2024 Bryan Clay Invitational

Bryan Clay Invitational 2024: 3 Major Storylines To Watch At Azusa Pacific

Bryan Clay Invitational 2024: 3 Major Storylines To Watch At Azusa Pacific

NCAA stars Parker Valby and Habtom Samuel are chasing outdoor records, while Benard Keter leads a contingent in the chase for the Paris Olympic Standard.

Apr 10, 2024
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Every year, the Bryan Clay Invitational pits some of the best distance runners in the world against one another as they chase varying standards and records.

The 2024 edition is no different, with stars at the collegiate and professional level getting ready to run fast in Azusa, California. 

Here are three of the top headlines to check out ahead of the Bryan Clay Invitational.

Parker Valby Puts Lisa Koll's 10k Mark On Record Watch

Since Parker Valby won her first national title at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships, she's been nothing short of phenomenal. She's claimed four national titles and broken the 5,000m collegiate record twice.

However, this weekend the Gator superstar is heading into uncharted territory as she is set to take on her first-ever 10,000m. Tomorrow at 9:30 PM (PST), Valby is making her 10K debut at the Bryan Clay Invitational at Azusa Pacific University in California. With her track record over the last year, it's hard to not think that Lisa Koll's (Iowa State) record of 31:18.07 from 2010 is in jeopardy. 

Another notable collegian to keep an eye on is Jenna Hutchins of BYU, who is making her 10,000m debut in the midst of her first full season in Provo.

Benard Keter Leads Fast Field In A Chase For Paris Standard


There is quite the steeplechase field assembling in Azusa this weekend, as a few of the top American athletes are eyeing the Paris Olympic Standard of 8:15.00.

2020 Olympic finalist Benard Keter enters the race as the top seed in his 2024 outdoor debut and has a chip on his shoulder after just missing the final in Budapest last August.

Keter has made the last three American teams in the event, notching a personal best of 8:17.19 along the way. However, if he wants to have the best chance of donning the red, white and blue for the fourth-consecutive championship, he'll need to shave a little over two seconds off to aid his chances.

Alongside him, fellow Americans Jackson Mestler (8:24) and Craig Nowak (8:27) are in the mix, with the first box to check off of the list being the U.S. Olympic Trials standard of 9:41, which both should have no problem hitting. 

Christian Noble, who recently made his return to the 3,000m steeplechase, will also be one to watch, as the American made his season debut a few weeks ago in Raleigh, North Carolina, clocking a time of 8:27.75.

Both John Gay (Canada) and Victor Kibiego (Kenya) will be dictating the race as well, as they too chase the Olympic Standard.

Habtom Samuel Eyes NCAA Outdoor 5k Record


Since May of 2022, no collegian has run under 13:10 on the outdoor track, but New Mexcio's Habtom Samuel may very well be the next man to do so. 

Just a few weeks ago, Samuel had the race of his life, running 26:53.84 at The TEN in San Juan Capistrano, California. 

Samuel finished just behind Nico Young as the pair became the first collegians to ever run under 27:00. 

The 21-year-old from Eritrea clocked 13:14.85 on the indoor oval in December, too, and with a fast field and ideal conditions, Abdimamid Nur's outdoor record of 13:06.32 may be in jeopardy.

Samuel won't be alone though, as a few more collegians wouldn't mind leaving the West Coast with a fast time of their own. 

Wisconsin's Bob Liking, BYU's Casey Clinger and Oklahoma State's Brian Musau are just three of many collegiate stars to be on the lookout for this weekend.

When Is The Bryan Clay Invitational 2024?

Bryan Clay Invitational begins on Thursday, April 11 and ends on Saturday, April 13. 

How To Watch The Bryan Clay Invitational 2024

The Bryan Clay Invitational is streaming on FloTrack and the FloSports app. Meet replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms. 

Bryan Clay Invitational 2024 Schedule On Thursday, April 11

Heptathlon and decathlon

  • 12:00 PM EST: Heptathlon E and F 100 Hurdles (4 heats). Approximate 200m start time 3:30 PM EST
  • 1:00 PM EST: Decathlon D and C 100 Meters (4 heats). Approximate 400m start time 7:00 PM EST
  • 1:30 PM EST: Heptathlon C and D 100 Hurdles (4 heats). Approximate 200m start time 6:00 PM EST
  • 5:00 PM EST: Decathlon A and B 100 Meters (4 heats). Approximate 400m start time 11:10 PM EST
  • 6:00 PM EST: Heptathlon A and B 100m Hurdles (4 heats). Approximate 200m start time 10:15 PM EST

Track events

  • 7:45 PM EST: W Open Steeple [slow to fast] 5 Heats
  • 8:45 PM EST: M Open Steeple [slow to fast] 5 Heats
  • 9:45 PM EST: M Invite Steeple [slow to fast] 3 Heats
  • 10:15 PM EST: Hep 200m [Section A and B]** 4 Heats
  • 10:30 PM EST: W Invite Steeple [fast to slow] 3 Heats
  • ** 8:15 PM EST: 5min delay after W Invite Ht 1 before Ht 2
  • 11:10 PM EST: Dec 400m [Section A and B]** 4 Heats
  • 11:25 PM EST: W Invite 10k Heat 2
  • 12:00 AM EST (next day): M Invite 10k Heat 2
  • 12:30 AM EST (next day): W Invite 10k Heat 1 [Fastest]
  • 1:10 AM EST (next day): M Invite 10k Heat 1 [Fastest]
  • 1:45 AM EST (next day): W Invite 10k Heat 3
  • 2:20 AM EST (next day): M Invite 10k Heat 3 Finish by 2:50 AM EST

Bryan Clay Invitational 2024 Schedule On Friday, April 12

Field Events

Hammer Throw: At Citrus College Stadium Hammer Cage

  • 12:00 PM EST: Men’s Hammer (4 Flights and FINALS)
  • 3:30 PM EST: Women’s Hammer (3 Flights and FINALS)
  • 7:00 PM EST: Men’s Discus (3 Flights and Finals)
  • Discus Throw: At Azusa Pacific Stadium Track
  • 12:30 PM EST: Women’s Discus (2 flights and Finals)

Heptathlon Day 2 with estimated times

  • 12:00 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section F] 1:00 JT, 3:15 800m
  • 1:00 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section E] 2:00 JT, 3:15 800m
  • 2:00 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section D] 3:00 JT, 4:45 800m
  • 3:00 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section C] 4:15 JT, 6:05 800m
  • 4:15 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section B] 5:30 JT, 7:20 800m
  • 5:30 PM EST: Heptathlon LJ [Section A] 6:45 JT, 9:05 800m

Decathlon Day 2 with estimated times

  • 2:30 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H [Section D] 3:10 DT, 4:10 PV, 7:15 JT West runway. 9:15 PM 1500m
  • 3:00 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H [Section C], 4:10 DT, 5:10 PV, 8:00 JT East runway, 9:20 PM 1500m
  • 4:00 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H [Section B], 5:10 DT, 6:30 PV, 9:00 JT runway TBA, 10:50 PM 1500m
  • 4:30 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H [Section A], 6:10 DT, 7:10 PV, 9:40 JT runway TBA, 10:55 PM 1500m

Track Events

  • 10:00 AM EST: M Open 10k [slow to fast] 2 Heats
  • 11:05 AM EST: W Open 10k [fast to slow] 2 Heats
  • 12:25 PM EST: M Open B 5k [fast to slow] 3 Heats
  • 1:10 PM EST: W Open B 5k [fast to slow] 3 Heats Finish by 2:10 PM
  • 2:30 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H Section D 4 Heats
  • 3:00 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H Section C 4 Heats
  • 3:15 PM EST: Hepathlon 800m Section F and E 2 Heats
  • 4:00 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H Section B 4 Heats
  • 4:30 PM EST: Decathlon 110 H Section A 4 Heats
  • 4:45 PM EST: Heptathlon 800m Section D 1 Heat
  • 4:50 PM EST: W Open 800 [fast to slow] 24 Heats - waterfall (12/heat)
  • 6:05 PM EST: Heptathlon 800m Section C 1 Heat
  • 6:10 PM EST: M Open 800 [fast to slow] 24 Heats - waterfall (12/heat)
  • 7:20 PM EST: Heptathlon 800m Section B 1 Heat
  • 7:25 PM EST: W Invite 800 [fast to slow] 16 Heats - lanes (8/heat)

** 5min delay after Women’s Invite Ht 1 before Ht 2

  • 8:20 PM EST: M Invite 800 [fast to slow] 16 Heats - lanes (8/heat)

** 5min delay after Men’s Invite Ht 1 before Ht 2

  • 9:15 PM EST: Heptathlon 800m Section A 1 Heat
  • 9:20 PM EST: Decathlon Section C & D 1500m 2 Heat

Men’s & Women’s Open A 5k [ Alternating Gender, SLOW to FAST ] 4 heats/gender

  • 9:40 PM EST: W Open A 5k Ht 1
  • 9:58 PM EST: M Open A 5k Ht 1
  • 10:14 PM EST: W Open A 5k Ht 2
  • 10:32 PM EST: M Open A 5k Ht 2
  • 10:50 PM EST: Decathlon 1500m Section A and B 2 Heats
  • 11:05 PM EST: W Open A 5k Ht 3
  • 11:23 PM EST: M Open A 5k Ht 3
  • 11:38 PM EST: W Open A 5k Ht 4
  • 11:56 PM EST: M Open A 5k Ht 4

Men’s & Women’s Invite 5k [ Alternating Gender, FAST to SLOW ] 4 heats/gender

  • 12:15 AM EST (next day): W Invite 5k Ht 1
  • 12:37 AM EST (next day): M Invite 5k Ht 1
  • 12:57 AM EST (next day): W Invite 5k Ht 2
  • 1:15 AM EST (next day): M Invite 5k Ht 2
  • 1:30 AM EST (next day): W Invite 5k Ht 3
  • 1:48 AM EST (next day): M Invite 5k Ht 3
  • 2:03 AM EST (next day): W Invite 5k Ht 4
  • 2:20 AM EST (next day): M Invite 5k Ht 4

Bryan Clay Invitational 2024 Schedule On Saturday, April 13

Track Events

  • 10:30 AM EST: M Open C 5k [slow to fast] 4 Heats
  • 11:30 AM EST: W Open C 5k [fast to slow] 4 Heats Finished by 12:40 PM
  • 12:50 PM EST: Welcome Prayer & National Anthem
  • 1:00 PM EST: M 4x100
  • 1:15 PM EST: W 4x100
  • 1:30 PM EST: M 400
  • 1:55 PM EST: W 400
  • 2:30 PM EST: M 100
  • 3:00 PM EST: W 100
  • 3:50 PM EST: M 110 Hurdles
  • 4:20 PM EST: W 100 Hurdles
  • 5:00 PM EST: M 400 Hurdles
  • 5:35 PM EST: W 400 Hurdles
  • 6:05 PM EST: M 200
  • 6:35 PM EST: W 200
  • 7:05 PM EST: M 4x400
  • 7:30 PM EST: W 4x400

1500 Heats Begin: Run in Chronological Order

  • 8:00 PM EST: W Open C 1500 12 Heats [Slow to Fast]
  • 8:50 PM EST: M Open C 1500 12 Heats [Slow to Fast]
  • 9:40 PM EST: W Invite 1500 12 Heats [Slow to Fast]
  • 10:35 PM EST: M Invite 1500 12 Heats [Fast to Slow]
  • ** 5min delay after M Invite Ht 1 before Ht 2
  • 11:30 PM EST: W Open A 12 Heats [Fast to Slow]
  • 12:20 AM EST (next day): M Open A 12 Heats [Fast to Slow]
  • 1:10 AM EST (next day): W Open B 12 Heats [Fast to Slow]
  • 2:00 AM EST (next day): M Open B 12 Heats [Fast to Slow] Finish

Field Events

  • 1:00 PM EST: Women’s High Jump A and D (A on South Pit and D on North Pit)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Women’s Long Jump (5 flights and FINALS)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Men’s Long Jump (5 flights and FINALS)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Men’s Javelin (3 flights with FINALS)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Women’s Pole Vault C (East Pit)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Men’s Pole Vault C (West Pit)
  • 1:00 PM EST: Women’s Shot Put (4 flights and FINALS)
  • 3:15 PM EST: Men’s High Jump A (South Pit)
  • 4:00 PM EST: Men’s Pole Vault A (West Pit)
  • 4:00 PM EST: Women’s Pole Vault A (East Pit)
  • 4:00 PM EST: Women’s Javelin (4 flights and FINALS)
  • 5:30 PM EST: Women’s High Jump B and C (B on South Pit and C on North Pit)
  • 6:00 PM EST: Men’s Triple Jump (5 flights and FINALS)
  • 6:00 PM EST: Women’s Triple Jump (5 flights and FINALS)
  • 6:00 PM EST: Men’s Shot Put (4 flights and FINALS)
  • 7:00 PM EST: Men’s Pole Vault B (West Pit)
  • 7:00 PM EST: Women’s Pole Vault B (East Pit)
  • 7:45 PM EST: Men’s High Jump B (South Pit)

Bryan Clay Invitational Results On FloTrack

Results from the 2024 Bryan Clay Invitational will be on FloTrack

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