It’s 600 metres of pavement, grass, gravel and tarmac and it’s looking for students – and staff to conquer it for the first time in over a decade.
Yes, ‘The Campus Chase’ – a time trial run round the Forth Valley College Stirling Campus, which started in 2013 and was last run in 2016 – is back to see who can clock the fastest time.
Inspired by the ‘Great Court Run’ held at Trinity College, Cambridge, which was immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire, the Campus Chase time trial will see serious racers and fun-runners attack the perimeter of the Stirling Campus building in various numbers of laps against the clock.
It is hoped the event will be split into three sections:
- Intermediate Runners -Three groups three laps (1,800m) 10.30-11.30 TBC
- Advanced Runners -Two groups five laps (3,000m) 11.45-12.45 TBC
- Beginner Runners - Four groups one lap (600m) 13.00-14.00 TBC
The male and female students who achieve the fastest times will be presented with the unique Campus Chase trophy or ‘Golden Guttie’ designed by former Art and Design student Paul McDonald. Their name will also be etched forever in a soon to be erected leader board, but it’s not just about running fast it’s the taking part that counts.
The distances may have changed from the previous format, but as it stands the fastest time ever posted for the one 600m lap was set in 2013 by HND Health, Fitness and Exercise student Calum Ross who posted 1 minute and 44 seconds. Sheryl Gallagher – also on the same HND course – is the fastest ever female participant after she chalked up 2 minutes and 12 seconds.
The fastest male member of staff was Colin Gunning, then a Curriculum Manager and now and Operations Manager in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries, who in 2016 clocked 1 minute 57 seconds, in his first attempt at the event. The fastest female member of staff was Emma Bryce a former Lecturer in Instrumentation at the Falkirk Campus with an excellent time of 2 minutes 16 seconds.
However in the three and a half hours the full event takes place this year, there are only a limited number of time slots available, so registering for the event will be on a first come first served basis. We are looking for serious runners and fun runners to give the event a go. But it would be good if fun runners wanted to try the Chase wearing a fancy dress costume. Both prizes and prestige are up for grabs on the day.
Kasia Slapek, Forth Valley Student Association Student Engagement Coordinator, said: “Do you have what it takes to enter the Campus Chase? We are hoping that the time slots fill up very soon before the event in September and it will enhance our Welcome Week event at the Stirling Campus on the same day. All you have to do is register on a first come first served basis. We can’t wait for the rerun of this event and to see new benchmark times being set for the future.”
Dean McKirdy, FVC’s Active Campus Coordinator, said: “The return of The Campus Chase is fantastic news for the College. I have no doubts it will be even more popular than before, so make
Anyone interested in entering should register online by visiting https://forms.office.com/e/tJ8BTmxR5G
To view a film of the old Campus Chase route from 2014 – please ignore old branding, dates, registration details and the rambling presenting skills of an old crock employee in the film - click here.
