Perth: if you can skate in 30 below, try running in 30 above!
What a weekend for the annual World Record Kilt Run in Perth Ontario. By early afternoon, the temperatures had climbed to over 30 degrees Celsius, but that didn't prevent some 4000 kilted runners from gathering on Gore Street in the Eastern Ontario town that boasts one of the best preserved historical main streets in the country.
And they're off!
The festival lasted all weekend, with music and food and Medieval military demonstrations, with five mile and half-marathons on Saturday, and a full marathon the following morning.
The starting line, 6 pm when the temperatures begin to drop.
We haven't heard the official count yet for the number of runners who made "the Royal Mile" to keep the Perth kilt race in the Guinness Book of World Records, but the bib numbers were approaching 4000 and we're confident that the organizers, the Running Goat club, have once again surpassed the expectations.
All day, the Scottish Society of Ottawa hosted an information booth.
The Scottish Society of Ottawa was on hand to promote our upcoming events, which includes both our Hogmannay Celebration to ring in the New Year and Canada's 150th birthday, as well as the kilt skate -- the date of which will be announced shortly.
Dave Masson convinces a kilt runner to take up kilt skating.
Dave Masson found the perfect ice-breaker to start a conversation with people wandering past our booth in Stewart Park: "Hey, you're brave enough to run in this heat. Are you up to skating in your kilt when it's 30 below?"
Races are held for kilted runners of all ages.
Stewart Park is a sylvan setting...
...where crowds gather for food and entertainment.
Someone who both runs in 30 above and skates in 30 below: Brian Lee Crowley of the Macdonald Laurier Institute shows the card with his kilt-skate picture.
Before the race begins, a pipe band leads a procession of racers through the streets of Perth, Ontario.
Hot, muggy weather does wilt the enthusiasm of kilt runners.
A Scottish giant urges the runners on.
As if running in 30 degree heat wearing a woolen kilt isn't enough, some runners do it carrying Highland weaponry.
Highland warriors of both genders.
The finish line.