Winners announced for 18th annual Great Court Race

Julia Adams and Garth Silva shrugged off the disappointment of last year’s race to run out impressive victors in The University of Queensland’s 18th annual Great Court Race held today (Wednesday, May 15).

The 636-metre one-lap dash around UQ’s Great Court is based on the Cambridge University Race, as featured in the film Chariots of Fire.

It was a case of going one better in 2002 for women’s open champion Julia Adams and men’s victor Garth Silva, both of whom finished runners-up in 2001.

Adams finished in 1.47.39 to upstage favourite and state 1500m champion Katrina Dodds for the women’s title.

The business/science student, who captained The University of Queensland Club to their recent National Club Championship, finished strongly from the back of the field ahead of Dodds (1.48.14) and Christie Groves (1.55.89).

The open women’s record is held by Sandra Dawson who covered the distance in 1.41.68 in 1993.

Garth Silva, a State 800m finalist, confirmed his potential on the track with an impressive victory in the men’s race after overcoming a missed start.

The 20-year-old business/law student claimed the title with a time of 1.29.73 to fight off strong challenges from Danny Russell (1.31.36) and Robbie Rankin (1.31.54).

Silva, who competed in a number of Telstra A-Series meets this year over 800m, will contest the 800m at the Australian University Games in Adelaide in September.

The men’s race record is 1.26.40, set in 1988 by four-time winner Simon Still.

The inaugural Great Court Handicapped Sprint Race ran over 70m produced a tight result with 200m State finalist Will Caswell running down former Denmark decathlon champion Anders Black to claim victory in the final metres.

Media: For further information, contact Rowan Foster at UQ SPORT (telephone 07 3365 6041 or mobile 0413 399 169).