I received notification today that the California (Modesto) Relays will not be held this year. This will mark the second time in the last three years that the meet will be absent from the schedule. Following is the copy from the notice that I received – with permission from Mr. Miller:

909 15th Street, Suite 7
Modesto, California 95354

Modesto Relays, Inc.
Dba: California Invitational Relays
californiarelays@aol.com
Gregg E. Miller
Executive Director
(209) 988-0390
March 30, 2011
Re: California Relays 2011
Sacramento, California

Dear Athletes, Coaches, Managers, Officials and Loyal Fans,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our status for the 2011 meet. Due to the revailing economic conditions, many of our longtime sponsors including SaveMart supermarkets have informed us that they are not in a financial position to participate this year. This is also the case with longtime supporter USA Track and Field, as they have instead allocated funds in other areas and to other events this year.

During these past months our staff of dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly to secure additional sponsorships, with some success, however regrettably not enough to stage the meet as it should be done and as you would expect of us. We have therefor made the difficult decision to suspend the meet for 2011 and come back in the 2012 Olympic Year. This decision is very disappointing, as our Meet, founded in 1942 is the 3rd longest running Meet if it’s class in the USA, and so many enjoy and appreciate the need for a West Coast meet with stellar conditions held in our traditional hometown style. We are extremely grateful to all of you for your dedication and support over these many years, and we look forward to 2012 and the return of one of the greatest meets in the history of our sport.

Sincerely,

Gregg Miller
Director

Bill Morad 60 years
Bob Stewart 62 years
Jack Albiani 46 years
Bill & Linda Meyers 31 years
Marty Muse 16years
Olivia Owens 16 years
Mike Terry 14 years
Kathy & John Hogrefe 11 years

I am hoping to see the return of this meet to the track and field schedule. At one time this was one of the premier meets in the world, with a legacy of top level athletes and world records on par with some of the best meets on the European Circuit. With it gone once again, we here on the West Coast will be missing a great opportunity to see some of the world’s best athletes compete.

I would implore USATF and whomever the new CEO turns out to be, to make every effort to see this great meet returned to the 2012 track and field schedule.