Heriot torch relay to celebrate village's links with Olympics
Ally McGilvray • Published 14 Aug 2012 09:30
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A SPECIAL torch relay is being held in the Borders this week to celebrate the region's links with the biggest sporting event in the world.
Walkers, runners, cyclists, and even horse riders are expected to take part in the parade in Heriot on Thursday night (August 16) to mark the Olympic year.
It will start at Carcant House, the home of the family of legendary Scottish athlete Eric Liddell who spent many holidays in the village.
He famously won a gold medal and set a world record for the 400 metres at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
Local residents are being invited to design their own torches for the relay which is being organised by the Heriot sports committee ahead of the village's annual sports day on Saturday, August 18.
Anyone interested in taking part should meet at the Macfie Hall in Heriot on Thursday at 6.30pm
Local resident Felix Otton told the Border Telegraph: "Heriot has held an annual village sports day for many years. In recent years the sports have been extended to include a fun run the weekend before, and a home-made bogey competition and race.
"To mark the Olympic year, the Heriot Sports Committee decided to run its own local torch relay on Thursday, August 16.
"It will start at Carcant House, the home of the family of legendary Scottish athlete and rugby international Eric Liddell of "Chariots of Fire" fame, where he spent many holidays.
"Eric Liddell famously won a gold medal and set a world record for the 400 metres at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, having withdrawn from the 100 metres because he refused to run on a Sunday because of his strong religious faith.
"The torch relay will progress from Carcant along the B709 to the Macfie Hall where the Heriot sports day will take place on Saturday, August 18.
"The relay will be a community event including everyone who wishes to run, and will not just be about runners - we are also expecting walkers, cyclists, horseriders - and possibly other modes of transport we haven't yet guessed!
"Anyone wanting to take part in the relay should meet at the Macfie Hall in Heriot at 6.30pm on Thursday, August 16."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 14 Aug 12
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