UQ athletics back on track following floods

A popular 1500m race will serve as the curtain opener for UQ’s newly re-opened athletics track, which was damaged during the January floods.

The Intraining 1500m Classic will show off the Olympic standard eight-lane synthetic track on Thursday, November 3, and has attracted athletes from across Australia.

Additional races across the same distance will take place from primary age athletes, right through to masters level.

Venue manager Tom Brandt said the event has made a positive contribution to the development of distance running in Queensland.

“The 1500m has been on the program at every Olympic Games and is one of the great track events,” Mr Brandt said.

“The Intraining 1500m Classic has proven to be very popular over the years with large fields of up to 20 athletes featuring in any race.

“Queensland athletes have won seven out of the eight men’s elite races, and have won three of the eight women’s elite races.”

The men’s elite race is named in honour of Simon Doyle, a UQ agricultural science graduate, Queensland record holder for the event and former member of the UQ Athletics Club.

InTraining has continued their support of the event as a principal sponsor, a commitment which has held since the event’s inception in 2004. Nike will also be providing prizes on the night.

Races commence at 6.10pm this Thursday, November 3. For more information visit www.uqsport.com.au/1500classic

Media: JP Crawford at UQ Sport (07 3346 7518 jpc@uqs.com.au)