Weather Won't Stop Elite-Meet, Officials Say

"The meet is a go!"

That was Hamline Elite-Meet director Lynden Reder's response this morning to the question on the minds of athletes, coaches, and spectators for the tonight's Elite-Meet, where 40 degree temperatures, wind, and rain-turning-to-snow is predicted.

"We really wish, along with everyone coming to the meet, that the weather were going to be better, but what else could we expect with how this spring has been around the state," Reder added.

It doesn't appear event organizers ever seriously consider postponing or cancelling the event.

"With our college schedule, and the meet schedule for high schools in mind, this is really the best night to host the meet," Reder said. "We continue to cross our fingers that the weather blows through, but if not, it will be a true test of our best Minnesota track athletes!"

Reder does expect the pole vault and high jump events to be moved indoors due to the weather.

"Other than that," he said, "things will mainly stay the same. Our schedule is pretty close, but we will roll ahead if things are pretty nasty. Again, we are hopeful but prepared."

Reder, the Hamline men's coach, invoked Steve Prefontaine to describe a proper philosophy for the challenging conditions:

"Prefontaine said, 'We run to see who has the most guts' right? He didn't say, 'We run to get a tan.'"

"These races will be every bit as fun to see - although its fair to say that the times and distances might not be what we could expect on a perfect night," Reder added. "There are great events up and down the line, so it will be good to see who handles the elements and rises to the top."

Action begins at Hamline Klas Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

If you won't be braving the weather yourself, join Down the Backstretch on tonight beginning at 5:15 p.m. for our live coverage of the Hamline Elite-Meet. We'll feature live-text coverage of the events and same-night video of action on the track.