The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field event in the United States. The first relay meet held on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia was on April 21, 1895, but even back then the tents and atmosphere contributed to its reputation as a carnival rather than just a series of races. Since that time, the Penn Relays have served as a springboard for athletes who later went on to win Olympic medals. It is also a breeding ground for rising track and field stars, with more than 700 high school teams and 180 college teams participating. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary