Cambridge City Charity Race on Fire - News - LIVING SPORT

Cambridge City Charity Race on Fire

More than 2,000 people braved the rain to take part in the 19th Chariots of Fire race on Sunday.

The competitors raced in teams of six and pounded the 1.7-mile scenic course through Cambridge’s streets and colleges in relay format, raising money for Wallace Cancer Care and leading family support organisation, Home Start.

Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders got the race under way.

Cambridge mayor Sheila Stuart made history when she laced up her trainers and became the first serving mayor of the city to take part in the annual competition.

Health club Glassworks retained their title for the fourth year in a row when they came first with an impressive time of 48 minutes. Cambridge Hare and Hounds pipped The Guilio team for second place by just six seconds with a finish time of 51 minutes. Cambridge law firm Hewitsons, sponsor of the event alongside the News, hailed this year as a huge success being the Overall Winners of the race.

The charity race was inspired by the film Chariots of Fire, which told the story of Cambridge University runner Harold Abrahams’ bid to win a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics. The film includes a famous race around Trinity College Great Court, a spot which features on the course for the race.

The john Lewis team, dressed in chefs’ whites and hats and carrying large baguettes around the course, retained their title as the most entertaining team when they won the People’s Cup for the second year running, narrowly beating the Museum of Zoology, who sprinted round dressed as insects.

The race which has raised more than £750,000 for charities since it was first held in 1992, brings together runners from a range of workplaces, colleges, organisations and sports clubs. Over the years, it has supported charities including the Sue Ryder Foundation, Barnardo’s, The Papworth Trust, Arthur Rank Hospice, the East Anglian Air Ambulance  and various clinics at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

An approximate of 330 teams entered Chariots of Fire. LIVING SPORT entered the race and came 89th of of 162 mixed teams, with a time of 1h, 19mins and 9 seconds.

For more details, results and quotes, please visit Cambridge News.

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