Before the 2026 Drake Relays begin, a different competition will take place, where a four-legged champion will be crowned.
On April 19 at the Knapp Center, 24 wrinkled contestants will walk across a stage in comedic costumes, with encouraging fans holding handmade signs.
The Beautiful Bulldog Contest at Drake University, now in its 47th year, has become one of the most prized Drake Relays traditions, bringing together community members, adoring fans and lots of laughter.
This year, organizers are also seeking one Drake student to join the panel of judges, offering another way for students to be part of the historic tradition; this will be announced on April 10.
“It’s a great way to kick off the Relays, because it’s silly and we don’t take it seriously,” said Thad Smull, program coordinator for alumni relations and co-director of the event. “It’s just a fun, light-hearted kind of way to get families to come to campus.”
The contest doesn’t just bring people from Des Moines. Every year, more than a hundred bulldogs are registered from across the country, leading to a live broadcast of the lottery drawing in which only 24 names are drawn.
During the 2025 lottery, competitors Kayla Armstrong and Cole Henry were shocked when they heard the announcers call out “North Liberty,” where they’re from.
“We just looked at each other, had our fingers crossed,” Armstrong said. “When they called out Milo’s name, we were just super excited to even get a chance just to bring him down there.”
Milo, an 8-year-old English bulldog, went on to win the contest.
“The judges fell in love with his typical bulldog personality,” Armstrong said.
Milo will return to help crown the winner of the 2026 Beautiful Bulldog Contest.
Armstrong’s involvement with this event felt like a full-circle moment, as she is a 2017 Drake graduate and former soccer player. She attended the contest as a student every year, which brought her to fall in love with English bulldogs.
Henry attended Iowa State University, where he got Milo and immediately wanted to enter Milo into the contest, but was under the impression that since Milo was neutered, he wasn’t eligible.
“Seven years later, we looked at the rules and found out that was not the case, and we were able to enter Milo,” Armstrong said.
Preparing for the 2025 contest was chaotic, but also very fun, Armstrong said. Milo wore a Drake soccer uniform, which included cleats and Drake socks. The couple then rehearsed a skit with Milo as the soccer player. Henry would flash a red card, and Milo would then bark, acting as if he was talking back to the referee.
“Right before we walked on stage, Milo wanted nothing to do with the ball,” Armstrong said. “He just kind of wanted to lie there.”
Even though the routine fell apart, the crowd still fell in love with him.
When the judge crowned Milo, Armstrong said that Milo seemed to be “the proud little king on his throne and owned his moment.”
Winning the Beautiful Bulldog Contest comes with some requirements after crowning. There are many appearances throughout Relay Week, varying from alumni events to the track events, even including a special golf cart ride around the blue circle.
While the Beautiful Bulldog only reigns for a year, Griff II and later Griff III serve as Drake University’s live mascot and has an ongoing role at the University.
Erin Bell, associate director of marketing and director of the live mascot program, said that “it quickly became clear that we needed to differentiate between the beautiful bulldog and the mascot.”
Griff II looks over the contest and leads “Griff Gives Back,” an annual pet food drive benefiting the Pet Project Midwest.
And for people considering entering their dog?
“Do it,” Armstrong said. “Put your name in the hat, and embrace the full experience and just have fun with it.”
