Beach Party On The East Coast
One of Scotland's most iconic events made its return at the weekend...
Over 500 runners took part in one of the country's most iconic events at the weekend as the Chariots of Fire Beach Race made its return to St Andrew's West Sands on Sunday after a two year hiatus. A day for celebration, made doubly so with the race's 10-year anniversary also falling this year.
The event, which commemorates the unforgettable opening ‘beach run’ scene of the 1981 movie ‘Chariots of Fire’, is a flat out and back chip-timed 5K along the shore, run entirely on sand and in the surf. As always flags and a piper marked out the half-way point for turning and just like in the movie, runners started and finished on the same West Sands location to the sweeping strains of Vangelis’ famous theme tune.
Speaking after the race, organisers commented: "It was wonderful to see so many returning Charioteers and fabulous to welcome so many new ones - we hope this becomes part of an enduring tradition.
"Basking in the early evening sun, feeling the warm glow of an early Scottish summer evening and reflecting on another aweseome day on the West Sands. Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful return. Can't wait to do it all again next year!"
Participants were similarly delighted with the race's return... Lucy Pearce commented on Facebook: "Thank you, a fantastic very well organised event which I do hope will become a family tradition in our household!"
And if you want to get the date in the diary, 2023 will see the race return on 4 June, entries are yet to open but keep an eye on runABC for details when we have them.
If you would like to check out results from the weekend's race, you can do so over at runABC's race listing page here.
More information on the race can be found here.
Image: Chariots of Fire Beach Race