Maurice Greene signed autographs.
He posed for pictures.
The world’s fastest man also ran on Saturday at the Kansas Relays.
Greene, who pulled out of a pair of meets the past two weekends because of hamstring tightness, anchored his star-studded Hudson Smith International 400 relay team to victory in a Relays and Memorial Stadium record 38.45 seconds.
The Nike Central team of Tim Harden, Travis Grant, David Oaks and Wendell Gaskin placed a distant second in 39.54, while Barton County CC notched third in 39.57.
Greene brought the baton home to the delight of 10,500 fans who showed for the Kansas City Schlagle grad’s triumphant return home.
“I came home to put on a good show and I believe I did that I believe we did that,” Greene said, applauding relay teammates Chris Johnson, Ato Bolden and Brian Howard who bettered the old Relays mark of 39.12, set by the Philadelphia Pioneers in 1980.
“I would say that was at least an 8 out of 10,” Greene said of the relay team’s performance. “The four who ran today have not run together all year long.”
Three of the four may represent the United States in the 400 relay at the 2000 Olympics. American Jon Drummond could sub for Bolden, who hails from Trinidad.
Greene said he didn’t foresee such an easy victory on Saturday.
“We didn’t know what to expect. Anything can happen in a relay,” the world indoor 60 and outdoor 100 record holder said.
Greene’s teammates were intent on delivering the baton to Greene with the local hero comfortaby in front for the run down the final straightaway.
That’s exactly what happened … Johnson grabbed the early lead and passed the baton to Bolden, who delivered to Howard cleanly. Howard and Greene had no problem on the final delivery, Greene running alone the final 100.
“It was weighing on my mind today,” Bolden said. “There were a lot of people in the stands and Maurice had to get the stick.”
Greene he knelt on the backstretch and prayed before the race pointed a finger toward the West stands after crossing the tape in first place.
He also took a victory lap and even grabbed the microphone and spoke to the crowd the biggest at the Relays since 19,200 attended in 1983.
“I love being in the spotlight. I love performing before huge crowds,” Greene said.
Greene received a lot of attention all week. He was honored at a reception at KC Schlagle on Thursday and was mobbed by fans during a workout at Memorial Stadium Friday leading to Saturday’s competition.
“It’s been very hectic, very busy, but it’s something I love to do,” said Greene, who said he will return next year with his relay teammates.
“There’s two people to Maurice Greene a performer and a person. A lot of kids look up to me. If I can help one of them, I feel like I helped 1,000.”
Greene said he didn’t know when he’d run next.
He’s trying to pace himself so he can peak at the Olympic Trials and eventually the 2000 Olympics.
“As of now, my coach and I think I’m on the right path,” Greene said. “There are just two meets this year the Trials and Olympics. That’s what I have to prepare for. I’m not excited about the Olympics. The Trials come first.”
He wasn’t thinking about possible injury Saturday on a sunny, warm, yet breezy day. He was going to run. No doubt about it.
“You can’t think about that. You think about staying calm and staying focused, looking at what’s in front of me, the race.”
Meanwhile, the combined HSI/Nike Central women’s 400 relay team also won Saturday. Passion Richardson, Anjanette Kirkland, Inger Miller and Torri Edwards were clocked in 44.09 seconds, tripping runnerup Barton County CC (44.52).
“This was exciting. It’s always a blessing because we don’t get big crowds for track and field,” said Richardson, who also placed second in the open 200. She ran 23.21, finishing behind Barton County CC’s Aleen Bailey, who crossed in 22.86.
“We did pretty well. Our first handoff was iffy, but we got through it. We pulled through it and won. It was fun.”
She couldn’t help but notice the fans’ reaction to Greene.
“That’s who they came to see. You could tell he was excited and proud to be back home,” Richardson said.