As with any carnival, this year’s stacked lineup of events at the Penn Relay Carnival is sure to be filled with fireworks.
Every year, the Penn Relays showcase some of the best track and field talent across all levels — from elementary to high school to collegiate athletes and even international competitors. The highly anticipated event offers a unique platform for rising stars, seasoned veterans, and Olympians alike to shine in the City of Brotherly Love.
With so much action happening on the track, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. But which events should you be keeping an eye on?
High School Boys 4x400m Championship of America
Start time: Friday, April 25, 3:50 p.m.
What could be more electrifying than a rematch of the best high school track athletes around the world?
In what is shaping up to be one of Penn Relays’ premier events, the High School Boys’ 4x400-meter relay championship final is set to be a rematch between Maryland’s Bullis High School and Jamaica’s Kingston College. The event has long been one of the most thrilling and crowd-energizing races at the Penn Relays, drawing some of the loudest and most passionate cheers from the stands.
In 2024, the standout school from the Caribbean bested Bullis in the event, winning with a time of 3:11.86. What was even more impressive was that the win came against 2024 Paris Olympics breakout star and gold medalist Quincy Wilson, who split the fastest 400 meters in high school history in the semifinal. With a time of 44.37 seconds, Wilson helped carry his team from sixth to first to win the heat.
In the final, however, a botched exchange handoff proved to be the Achilles heel for Bullis, and they settled for third despite an impressive 44.69-second split from Wilson.
That race marked Kingston College’s third consecutive victory in the event, and the 17th-straight win for Jamaican teams in the 4x400m. This year, Bullis will have a chance to seek revenge and reignite their rivalry with Kingston College, hoping to end Jamaica’s dominant streak — with more drama surely in store.
Olympic Development Women’s 800m Championship of America
Start time: Saturday, April 26, 3:50 p.m.
A 2020 Penn graduate is back and competing in her signature event. Nia Akins, a 2024 Paris Olympian, ran the 1,500m race at last year’s Penn Relays, where she placed fifth — but she didn’t compete in the 800m, the event in which she truly shines. Her specialty was on full display in Paris, where she represented Team USA on the Olympic stage.
Now, with a Quaker homecoming on the horizon, fans will be watching closely to see if Akins can reclaim the spotlight and make a run for the podium. She’s sure to be a hometown favorite — and one of the top contenders in the field.
College Women’s 4x400m Championship of America
Start time: Saturday, April 26, 2:40 p.m.
As one of the Penn Relays’ most highly anticipated events, 2025 is shaping up to deliver yet another thrilling showcase of speed, strategy, and elite teamwork in the women’s 4x400m relay.
In 2024, the legendary Arkansas Razorbacks dominated the field with a world-leading time of 3:26.40 — a performance that not only shattered the meet record but also set a new collegiate standard. Several members of that team went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics later that summer, cementing their status as stars. With that kind of legacy, the hype surrounding this year’s race is more than justified.
Men’s and Women’s High Jump
Start time: Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.
While much of the spotlight is on the action happening on the track, it’s important not to overlook the excitement unfolding in the field events. One name to watch is Penn junior Kampton Kam, who recently shattered a 30-year-old Singaporean national record in the high jump. His leap of 2.25 meters at the 2025 South Florida Invitational surpassed the previous mark by 0.03 meters — a significant achievement and a testament to his rise in the sport.
Kam returns to Franklin Field with momentum and a chance to etch his name into Penn Relays history. He’ll be joined by elite high jumpers like Vashti Cunningham and Vernon Turner, making this year’s high jump field one of the most competitive and exciting in recent memory.
A United-States-vs.-the-world vibe
A recurring theme at the Penn Relays — and one that will be especially noticeable this year — is the international flavor of the competition. It is always exciting to see top athletes from around the globe converge on Franklin Field. From national teams to powerhouse schools overseas, the meet takes on a true United-States-vs.-the-world feel.
These head-to-head matchups often deliver showdowns and earth-shattering performances. With big names and electric finishes expected, one thing’s for sure: You’ll want to be watching when the baton drops.
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