50 pictures of runners enjoying Chariots of Fire 2021 in Cambridge - despite that grenade incident

Runners raised thousands of pounds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance as the Chariots of Fire relay race took place in Cambridge on Sunday morning amid some unexpected drama.

A magnet fisherman found a grenade in the River Cam during the race, forcing Trinity College to close its gates and the route to be adjusted mid-run.

The runners were instead sent up and down Garret Hostel Lane, cutting off the section of the 1.7-mile route that was due to go through the University of Cambridge college.

As runners continued their relay, a bomb disposal unit was called and disposed of the grenade, confirming it was a First World War training grenade.

Double amputee and former EAAA patient Shaun Whiter had officially started the race at 9.30am.

The race, which was first run in 1992 but was interrupted by the pandemic last year, began and ended on Queens’ Green, where runners in teams of six handed over the baton to their teammates.

But runners in the East Anglian Air Ambulance team handed over a defibrillator instead - a symbol of how the money raised will be used to fund a £97,500 project for the charity to provide more CPR and defibrillator training.

The run, organised by HCR Hewitsons Charitable Trust, has raised £1.48milion in its 29-year history.

There were cups handed out at the end for the fastest teams in various categories, along with the team that won the biggest support from the crowd.

We’ll have a special picture supplement in the Cambridge Independent this week, out on Wednesday, including presentation and team photos, along with more action shots.

Images are also available to purchase here.

Read more

Chariots of Fire relay race in Cambridge rerouted mid-run after suspected grenade is pulled out of the River Cam

Chariots of Fire 2021: Our (almost) essential guide to the Cambridge charity relay race

Don’t our special coverage in the Cambridge Independent, with more pictures, teams shots and presentations, out on September 22

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