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Australian Commonwealth Games middle-distance runners Jordan Williamsz and Zoe Buckman will headline Thursday’s (1 November) UQ Sport 1500m Classic at The University of Queensland.

The annual event, held at the UQ Sport Athletic Centre, will feature a range of 1500m events.

Williamsz, the defending Men’s 1500m Classic champion, will attempt to win his third-straight title.

He was the second-fastest 1500m racer at February’s Australian Championships, followed by sixth place in the 1500m final at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Fellow Australian representative Matthew Ramsden will provide fierce competition for Williamsz, after the 21-year-old won the elimination mile at the 2017 Nitro Athletics event.

UQ student Callum Davies will also aim to mix it with the experienced runners after a breakout 2018 season, which saw him make the 1500m final at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Finland.

The 19-year-old Bachelor of Heath, Sport and Physical Education student backed this up by winning the 1500m at UniSport Australia Nationals Div 1 on the Gold Coast in September.

UQ Sport 1500m Classic director Tom Brandt said there is a high chance race records will be broken at this year’s event.

“Matthew Ramsden likes to boldly attack a race so he may shoot out and see if Jordan Williamsz can come over the top of him,” he said.

“Having local favourite Callum Davies compete as well is also exciting given the results he’s had this year.”

2012 (London) and 2016 (Rio) Olympian Zoe Buckman is the strong favourite to win the Women’s 1500m Classic, and is the only athlete in the field to compete at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

The 29 year-old ran in the 1500m final on the Gold Coast and is looking to claim her first 1500m Classic title after finishing runner-up in 2017.

More than 20 events are scheduled for this year’s Classic, with races for school-aged, race walkers, open-age, and masters competitors.

Mr Brandt said selected races would be broadcast live.

“This year’s Men’s & Women’s 1500m Classic races, as well as Race 1 of the Girls’ and Boys’ 13-19 Years Schools 1500m will be livestreamed,” he said.

“Tune in to the UQ Sport Facebook page at 7pm to witness the action live.”

$8,000 in prize money is on offer with the winners of the showcase Men’s and Women’s 1500m Classic races receiving $1,500 each.

Races will commence at 5:15pm with free entry for spectators.

UQ Sport 1500m Classic – Previous Winners:

                        Men                                        Women

2017               Jordan Williamsz                 Brittany McGowan

2016               Jordan Williamsz                 Brittany McGowan

2015               Max Daddo                          Lara Crouch

2014               Jordan Gusman                   Olivia Burdon

2013               Nick Toohey                         Brittany McGowan

2012               Nick Toohey                         Brittany McGowan

2011               Daniel Bulmer                      Katelyn Simpson

2010               Nick Toohey                         Katelyn Simpson

2009               Mitch Kealey                        Margie Atthow

2008               Nick Toohey                         Lisa Corrigan

2007               Mitch Kealey                        Anna Worland

2006               Mitch Kealey                        Lisa Corrigan

2005               Yucef Abdi                           Emma Rilen

2004               David Byrne                         Emma Rilen

Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.

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Aquatic Centre - 25M Pool Disruption

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