Tom Moore

Who was Tom Moore?

Tom Moore was a National Track and Field Hall of Fame track and field promoter, known for his decades of service as meet director of the Modesto Relays.

As a hurdler for the University of California, Moore tied the world record in the 120 yard high hurdles at 14.2. He was the 1935 United States Champion in the 400 metres hurdles.

Toward the end of his running career in 1942, he was asked to help with a start up track and field event at Modesto Junior College. Moore served as the starter for the first meet for all but one race . . . the high hurdles, which he won. He had his running shorts on under his uniform and hastily changed to run. He gained a reputation as a top track and field official.

For most of its 67 year run in Modesto Moore's name would go on to become synonymous with the event called the Modesto Relays. Moore did almost everything else to make the meet what it became, from attracting top name talent to adjusting the lights toward the track. Moore found sponsorship from S&W Foods that brought notoriety to the otherwise sleepy Central Valley town. When S&W dropped its sponsorship in 1994, Moore found a new sponsor in Coca Cola.