This year’s Drake Relays was more than just a competition—it was a moment in history. On a crisp spring day in Des Moines, Iowa, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd as Tara Davis-Woodhall prepared to take her mark for the women’s long jump. Not far away, her husband, Hunter Woodhall, readied himself for the men’s 400m. The event marked something extraordinary—not only were the Woodhalls competing together for the first time at the same international track meet, but they were doing so under the same banner, side by side, in the colors of a new sponsor: Nike. But this is just the beginning of their dreams!
This wasn’t just about performance. It was about transformation. The 2025 Drake Relays, part of the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT), made room for both elite able-bodied athletes and para-athletes to share the same spotlight. And with Tara and Hunter—an Olympic long jumper and a Paralympic sprinter—competing as equals, that line between athletics and para-athletics blurred a little more. For Tara and Hunter, this moment was years in the making. Their love story has long captured hearts—an unfiltered mix of passion, perseverance, and purpose. But now, their sporting journeys are intertwined in more than marriage. They are united in mission.
In a recent feature with Cosmopolitan, Tara’s voice carried the weight of that mission. “I can’t believe that we’re officially Nike-sponsored athletes,” she said, smiling, eyes glistening with pride. “We’re ready and back in training. We’re ready to change the innovation of track and field—for the Para sport and for long jump.” There’s a reason that quote echoes far beyond headlines. In it, you hear the longing of two athletes who have fought to be seen—not just for their talent, but for their potential to shift paradigms.
Track & Field: Drake Relays Apr 26, 2025 Des Moines, IA, USA Tara Davis-Woodhall reacts after winning the women s long jump at 22-1 3/4 6.75m during the 115th Drake Relays at Drake Stadium. Des Moines Drake Stadium Iowa United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250426_lbm_al2_462
Well, Tara continued after a thoughtful pause, “I feel like long jump is lacking in technology, where it’s all developed in sprints, and then same for Hunter’s blades. There’s not as much innovation as there needs to be, as time is changing.” Their concern vouches both for innovation and inclusivity. Nike already had a view of that message. They had their answer written on their website.
On its website, the company proclaimed: “Nike is announcing the addition of Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall to its decorated track and field roster, further demonstrating the brand’s commitment to partnering with elite athletes to break barriers, push limits and move the world forward through the power of sport.” These are not just words. They are a call to action. A declaration that sport should evolve, not just with performance but with purpose. And no two athletes embody that more than the Woodhalls.
The report is developing…
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