Dash across campus creates healthy rivalry

Sport

Twenty staff and students have hotfooted it across campus in the inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Cup footrace.

Loosely based on the 'Great Court Run' from the 1981 Hugh Hudson film Chariots of Fire, the race was organised by the Adelaide University Sports Association to help bring the University community together, promote healthy rivalry between the University's five academic faculties and generate increased interest in physical recreation.

Two students and two staff from each faculty - a male and female of each - raced 800 metres across the North Terrace Campus, starting at the Barr Smith Lawns (close to the George Murray building), heading up the Barr Smith stairs, continuing towards North Terrace, around Goodman Crescent and down past Elder Hall, and back to the finish in front of Union Hall.

Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences was named the Champion Faculty for 2009, with winning team members presented with the Vice-Chancellor's Cup by Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

The Cup was originally awarded to Dr Charleton Yeatman in 1909 for the 'Best Overall Athlete' of the University and was donated back to the Sports Association by his grandsons.

The members of the winning team included Adelaide Harbison, Stephen Jelfs, Jeff Dutschke and Amelia Greig.

"Boosting that competitive spirit and rivalry is a good way of encouraging participation in sport and other activities on campus," said Mr Mike Daws, Executive Officer of the Adelaide University Sports Association.

"It will help bring staff and students together, help develop a sense of pride within the University community and, very importantly, promote the fun side of campus life."

Story by Robyn Mills