As a Melbourne University Athletic Club member, you are automatically eligible to compete, as an individual and in teams, in all official year-round competitions held by Athletics Victoria.

These competitions include prestigious annual State track and field championships, as well road and cross-country races in winter.

The summer track and field season commences in late October, has a short recess over Christmas and runs through until March. Sprint group training continues throughout winter.

Distance athletes look forward to cross country and road racing commencing in April and concluding in September. Specialist track and field athletes are also welcome to compete in the winter season for general fitness or to break up their arduous winter training regime.

Summer competition

The Athletics Victoria Shield competition is an interclub competition conducted at (number) of venues in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Our ‘home’ venue is the Moonee Valley Athletics Centre at Aberfeldie.

Both men’s and women’s teams compete in a number of graded divisions, providing a very flexible range of competition from average jogger up to Olympic standard.

This means that all members have access to a standard of competition at which they can enjoy the chance to excel within their own personal level of accomplishment.

Individuals can choose to compete in events other than those for which they have been selected. For example, an athlete selected to run a Division 1 1500m race may also choose to run a 5000m race or throw the shot put on the same day.

Teams entered for summer 2009/10:

Men: Divisions 1, 2, and 3

Women: Divisions 1 and 2

Under 18, under 16 and under 14 levels are also represented. Many of our underage competitors attend University High School in Royal Parade and choose to train and compete with Melbourne University Athletic Club for its proximity, convenience and the support it provides for young student runners.

Championships

World Championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games

Melbourne University Athletic Club has a long and proud history of members competing at world level. MUAC Olympians include Ralph Doubell, whose performance at Mexico in 1968 won Australia’s only athletics gold medal for (number) years along with a national record of (time) that stood for (x) years.  Other MUAC Olympians include Merv Lincoln, Lee Naylor and Nova Peris.

State and national championships

Melbourne University Athletic Club members have traditionally held a strong presence at state and national track and field championships. These competitions, held towards the end of the summer season are the primary selection events for national representative teams in open, junior and senior categories.

State relay championships and national club championships

Team-based championships at which MUAC has always had considerable success. These are also held at the end of the summer season, providing members with the chance to cement excellent performances as part of a team.

Country championships

City-registered athletes are eligible to compete by invitation in the annual Victorian Country Championships. With a significant number of members whose home is rural- or regional-based, Melbourne University Athletic Club has always had a strong representation at these championships.

Cross Country and Road Racing Competition

The MUAC distance team has a proud tradition of competing in the Athletics Victoria winter cross country and road relay competition, known as the XCR series. This is one of the strongest competitions in Australia, offering a wonderful place for runners of all abilities to compete and reach their personal bests. The season provides a flexible range of distances and terrains to suit every runner, with women’s teams in divisions 1, 2 and 4 and men’s teams in divisions 2, 3, 5 and 7. Conducted at various city and country venues, races range from 4km up to 21.1 km.

Some highlights include:
The Sandown Classic 10km, a fast three and a bit laps around the car racing circuit. The race attracts over 1000 people and some of the best runners in Australia.

The Tan Relays at the home of distance running in Melbourne, the 3.87km Tan track around the Botanical Gardens. The traditional close of the winter season, teams of 4, 5 or 6 run a lap each around the track.

The Brimbank Cross Country, including a 10 mile race, contested continuously since 1892. Over a testing course with some substantial hills, athletes race a variety of distances for club and glory.

White Train athletes

The MUAC distance team is known informally as the White Train, thanks to its strikingly conspicuous white uniform with blue and black sash that has served the club for well over 100 years. The White Train name is a play on another famous sporting ‘Train’, Lance Armstrong’s Tour de France ‘Blue Train’.

Other competitions

University Games

Held in middle of semester two, the university games are open to all Melbourne University students. This is a flagship University event and MUAC student members are encouraged to participate in both the competition and social events. Visit the Unisport website for details of the next Games. (clickthrough)

Universiade

The pinnacle of University sport, student athletes from 15 sports compete at Universiade every two years.  Beginning in 1923 as the World Student Games, the competition has often seen world leading performances.  The 25^th Universiade in Belgrade (2009) featured MUAC’s Tom Barnes in the 20km walk.  The 26^th Universiade will hosted by Shenzhen in 2011.

Professional athletics, fun runs etc

MUAC encourages its athletes to participate in other competitions including professional athletic events, fun runs, orienteering and related events. For example, MUAC has had a strong presence over the years on the professional circuit, including at Stawell.

Uniforms

The highly-recognised Melbourne University Athletic Club uniform is steeped in history and, in an age of design fads changing every few years, remains one of the few original designs in athletics ranks.  The blue and black sash over white provides an instantly recognisable brand and our athletes wear it with great pride. Uniforms are available at the track on training days.

Shorts and tights can be purchased from most sporting stores and should only have a small manufacturer logo or none at all.

Financial assistance
Depending on the financial status of the Club, different levels of assistance may be provided to athletes on state and national teams. MUAC has previously supported athletes competing at Olympic, World and National Championships. You can view our formal policy here.