In pictures: Rain is no match for Chariots of Fire

Rain couldn’t wipe the smiles off the faces of the many runners who took part in this year’s Chariots of Fire relay race on Sunday, 22 September, which took place amid a deluge.

HCR Hewitsons Charity teamed up with race specialists RunThrough to deliver this year’s event, which was held in aid of the Magpas Air Ambulance charity.

The organisers are aiming to help Magpas raise a massive £100,000 to support its vital services. To date, Chariots of Fire has raised more than £1.5million for local charities.

Ruth Beck, Magpas Air Ambulance’s corporate, community and events fundraising manager, said: “The Chariots of Fire race on Sunday was a roaring success.

“The atmosphere on the day was electric, testament to the fun and excitement all the teams and supporters brought on the day – even the torrential rain couldn’t dampen our spirits!

“It was great to see our own Magpas Air Ambulance team running on the day too. Made up of doctors, critical care paramedics, and aircrewmen – and even a former patient, Ely-based Allistair Berry, who had a cardiac arrest last year.

“Thanks to everyone’s incredible support, the total currently stands at £35,400, with more still to be counted.

“This enormous sum will help Magpas Air Ambulance continue to provide vital medical care to patients across Cambridgeshire and beyond, saving lives and keeping families together 24/7.”

The winning team in the men’s event was The Glassworks Health Club, while Snowdon Squad came first in the women’s event.

The mixed race was won by Six on the Beach, and in the veteran male category, AstraZeneca 2 took first place.

In the veteran female race, it was Six in the City who finished in first place, while in the veteran mixed category, it was Michael Gaunt Limited who took the prize.

The super vet race was won by Ely 360 Plus, and the first college team back was Derek Scott’s team.

Chariots of Fire is a closed road relay around Cambridge city centre and through some of the University of Cambridge colleges.

The route starts and finishes on Queens’ Green, and follows an approximately 1.7-mile route.

The first Chariots of Fire charity race took place in 1992 and was the initial idea of Bill Matthews, race director for many years, who joined the committee of a local charity and was looking for fundraising ideas.

Watching the famous film rekindled memories of an earlier trip to Olympia in the Peloponnese and he came up with the idea of a local charity fundraising race in the vein of the Chariots of Fire film.