Chariots of Fire

Wed, Dec 10th 2025 at 12:40 pm - 2:30 pm

President Colin did an online interview with Ben McLeod, on the history and updates on this now iconic Beach Race on the West Sands which has raised huge funds for charities. Ben was presented with the St Andrews Rotary "Non-Rotarian Citizen of the Year

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This week’s meeting was an important one in the Rotary calendar when the Club presents its ‘Citizen of the Year’ award to someone who has made a conspicuous contribution to St Andrews over an extended period. On this occasion the Club decided to award this accolade to Ben McLeod who established the now famous Chariots of Fire Race in 2011and who has committed himself to the event ever since. While Ben now works as a schoolmaster at Pangbourne College in Berkshire, he nonetheless continues to be responsible for running and developing the race. As a result of his remarkable initiative back in 2011 while he was working in St Andrews, Ben has developed the race into an iconic event where entry places are much sought after. On a Sunday in late May/early June the West Sands is transformed into a scene from the Chariots of Fire film -athletes clad in white tee shirts and shorts, the Chariots of Fire theme tune sounding across the sands, feet softly running along the length of the beach, all replicating scenes we all know so well. Since the first race in 2011 significant funds have been raised for charity, around £10,000 being given to good causes each year, among them Maggies, Sue Ryder, Worldwide Cancer Research, RNLI and others have benefited from the ongoing success of Ben’s efforts. While Ben was not able to be with the Club in St Andrews he was nonetheless presented with his award at Pangbourne College by a colleague, and members enjoyed a question and answer session with Ben and member Colin Brown via Zoom. This was particularly appropriate given Colin’s early suggestion in about 2011 that Rotary might be involved in helping assist Ben in organising the race - a connection that continues today. Colin Mitchell gave the vote of thanks in which he acknowledged Ben’s inspiration, enthusiasm and commitment to the St Andrews community.