Chariots of Fife

Academics from the University of St Andrews will swap their gowns for sportswear this weekend (Sunday 31 May) when they take part in the Edinburgh marathon.

The twelve academics and postgraduate students hope to raise over £1500 for the charity MS Scotland.

The running group, who call themselves the St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval and Very Old Things, will join 17,000 other runners taking part. Taking part as three relay teams, they will split the 26.2 miles between them into four legs.

The teams consist of one Professor, five PhDs, and six other St Andreans past and present, and includes members of University academic band Dry Island Buffalo Jump. Famous for its place in the classic opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, the group have been training for the event on the West Sands in St Andrews.

Historian John Hudson and the rest of his team first ran the marathon in aid of multiple sclerosis in 2008, after attending the birthday party of one of his former students who had been diagnosed with the disease.  MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults, and in Scotland it is estimated that there are 10,500 people with MS – more people per capita than anywhere else in the world.  All funds from the run will go towards treatment for and research into the disease.

Professor Hudson, who held a book auction late last month to raise extra funds, and the team have already exceeded their target of £1500.

He said, “To spend time with one of my liveliest and most cheerful students now barely mobile but still so bright and cheerful was a powerfully moving experience.  The work of MS Scotland supports the vital research and aid that combine with the bravery of those who are ill in fighting the disease.”

The three St Andrews mediaeval teams taking part will join over 1,000 relay teams taking part in this weekend’s event.

They are:

Team 1: ‘The Medievalists’ John Hudson Kimberley Knight [Captain] Tracey Horn Sally Crumplin

Team 2: ‘Dry Island Buffalo Jump’ Chris Jones [Captain] Simon McLean James Palmer  Peter Kushner

Team 3: ‘Medieval Fury’ Matthew McHaffie [Captain] Penny Bartlett Kenneth Duggan Kate Hammond

For further information and to pledge money to the team, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/medievalists  

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

IMAGES OF THE GROUP TRAINING `CHARIOTS OF FIRE’ STYLE ON THE WEST SANDS IN ST ANDREWS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]

Ref: Chariots of Fife 280509
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk