The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Teacher Donald’s influence recalled in creating first scene for Chariots of Fire
St Andrews scholar put together running team for famous opening
It remains one of the most iconic and most imitated scenes in British cinema.
But the famous beach run which opens the multi-Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire might never have happened if it hadn’t been for the efforts of former Olympian, councillor and St Andrews school teacher Donald Macgregor, who died last week aged 80.
The initial filming on the St Andrews West Sands took place on April 24 1980 with workmen busy camouflaging buildings that looked post-1920.
The then university residence Hamilton Hall (formerly The Grand Hotel) was renamed The Carlton Hotel for the shoot as St Andrews became the fictional setting of ‘Broadstairs, Kent’ for the sequence.
But the death of Mr Macgregor, who himself finished seventh in the marathon at the 1972 Munich Olympics, has brought back memories of his role in bringing together athletic extras who were tasked with running repeatedly along the beach as filming took place.
Mr Macgregor was approached by journalist Sandy Sutherland in late 1979 and tasked with assembling a team of extras from the St Andrews University Cross Country and Athletics Team and Fife Athletics Club – although the Madras College teacher declined to take part himself as he was reluctant to take a day off work.
Former athlete and retired teacher Clive Smith, 67, of Huntly, who was a member of the St Andrews University Cross Country and Athletics Team at the time, got in touch with The Courier to express sadness at Mr Macgregor’s passing, as reported last week.
However, he also revealed that Mr Macgregor was a “great inspiration” to all those who had the honour of training with him.
“His style and stamina bore the hallmarks of a force of nature,” he said.
“Always laughing and cracking jokes as he set the pace.”
“Without Don there would have never been what became the opening scene of the Chariots of Fire because it was through him that those members of the St Andrews University Cross Country and Athletics team became hired for the two day shooting of this film.
“He could not take part on those days as he was required to teach.
“Nevertheless, his influence was still present in that famous scene as the athletes he rounded up were the very ones who had trained with him and had been inspired by his outstanding example.”