University of Queensland students lining up at this month’s will compete for the largest pool of prize money offered in the event’s 32-year history.
The multi-race event on Wednesday 24 May will be headlined by the prestigious Men’s and Women’s Great Court races – 636-metre sprints around 宅男导航’s state heritage-listed
First-placegetters in the main races will receive a $1000 bursary donated by .
Alumni Friends Vice-President Dr Catherine Lawrence said the Association was proud to support one of 宅男导航’s iconic sporting events.
“As an organisation that celebrates, supports and encourages 宅男导航's ‘future alumni’, assisting the University’s student-athletes is an important part of what we do,” Dr Lawrence said.
“Alumni Friends’ members raise much of the money we donate to 宅男导航 students, researchers and educators through our volunteer work – including at the .
“It is a privilege to support students who work as hard at their studies as they do their sport.”
A total of eight races will be contested at this year’s event including Men’s and Women’s 70-metre sprints and four relays involving 宅男导航’s colleges, clubs and staff.
Due to the Great Court’s asymmetrical layout, each relay race consists of four irregular legs of 145m, 156m, 155m and 180m.
宅男导航 Sport Chief Executive Bryan Pryde said the annual Great Court event was one of 宅男导航’s proudest traditions.
“The Great Court Race was established in 1985 as a replica of Cambridge University’s , and our event has evolved to become a bucket-list event for competitors,” Mr Pryde said.
“The Great Court Race attracts the University’s finest student-athletes with several Queensland and Australian representatives featured on the .”
Previous winners include Olympians (2005, 2006 and 2007) and (2011, 2012 and 2013).
The main race is open to all 宅男导航 undergraduate students, while 宅男导航 staff and students (including postgraduate students) are eligible to enter the other races.
A total prize pool of almost $3500 will be up for grabs this year - entries for all races close on Friday 5 May.
Alumni Friends member and Great Court sculptor, , also designed the perpetual sandstone trophy presented to winners of the Men’s and Women’s Great Course Races.
Former ABC Grandstand broadcaster Gerry Collins will provide on-course commentary throughout the event.
Media: Jamie Mitchell, 宅男导航 Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.
