Chariots of Fire 2014
Organising a "Chariots of Fire" race on West Sands in St Andrews, and leaving no one disappointed, is a formidable task but Ben McLeod pulls it off every year, having turned the 2011 race into an annual extravaganza. Ben's powers of persuasion range from attracting race sponsors to getting some 500 runners to dress in white…
All runners get a medal, a Fisher & Donaldson fudge donut, musical entertainment, fruit, local beer and the chance to reenact the famous beach scene from Chariots of Fire. Prizes are donated by local businesses and a decent wedge of cash goes to the chosen charity: this year was the Association of International Cancer Research.
I won the 2012 race largely because no one faster turned up, but this year there were some speedy women on the start line. The "Chariots of Fire" music played us over the start and we were off at a decent pace. I was running in second (woman) for most of the first km so decided to take advantage of the tailwind and try to surge ahead. Callum (Fife AC) went with me (actually, slightly ahead) and we quickly forged a small gap. I then made a break for Nick Brew up ahead and stayed on his shoulder until around 400m to go. At that point another runner caught us and he and Nick fought it out for the line. I let them go. Honest :P
Running in as first woman (and sixth overall) with Vangelis playing was a great feeling, made especially emotional as it's four days off my two-year anniversary of being told I would never, should never, run again. Finishing over two minutes faster than last year felt pretty good too!
This year we also got the option to buy a 1924 Olympic replica shirt. Well, who wouldn't want one of these!
Thoughtful and generous prizes too. I'll have to race again next year to fight it out for the shield!
Garmin reading (tailwind out, headwind home!)
Photo: David Smyth
All runners get a medal, a Fisher & Donaldson fudge donut, musical entertainment, fruit, local beer and the chance to reenact the famous beach scene from Chariots of Fire. Prizes are donated by local businesses and a decent wedge of cash goes to the chosen charity: this year was the Association of International Cancer Research.
I won the 2012 race largely because no one faster turned up, but this year there were some speedy women on the start line. The "Chariots of Fire" music played us over the start and we were off at a decent pace. I was running in second (woman) for most of the first km so decided to take advantage of the tailwind and try to surge ahead. Callum (Fife AC) went with me (actually, slightly ahead) and we quickly forged a small gap. I then made a break for Nick Brew up ahead and stayed on his shoulder until around 400m to go. At that point another runner caught us and he and Nick fought it out for the line. I let them go. Honest :P
Running in as first woman (and sixth overall) with Vangelis playing was a great feeling, made especially emotional as it's four days off my two-year anniversary of being told I would never, should never, run again. Finishing over two minutes faster than last year felt pretty good too!
Photo: David Smyth
This year we also got the option to buy a 1924 Olympic replica shirt. Well, who wouldn't want one of these!
Thoughtful and generous prizes too. I'll have to race again next year to fight it out for the shield!
Garmin reading (tailwind out, headwind home!)
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