Downtown shot put event set for April 17

The Downtown Lawrence Men’s Shot Put is back for a fourth spring and is scheduled for Friday, April 17, in its usual location, on Eighth Street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire Streets, the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau announced Tuesday.

Fan favorite Reese Hoffa, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Christian Cantwell, 2008 Olympic silver medalist, and Ryan Whiting, 2014 World Indoor Champion, are among the field of 10 throwers who have committed to the event.

The downtown shot put has drawn big crowds in the past and the competitors have interacted with the crowd, enciting spectators to bring volume so that they can feed off their energy.

“The athletes enjoy coming to Lawrence because it is such an unusual setting for the competition and Lawrence always gives them a warm welcome,” event organizer Bob Sanner said in a press release. “The City supports this unique opportunity and people get a chance to see Olympic athletes in action right downtown and enjoy something of a street party afterwards.”