Chariots of Fire runners to get under starters orders in June

The date for the Chariots of Fire race, recreating the iconic images of Eric Liddell and fellow students running along West Sands beach, has been announced as June 4.

The West Sands was used to portray Broadstairs in one of the legendary Oscar-winning film’s best known scenes when athletes were seen running barefoot on the beach to Vangelis’s famous score.

It is set to be the biggest and best yet, organisers said, with hundreds of competitors expected to sign up to run what has become one of Scotland’s most popular 5km races.

Early bird places will be available through the race’s website www.runthedream.co.uk in early January.

The race raises thousands of pounds for St Andrews charity Worldwide Cancer Research.

Helen Jackson from the charity said: “We’re so excited to be partnering with Chariots for the fourth year running. As a charity founded and still based in St Andrews, it’s great to be involved with such a fantastic local community event that brings so many people together.

“Every runner will be helping to raise more money for research looking for the answers to cancer, a disease which affects us all.”

Race director Ben McLeod said: “Chariots 2016 was our biggest race to date and we were thrilled to welcome so many enthusiastic runners to West Sands last June.

“Plans for Chariots 2017 are afoot and we can’t wait to share them with you all over the coming months.

“We anticipate next year’s race will be the best yet.”

To get updates, like the Chariots Facebook page www.facebook.com/ChariotsofFireBeachRace/.