Tom Moore starting the 2004 Brutus Hamilton Memorial Invitational

In May of 2002, when we learned of the passing of Tom Moore — the guardian of the rich track and field tradition of Northern California’s Central Valley — we just knew we had to pay homage to this legendary individual with an On Track catalog dedication.

Although a couple wonderful sportsmen managed to sneak in ahead of Tom’s spotlight, gentleman that he was, we are sure that he would not mind one bit, after all, he was always “all about the athletes.”

Best known for his 60 years of dedicated service as the starter, promoter and meet director of the Modesto Relays, Tom was the soul of this internationally–recognized event held in the California heartland. Elite athletes from around the country and around the globe would make a point not to miss the warm, homey atmosphere that characterized this meet, thanks greatly to Tom’s personal touch.

Tom was born (1914) and raised in California, graduated from Petaluma High School and attended Sacramento City College, where he also ran track. In 1934, Tom set a national junior college record for the 120–yard high hurdles with a time of 14.5. He completed his college career at the University of California, Berkeley, and, while representing Cal at the 1935 West Coast Relays, he tied the world record for the high hurdles by running 14.2.

Our thanks to Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News, photographer Don Gosney, and Hannah Gordon of Cal Media Relations for helping provide images & background for this story.

Over the years, Tom was credited with many ground– breaking accomplishments — among them, being among the first meet directors to invite women to compete in the same meet as men — building the Modesto Relays into the third longest–running track meet in the nation.