Texas Relays Underway at UT

The 83rd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays have begun at the University of Texas, with about 5,000 high school and college athletes competing in track and field events.

More than 40,000 people are expected to be in Austin for the annual event, bringing $8 million to the local economy.

Community leaders have also put together other events in conjunction with the Texas Relays, like the Urban Music Festival this weekend at Auditorium Shores. Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole spearheaded an effort to expand the cultural activities and providing Highland Mall with extra security to accommodate the expected 20,000 visitors.

The city's rolling out of the welcome mat this year stands in contrast with 2009's Texas Relays, when Highland Mall closed early citing a lack of security officers and several downtown exit ramps on I-35 and downtown bars were also closed down. The closings sparked protests from local ministers and the Austin NAACP.