Ben McLeod will be pulling on his trainers on Sunday to take part in the Virgin London Marathon for the second time.
However, he has been inspired by possibly the most iconic movie running scenes of all time to stage his very own event.
Ben, area manager at House Restaurants, has been a keen runner since his first marathon in 2009, and The Fife AC member will join some 35,000 fellow athletes at the Bleackheath start line.
“In for a penny, in for a pound,” he said. “I tried to convince myself that running was a fad I’d drop as soon as I crossed the finish line in 2009, but it seems to have taken a hold over me and I’m going back for more punishment this weekend.
“Training with Fife AC in Cupar and St Andrews has been a great way to keep me in some semblance of fitness and hopefully will see me around the course safe and well on Sunday.”
While training earlier this year on the West Sands in St Andrews he could not help but recall the famous scenes from Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.
His thoughts have since snowballed and he is now just a month away from hosting his own 5k race on the West Sands Chariots 2011 on May 15. He has also managed to persuade the New Picture House cinema to screen the film on the week of the race.
“St Andrews deserves an event that celebrates this famous past and the stunning beach so many of us take for granted.
“I’ve been delighted with and overwhelmed by the support shown by so many in the town.”
He said businesses had been very keen to help, including Janetta’s, which is providing free ice cream for every competitor, Helios Internet Systems and Chris MacKenzie photography.
“With a beach clean the same afternoon I really hope this becomes an event the town can call its own,” he said.
With other businesses involved, including Bonkers, Fisher and Donaldson, the Fairmont, The Old Course, and shirt sponsors House Restaurants, and with help and support from various areas of the university he said he was happy to be able to call this a truly town-gown event.
The race has been organised to help raise money for national health care charity Sue Ryder.
Their local fund-raiser Jo Stevenson said, “We’re really excited to be part of this event, Ben has been a supporter of ours for many years and it is great to see him bring the community together for such an occasion and the funds raised will help us to continue providing support.”