If you were looking for a reason to check out the ambitious Oregon Relays at Hayward Field this weekend, you might consider event No. 123.

It’s the men’s Invitational Mile at 6:32 p.m. Saturday.

An already stellar field added some star power on Thursday when UO all-American distance runner Galen Rupp, who is redshirting the collegiate season, was given the green light to join the race by coach Alberto Salazar.

Rupp, who will be making his outdoor debut, suffered an asthma attack during a training session last Saturday, and his workouts this week have been limited to running the hallways at Nike’s corporate offices in Beaverton.

On Thursday, he finally stepped outside, and Salazar liked what he saw.

“I thought he looked pretty darn good,” he said. “I knew Galen was in good shape, and he’s feeling confident.”