Four UQ Great Court wins in a row for Pharmacy student

Pharmacy student Daina Surka wrote herself into the record books when she won the 22nd annual University of Queensland Great Court Race on Wednesday, May 17.

The 800m specialist became the first female athlete in the event’s history to claim four consecutive Great Court Race titles.

Surka built an impressive lead to comfortably win in a time just outside the women’s course record of 1.41.68 set by five-time champion Sandra Dawson in 1993.

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

The challenge for competitors is to finish before the University bell tolls 12 times to be assured of a race record.

In the men’s race Queensland 1500m champion and Human Movement student Mitch Kealy returned to back up his 2005 win and make his mark on UQ’s most traditional race.

Kealy, who is back on homeground after spending a month in California racing on the American college circuit, said it was a tough race to win.

“Unlike track running, you have to slow down and speed up around the corners of the court making it hard work,” he said.

Kealy ran an impressive time of 1.28.80 but didn’t challenge Simon Still’s seemingly untouchable record of 1.26.40 set in 1988.

A student sack race with plenty of spills added a light-hearted touch to the traditional event.

Media: for more information contact, Kelly Chapman on 07 3365 6041 or 0412 066 466.