SPRINGDALE, Ark., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Tyson Invitational concluded yesterday with a new world record in the men's 4 x 400-meter relay when USA athletes Kerron Clement, Wallace Spearmon, Darold Williamson and Jeremy Wariner broke the seven-year-old record of the U.S. national team (3:02.83) by nearly a full second with 3:01.96. The team powered around the track carrying the check presented to them by Tyson Foods, who delivered on its promise of rewarding every world record set during the meet with $25,000.
"Seeing Wallace Spearmon set the 300-meter world record on Friday, and then to see the U.S. relay team set it on Saturday was an unbelievable experience for the track and field world and our community," said Bob Corscadden, Tyson Foods' senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "It was a remarkable weekend full of powerful performances."
Leading off with Clement, the U.S. team got off to a fast start. Clement moved to the inside lane, cruised down the back stretch and held on to a four step lead against the field before handing off to Spearmon in 46.1 -- the novice 400-meter runner of the group. He split 45.94 before handing to Williamson, who took the handoff and extended his team's advantage around the track. He clocked a split of 45.18 before Wariner, the 400-meter gold medalist, took the baton for the final two laps. Coming around the final bend with 2,500 fans cheering for this team, the clock read 2:55. Splitting 44.74, the U.S. 4 x 400-meter team shattered the old record.
"With guys like this you really don't have a choice but to break a world record," Spearmon said following his second world record in as many days. "Darold and Jeremy have done it for the last four years. We had Kerron on the team, he was a great guy to add. So I was the weakest link. It kind of felt like I was along for the ride."
The 4 x 4-meter relay world record was the second set at the Randal Tyson Track Center on the weekend and the third in the building's seven-year history. Spearmon set the 300-meter record just 19 hours earlier when he ran 31.88 to break Robson da Silva's mark of 32.19 and was awarded $25,000 by Tyson Foods.
The Randal Tyson Track Center is considered to be one of the finest indoor track and field facilities in the nation. The track is a 200-meter banked oval with a 60-meter straightaway. Tyson Foods was proud to sponsor, for the seventh consecutive year, this event where the athletes' performance was supported by protein's long lasting energy.
The Tyson Invitational will be televised on ESPN 2 on February 12, 2006 at 8:30 p.m. PST. For more information on the Tyson Invitational and Tyson Foods please visit http://www.tysoninvitational.org/ or http://www.tyson.com/.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. , founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein- based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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