After attending Petaluma High School and the University of California, Moore moved to Ceres in 1940 to work for his father's lumber yard.

Under the tutelage of Brutus Hamilton, Moore set a world record in the 120-high hurdles in 1935 with a time of 14.2 seconds.

By the 1940s, he had semi-retired from racing, but was making a name for himself as a race starter in all but the 120-high hurdles, which he was still running.

Even after he gave up the hurdles, he continued to be one of the best-known race starters, serving in that role for more than six decades.

Back then, starters were jacks of all trades. So Moore not only shot the starting gun, he helped adjust lights and do other things to make the MJC Track more inviting to the athletes.

By 1945, Moore had taken on the responsibility of meet director for the Modesto Relays—a position he held for 60 years. During the 1950s, 13 world records were either tied or set at the Modesto event.

And the event—the third-longest running meet in the nation and the ninth longest in the world—continues to be one of the top draws for U.S. track and field stars, partly because of its reputation for world records.

Among the more notable athletes who have participated in the Modesto Relays are sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner, pole vaulter Stacy Dragila, miler Jim Ryan, sprinter Maurice Greene, heptathlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, hurdler Edwin Moses and longjumper Bob Beamon.

He also was one of the first race directors to invite women to compete at the same meet with men, and he also included Special Olympic athletes as part of the Modesto Relays.

In 1988, Moore was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Moore died on May 10, 2002, at the age of 88, but his legacy continues.

We, the Central Valley Roadrunners, would like to dedicate this meet to Tom Moore—the man who was the epitome of community track and field for all ages, who put Modesto on the track and field map, and who favored good sportsmanship and fair competition above all else.

Please use Meet Manager to submit your entries. E-mail them to Carl Bryant at [email protected]. Deadline to register is May 12.

From the Bay Area: Take I-580 east. At the I-580/205 split, take I-205 (sign will say to Stockton, Tracy). I-205 eventually merges into I-5 north. Shortly afterward, take the Highway 120 exit and head east (sign will say Manteca, Yosemite). When you reach Highway 99, take the right-hand exit and head south (sign will say Fresno) until you reach Modesto. Then take the Briggsmore/Carpenter Exit. At the stop light at the top of the off-ramp, take a left and head east on Briggsmore. At Tully Road, take a right and head south until you reach the MJC Stadium, which will be on your left-hand side.

From the South: Take Highway 99 north until you reach Modesto. Then take the Briggsmore/Carpenter Exit. At the stop light at the top of the off-ramp, take a right and head east on Briggsmore. At Tully Road, take a right and head south until you reach the MJC Stadium, which will be on your left-hand side.

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