Going into the Kansas Relays, meet director Tim Weaver and his staff have 6,000 admission buttons prepared for pre-purchase.

They’ve already sold out of the first batch of badges, ordered 6,000 more and contemplated ordering a third batch until Weaver realized they wouldn’t arrive in time. Overall, the Relays have 12,000 admission buttons and 28,000 admission tickets ready for the weekend.

What happens if all are sold out?

“I think that would be a great problem to have,” Weaver said.

While perhaps far-fetched, it may not be entirely unrealistic. Weaver said that last season only a “nominal” amount of tickets were sold before the day of the event. As always, KU students are admitted to the Relays for free with their KUIDs.

Last season, based primarily on walk-up sales, almost 18,000 people came out. Weaver hoped that strong pre-sales and the Gold Zone would drive attendance much higher, he said.

The Gold Zone will take place between 2 and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Weaver has high expectations that attendance will swell by the end of the Gold Zone time.

What Weaver calls a “revolutionary change” has officials at USA Track and Field buzzing as well. Michael Cain of USA Track and Field, and Weaver’s college roommate, said that this had created quite a buzz with track squads across the country.

“Best idea they have had since the Relays started,” Cain said.

Charlie Gruber is returning to compete in his fifth Kansas Relays, this time as part of the Gold Zone. He’s excited to come back to what he still considers his home track.

This year’s presentation gives fans so many more reasons to come out to the Relays, he said.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s going to be really super to get all the elite athletes from the ‘premiere’ events in a three-hour block,” Gruber said.

Gruber said he thought this format would give the Relays a greater chance to compete with the most popular sports, such as football and basketball, and also with entertainment such as movies.

That’s been one of Weaver’s main goals.

“This is one of their few chances to see some of the best athletes in the world, not just the U.S. It truly has a world stage. This is one of the few times they’ll be in Lawrence,” Gruber said.

The Relays take place Thursday through Saturday, with events beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets for non-students are good for the entire weekend and are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. There is also a family pack that offers admission to two adults and two children for $20.

A full schedule of meet events will appear in Thursday’s University Daily Kansan.