A BIG crowd gathered at Australian Catholic University’s (ACU National) McAuley Campus in Brisbane for the running of the inaugural Bell Tower Bolt Cup last month.
The run kicked off Orientation Week at the campus from February 13-18.
Second, third and fourth year students took part in heats to claim the inaugural cup as first year students cheered them on.
In the final race, third year student Josh Stein met fourth year student Brendan Gillespie with the McAuley Student Association mascot, “The Mongrel” (Sam Hayden), hot on their heels.
The race, organised by the campus ministry and students’ association, began under the university’s bell tower and competitors ran down the hill to a marker and back up the hill to the tower and the finish line.
Gillespie had a flying start with Stein close behind.
The fourth year student touched the downhill barrier first, turned and raced back up the hill.
But Stein, showing strength and determination, began to gain ground.
However, at the top of the hill he split two blood blisters on his foot and had to slow down, but continued on to complete the bolt behind the faster finishing Gillespie.
The McAuley mascot collapsed over the finish line some distance behind.
Campus minister Andrew Beiers said about 600 people checked out the university during O-Week.
