UQ’s top athletes will by vying for a starting position in the historic 23rd Great Court Race when they take to the course for heats next Wednesday, May 23.
Entrants will compete in the 636-metre dash around the sandstone cloisters of the University’s picturesque Great Court to secure their spot in the finals.
The event is based on the famous Cambridge University Race, as featured in the film Chariots of Fire, and attracts an eager crowd of spectators for one of the most anticipated UQ sporting occasions of the year.
The challenge for competitors is to finish before the University bell tolls 12 times to be assured of a race record.
After making history by recording her fourth consecutive victory last year, 800m specialist Daina Surka will be a hot favourite to extend it to five.
The pharmacy student is in fine form, claiming third position in the women’s 800m at the National Club Championships in February, and third in the elite women’s mile at the UQ Athletics Centre earlier this month.
Ms Surka will be keen to break the elusive women’s course record of 1min 41.68secs set by five-time champion Sandra Dawson in 1993.
The men’s race is expected to be another tightly contested affair, with a number of athletes determined to find some pace and record a fast time in the heats.
The current men’s race record is 1.26.40 set in 1988 by four-time victor Simon Still.
The finals will be contested on Wednesday, May 30, along with the Inter College (ICC) races, a handicap 70m sprint race and fun great sack race which students can enter on the day.
The winner of the open men's and open women's Great Court Race events will each receive $150 cash from UQ SPORT, with trophies and gift vouchers for the minor placegetters and relay teams. Sprint winners will receive $100 and prizes.
If you are interested in entering the event, please visit the UQ SPORT website.
