The 2nd ANNUAL GOLDENSPRINT CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL
Runners from area high schools and colleges have been invited to compete in the second annual GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational, Feb. 23, at the legendary Utah Olympic Oval. In this track and field event, sprinters will compete in the 60 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters sprints, and the 60 meters hurdles race.
This meet, sanctioned by the USA Track and Field Association (USATF), is the dream of Akwasi Frimpong, Dutch Olympic level athlete and UVU student. He hopes to inspire more youth to participate in sports – especially track and field. He partnered with theUtah Olympic Oval in 2012 and again this year to put together this meet
The name of the meet, “GoldenSprint,” is one of Frimpong’s nicknames he earned when racing as an illegal African immigrant in the Netherlands. His Dutch coaches gave him golden track shoes after his first Dutch National win. The fastest men’s and women’s sprinters at the GoldenSprint Challenge will follow Frimpong’s footsteps and take home a golden spikes trophy.
Top colleges and high schools in the state, including UVU, BYU, Davis High, Riverton High, Herriman High and Alta High will be attending the event. The GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational has quickly gained recognition and support from businesses in the area and international brands, including Nike, Wal-Mart, Neways Inc., Carrabba's Italian Grill, The Utah Olympic Oval, Runner's Corner, and McGees Stamp & Trophy. The track meet has also been selected as the 2013 USATF-Utah Association Indoor Track & Field Championship.
“I want to promote sprinting and training in Utah, and involve local students and athletes,” Frimpong said. “With the long winters in Utah, it’s important to be able to train indoors at the legendary Utah Olympic Oval. Plus, it’s a very fast track.”
The GoldenSprint Challenge will be hosted on Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 S. Cougar Lane in Kearns. The proceeds from the event benefit the Utah Special Olympics. To register for the meet, visit www.goldensprintchallenge.com. For more information, call Akwasi Frimpong at 801-494-3060 or Robin Bryant, USATF meet director, at 801-636-3949. Information can also be obtained by emailinggoldensprintchallenge@gmail.