Hundreds of runners took part yesterday in the Chariots of Fire race at St Andrews’ West Sands, re-creating the famous opening scene from the 1981 film.

Beach race recreates classic film scene and raises funds for RNLI and local good causes

A record number of people took part in a recreation of one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history yesterday.

Hundreds of runners resplendent in white T-shirts took to St Andrews’ famous West Sands for the annual Chariots of Fire beach race.

Now in its ninth year, the extravaganza reflects the opening scene from the 1981 movie, which shows a parade of young men jogging through sand and surf in slow motion.

The start and finish of yesterday’s event was even accompanied by Vangelis’ iconic theme music.

The adult 5k race saw runners, many of them barefoot, take off along the long straight sands for 2.5km before turning and sprinting back to the finish line.

A piper accompanied them at the turn to keep spirits up.

Children aged 11 and under took part in a one-mile run and were rewarded with a medal and ice cream.

All proceeds from the event will go to the RNLI and to local charities, Families First St Andrews and Home Start North East Fife.

The prizes and post-race goodies were supplied free of charge by local businesses keen to support the fundraiser.

Organisers said this year’s race sold out in record time with people from all over the world taking part.

In a statement, they said: “Thank you folks, your enthusiasm for this whimsical little race is what makes it so special and your support is what has allowed it to grow into the event it has become.

“More thanks will follow in the coming days but for now rest up, reflect on your achievements and thank you for coming.”

Chariots of Fire tells the true story of two young men training for the 1924 Paris Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice.

Madam, – Whilst walking around the nature trail of Camperdown with my dog, I was disappointed at the amount of detritus left behind, not just by dog walkers but others.

Dog walkers seem to think it is alright to let their dogs lag behind them – that way they don’t see them fouling so can just ignore it.

Then there are those who just don’t bother and the really weird group who pick up their dogs mess then either drop it at their side, hide it behind a tree, or just throw it into the bushes.

The dumbest bunch are those who pick it up, tie the bag and then drop it right next to a bin.

Next of course are the litter louts who just throw away their empty tins and discard their packets, making no attempt whatsoever to clean up after themselves.

This includes several wooded areas of the golf course, so it’s not all down to walkers and dog users.

Then we have the parents who discard used nappies and other items in bushes, what sort of message is this sending?

I hope after this year’s Race for Life stewards will walk the course and collect all the discarded paper, participants’ numbers, bottles, wrappers etc. that were just left lying around the nature trail last year.

And now we have the fly-tippers who use the car parks as their private garden rubbish tips.

They simply reverse their cars then tip the contents of their gardens out at the rear.

One person even dragged a settee and computer chair up the path and through the bushes to dump it when it would have been easier to take it to the local refuse collection point. What idiots.

This does not excuse the selfish inconsiderate dumpers, but there is one thing the parks department could do.

If you use the north entrance on Coupar Angus Road there are five bins within 500 yards of the car park then none whatsoever until you are nearly half the way down the Liff road side of the trail.

Cover is very sparse for the rest of the route around the park, so a few more bins may help.

Maybe a few discrete cameras hidden to observe the car parks and trails would discourage these lazy people. Alastair W. McLean. Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

Pictures: Rick Booth. Chariots of Fire junior race winner Alex McNeilly.

Above, a youngster in the junior race. Right: Elliot Crumb, 4, from Crail, with Kenny Brown.

Action from the senior race on the West Sands and two of the runners congratulate each other.

Some of the young runners sprint along the sands in the junior race.