Warriors and Other Runners

What happens when you bring 2,000 runners together to race eight kilometers while dressed in kilts? You have the makings of the worlds largest kilt run.

Two centuries ago, the town of Perth was settled by disbanded soldiers and the economic refugees of Scotland when the textile factories shut down after the Napoleonic Wars. Today it takes great pride in its Scottish Heritage.

They take great pride in the run too.

There's face painting so even the youngest runners can take to the road in woad.

The kids have races of their own.

Even the dogs get into the spirit.

Before the race, there was lots of musical entertainment...

Including pipe bands, of course.

There was even a fiddler on the roof!

The Scottish Society of Ottawa comes out to help celebrate each year. This year, once again we were given a prime spot to set up our tent.

Many volunteers were on hand for the day.

And some of our volunteers were participants in the kilt run -- even Isobel, the Volunteer Coordinator.

We promoted the kilt skate at the kilt run. And we were very pleased when enthusiastic kilt skaters David and Joanne came by for a visit.

David and Joanne are also keen champions of the kilt run. In fact, it's conjectured that the icon that the run uses to promote the event is based on an image of David running..

Before the race begins, the runners parade through the town.

The opening ceremonies completed, the race began.

This year, the course ran for 8 kilometers, weaving over and around the Tay River.

As a special feature of the kilt run, David has organized the "Warrior Class" -- in which kilted runners must also carry a wooden shield and wooden sword while they race.

Thirty men and thirty women registered in the Warrior race. It includes not only an 8-kilometer run, but a special competition -- the "Warrior Challenge."