Harambe’s Revenge pushes their gurney down the raceway during the annual Gurney Derby on Wednesday. For all their efforts, the team won “Best Dressed Gurney” and “Dead Last.” Photo by Ian KeelNick Adrian - Contributorniadri05@uab.edu
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, teams of students and faculty raced decorated hospital gurneys down 13th Street in UAB’s longest-running homecoming tradition: the Gurney Derby.
The event, sponsored by the UAB National Alumni Society, was a race among teams from various academic departments and organizations competing to make it to the end of 13th Street and back with their gurneys in the shortest amount of time. The race took place between Sterne Library and the Education Building.
Around 20 teams, each with two women and two men, competed in the race. The teams were required to have a non-living “passenger” ride along in the gurney, which could be anything from a stuffed animal to a stuffed shirt and pants. Two of the team members actually ran in the race while a two-member pit crew assisted in the preparations. Teams were encouraged to design their gurney and wear costumes that coincided with their respective themes.
To remain eligible, team members had to be sure to keep the gurney in place during the race, making sure not to let go. They were also prohibited from riding the gurney, interfering with competing teams or walking during the race. Members were also required to wear helmets, wrist guards and elbow and knee pads for safety.
The rules of the actual race were simple: when it was time to start, the four team members would push their gurney, with their intact passenger, as quickly and safely as possible. Once the teams reached the orange cones signaling the end of their lane, each member had to turn around and race the gurney back to the starting point.
The two teams that finished in the shortest amount of time were given a plaque to signify the first and second place award. Awards were also given out for “Best Dressed Gurney,” “Most Creative Passenger” and “Dead Last.”
The race began at 12 p.m. and was run in timed heats in which each team raced once. Each team’s run time was recorded and written down and the winner determined by the fastest time.
After an intense race, the “Hemoglobin Trotters” from the School of Health Professions won first place at 30.1 seconds and the School of Engineering’s “The Blazing Engineers” came in second at 30.30 seconds. The “Most Creative Passenger” award went to “Public Enema” from the School of Nursing and the team “Harambe’s Revenge,” composed of members of Sigma Kappa Sorority and Theta Chi Fraternity, won the “Dead Last” award. “Harambe’s Revenge” safari-themed costumes also won them the “Best Dressed Gurney” award.
“We went into the derby just expecting to have a good time, but hoping to continue the PA school Gurney Derby legacy,” said Kerrie Shaw, team caption of the Hemoglobin Trotters. “We’re so excited and honored to continue the PA program winning streak and so grateful for the awesome experience.”
