The University of Queensland’s annual Great Court race celebrated a quarter of a century this year with a strong field of athletes and plenty of competition.
Based on the Cambridge University Race, featured in the film Chariots of Fire, the annual race sees UQ students take a 636-metre dash around the sandstone cloisters of the Great Court at St Lucia campus.
This year, Kristyn Mackrell took out first place in the open women’s race with a time of 1 minute 46.41 seconds.
Placegetters from last year also made reappearances: Lucy Kennedy came in second place again and 2008 winner Kate Van Homrigh took third.
In the men’s final, 2004 winner Werner Botha was fastest with a time of 1 minute 27.96 seconds, followed by last year’s winner Lee Berry.
Sasha Alexeenko and Karl Stacey took third and fourth places respectively.
In the women’s sprint final, Kate Johnston came first place with a time of 10.93 seconds, followed just one hundredth of a second later by Kate Bell.
Josh Robinson came first in the men’s sprint in 8.15 seconds, followed by David Brown, Chris Ensby and Sasha Alexeenko.
In the residential college relays, Women’s College cheered their squad to victory, while Kings College took out the men’s final.
UQ SPORT Marketing Manager Penny Turland said the Great Court Race was an important date on the University calendar.
“The UQ Great Court Race is synonymous with UQ tradition, dating back to the first event in 1985 to celebrate The University of Queensland’s 75th anniversary,” Ms Turland said.
“The event is an exciting occasion, with the University’s top runners vying for the prestige of placing in the final.
“Twenty-five years on, the event still remains popular today among both entrants and spectators.”
Media: Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2659)
