Penn Relays 2025
Warm weather the prior day took a back seat to rain on the final day of Penn Relays competition on April 26. (Photographs by Justin Sorensen for A Mile. A Minute.)
Penn Relays

Depth of Field in a Constant Downpour

May 7, 2025
The final day of events at the 129th Penn Relays on April 26 was marked by driving rain, but the remainder of the schedule defied the forecast.

In the second part of his series from Franklin Field, Justin Sorensen trained his lens on the obvious action on the track but also how the crowd, race officials — and even other photographers — navigated wet conditions en route to getting to the line, next race and documenting the most captivating shots.
Penn Relays 2025
Conditions shifted considerably on the last day of races, with the bulk of competition taking place on a wet track under a curtain of showers.
Penn Relays 2025
Leaving it all on the track and infield would be a recurring theme during all three days as a crowded slate of races launched in clockwork of formation.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Camaraderie was a looming presence on all three days of competition, with teammates, rivals and upstarts all staking their piece of temporary prestige on the track.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The flow of leaving the blocks in tandem clashed with scattered drops that were heightened as the wind picked up.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
A leap over the bar, looking skyward, was a mandatory ritual that included facing the clouds and rain head-on.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The unpaid actor of all three days — the baton — lives on as one of the main symbols of Penn, and knows it will be back even as the the lineups of most of the schools will change next year.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The wet track did little to hamper the explosiveness that immediately followed every pass of the stick.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
And the stares of conquest where just part of the spoils of a crossing the line with the caliber of times that are customary in high level racing.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Whether it be a win, second place, third or eighth — the mission was always to start together and finish strong.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
A shallow pool served as a marker at the end of the pit; a sort of beacon to attempt to reach with every jump.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The Jamaican contingent made its usual powered presence at Penn, a tradition that carried over to this year.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Smiles in the homestretch signaled a solid baton exchange and also the kind of finish that helps fuel the confidence of a collegiate program.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Bragging rights were up for grabs on the track and enhance by loyal cheering sections undeterred by the rain.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The finish and the aftermath almost seemed as courageous as heading into battle — land by lane — against fellow teams intent on conquest.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Race after race were staged by any means in spite of the rain as the athletes showed durability — and patience — in any condition.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The line up of dozens of athletes waiting their turn for a prep relay seemed to churn out an endless installment of racers set to try their best to execute clean exchanges.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
In the process of a downpour and a stream or races in succession, a simple moment of lacing spikes served as an opportunity to shrink away from the action.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
The crowed braved the showers in order to feel on top of the action and lock in on each hurdle as the finish line drew closer.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Providence College women’s 4 x 1,500m squad shook off the rain and won their race in 16:59.65, the third-fastest time in collegiate history.
Penn Relays: Depth of Field in a Downpour
Eventually, the track seemed to barely contain the conditions as rain pooled at various spots along — and inside — the oval.

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