet ending to her 2009 Drake Relays appearance.

Although she had been suffering from an inflammation in her hamstring for more than a week, Jones was determined not to let her hometown fans down.

“If this would have been any other race I would have pulled out,” Jones said. “But due to the fact this is my hometown, I grew up a couple of blocks away from Drake Stadium, I just felt it was too important for me to pull out.”

Her leg gave out halfway through the race, however, as she stood straight up, grimacing in pain as she crashed into last few hurdles.

“It felt like a tennis ball that moved down my hamstring and then I felt a pop,” Jones said.

Jones had to be carted off the track, but said after the race that the injury appeared to only be a slight tear and she hopes to be ready for the World Championships later this summer.

For some athletes making their debuts at the Relays, the result was met in triumph.

The US’s fourth-ranked shot putter Liz Wanless produced the United States’ highest mark this season, tossing a meet record 60 feet-1 inch in her first ever appearance on the infield of Drake Stadium.

2008 Jamaican Olympian Isa Phillips joined Wanless in taking home a title in the 400-meter hurdles on his first try.

Phillips, who was convinced to come to Drake by training partner Lolo Jones, was taken aback by public response to the Relays the minute he pulled up to the track’s entrance gates.

“I was surprised to see a line coming into the track meet,” Phillips said. “I only see that at football games over here. [Track] is much more popular and accepted here compared to a lot of other cites in the U.S.”

With the Drake Relays now a part of the Visa Championship Series (a circuit of the top track and field events in the country) and along with primary sponsorship of the athletic shoe company Asics, that popularity is sure to continue to prosper.

Maybe even for another 100 years.