Chariots of Fire race officially launched for 2024 to support local charity Magpas Air Ambulance

On 11 April, HCR Hewitsons, Magpas Air Ambulance and RunThrough officially launched the 2024 Chariots of Fire Race.

With a celebratory gathering at HCR Hewitsons in Cambridge, the evening marked the official launch of this year’s Chariots of Fire event, taking place on Sunday, 22 September 2024, on Queens’ Green in Cambridge.

The reception welcomed esteemed guests, including notable figures such as the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood, and her consort, along with Chariots of Fire founders, Bill Matthews and Jeremy Francis.

Also in attendance were Partners and HCR Hewitsons Charity Trustees Inger Anson, Colin Jones and Adam Finch. Lucy Chapman, Director of Fundraising at Magpas Air Ambulance, and Daryl Brown, CEO of Magpas Air Ambulance, joined the gathering, along with staff and supporters.

HCR Hewitsons has been running this popular relay for over 30 years, raising over £1.5million for charity. Runners will weave through the historic city centre and iconic University colleges, with each relay team member completing one loop of the 2 mile course before circling back.

RunThrough, the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest-growing running events company, will organise this year’s race, continuing the legacy of the 31st Race of Chariots of Fire, founded in 1991.

All proceeds from the event will be dedicated to Magpas Air Ambulance, the official charity for this year’s Chariots of Fire. Magpas Air Ambulance provides lifesaving hospital-level healthcare to accidents and critical situations across the region, operating 24/7. The charity aims to raise £100,000 to support the continuation of its vital services.

Magpas Air Ambulance Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Lucy Chapman commented, “Magpas Air Ambulance is excited to be the beneficiary charity of the iconic Chariots of Fire race through the heart of Cambridge for September 2024. Having cared for the population of Cambridgeshire for over 50 years, the money raised through the event will help us continue to pioneer pre-hospital emergency medicine in the region and save even more lives. It was fantastic to meet everyone involved at the launch event at HCR Hewitsons Cambridge offices on Thursday, and experience the shared passion to raise as much money as possible for our local lifesaving charity.”

Colin Jones, Partner at HCR Hewitsons said, “Chariots of Fire just keeps getting better and better each year. We’re as excited for this September’s event as we were for the first 30. The launch evening buzzed with team spirit and enthusiasm, and we have a strong feeling that this year’s fundraising for Magpas will be a great success.”

Rob Sullivan, Race Director at RunThrough commented, “We were delighted to attend such an inspiring launch event for Chariots of Fire. The turnout and enthusiasm from attendees, including esteemed guests and supporters, truly set the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary event. We’re excited to see the community come together in support of Magpas Air Ambulance and look forward to a memorable race day on September 22nd.”

The launch event featured speeches from Colin Jones, Daryl Brown, Madam Mayor, and Bill Matthews, highlighting the significance of the event and its charitable cause.

As preparations for the Chariots of Fire event get underway, HCR Hewitsons, Magpas Air Ambulance and RunThrough are united in their commitment to making this year’s race a memorable and impactful occasion for the Cambridge community. Registration for the event is open here. RunThrough invites runners of all abilities to join this spectacular relay and be a part of a memorable day in the heart of Cambridge.