PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Regional track and field events at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field have become more competitive in recent days.
According to Aaron Robison, meet director for the Penn Relays Summer Showcase, the event has been elevated to a World Athletics Challenger event on the World Athletics Continental Tour.
This means athletes aiming to gain points towards qualification for the Paris Olympics this summer will be able to earn additional World Athletics points at the event.
The catalyst for this change was James Corrigan, a 22-year-old sophomore steeplechase competitor at Brigham Young University in Utah.
“It's a 3,000-meter race, just under two miles,” Corrigan told Action News. “There are 35 barriers, one per lap is a water barrier.”
Men's steeplechase has been an Olympic event since 1920. Corrigan, who swam and ran as a child, said he started devoting himself to the sport last year.
“My times have improved pretty consistently, from 8:50 to 40 to 30 and now 20,” he said.
Last weekend, Corrigan finished third at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
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The feat should have qualified Corrigan for Paris, but he told Action News he has one more hurdle to overcome: He needs to run a faster time or earn more World Athletics points to solidify his spot on the team.
So when Corrigan and her coach heard about the Penn Relays Summer Showcase in Philadelphia, they decided to attend.
“Coach James Corrigan called me and asked if we could add the steeplechase to our showcase event on Saturday,” Robison said.
Robison noted that aside from Olympic qualifiers, the Philadelphia summer showcase is the only North American event on the world athletics calendar that takes place on a Saturday.
Robison said after just a few days of planning, officials had ensured that this weekend's regional athletics events would also serve as a showcase for World Athletics.
Athletes like Corrigan will have the chance to qualify for the Paris Games.
Robison said Corrigan is one of several riders racing at Franklin Field on Saturday hoping to earn points to go to Paris.
“It's a local event so anyone can come and run, but the fastest time in the event also counts towards World Championships and Olympic qualification,” Robison explained.
“I'm really, really excited,” Corrigan said.
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The young athlete said his family and friends are now heading to the City of Brotherly Love to cheer him on, but he's asking local residents for some extra support.
“Please help me get to the Olympics!” Corrigan said. “I'm a sophomore trying to get to the Olympics, so if you guys can help me out, that would be awesome.”
Corrigan is scheduled to compete Saturday at 8 p.m.
Robison said he encourages people to come out to Franklin Field, which can seat 60,000, this weekend to cheer on the players.
He also said the Summer Showcase was created as an inclusive event and is open to anyone who wants to run on Franklin Field's historic track.
Registration will be open until Thursday, June 27th at 11:59pm.
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