It's the annual event you won't want to miss. For the sporty amongst you the Chariots of Fire Relay is a great opportunity to don your running shoes, put on your short shorts and race around the courtyards and colleges of Cambridge a la Eric Liddell - or one of those other famous chappies featured in David Puttnam's blockbuster film.
 | | Could you beat these guys? |
For the rest of us lazy mortals, it's a great fun way to spend a Sunday, and there's absolutely nothing to stop you standing on the sidelines and humming that famous theme tune as the men and women with wings on their plimsolls fly past... Altogether now, 'la, la, la, la, la, laaaahhhh...' The race was initially created by two local firms – Hewitsons Solicitors and Accountants, and business advisers RSM Robson Rhodes LLP – and both firms have continued to sponsor and support the race ever since. | "Its success in raising money for charity shows just how much can be achieved by the region's business community when it gets behind an event." | | John Golding, RSM Robson Rhodes (joint race sponsor with Hewitsons) |
Money raised from this year's event will go towards the purchase of a 3-D Echocardiogram machine for the Papworth Hospital Heart Failure Centre. The new equipment will help improve the lives of cardiac patients and will make the job of the cardiac team much easier when treating and diagnosing patients. It will also play a vital role in research into heart disease and will benefit future Papworth patients and heart disease sufferers nationwide. Last year more than 400 teams took part and raised over £90,000 for the chosen charity – Cambridge Breast Unit. This year's race takes place on Sunday 19th September at 9.30am, starting from Queens' Green, The Backs. The route covers a 1.7 mile circuit past the colleges, over the Cam and around The Backs. The baton is then passed to the next member of the team.
 | | David Puttnam starts the 2003 race |
Teams will compete for the Sir Arthur Marshall Trophy, in celebration of the race's honorary president, himself a veteran of the 1924 Olympic team. It was the exploits of Marshall's Olympic team mates Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams that inspired the famous 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire. As well as the main trophy, there will also be prizes for the fastest female, mixed, college and veteran teams. You have until 10th September to enter your team if you want to take part in this year's Chariots of Fire race. Each team consists of six runners (aged 16 and over), each of whom will cover 1.7 miles. For details of how to enter, telephone 01799 522471. So, even if you can't be bothered with all that running lark, be sure to come along and sing to those brave boys and girls as they tear around the most famous race course in the history of the world... well, probably... | 
