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Kilted runners will set record

Posted Mar 11, 2010 By Chris Must

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EMC Events - Perth runners are well on their way to getting a mention in the Guinness Book of Records.

Perth's World Record Kilt Run, set for June 26, appears to have fired the imagination of runners throughout the area, with 1,146 registered for the five-mile (eight-kilometre) run at last count. The current world record for the most runners to wear kilts in a single race was set by just 250 participants, organizer Terry Stewart told town council March 2, "so we're in good shape." Confirmation that the Guinness Book of Records will recognize Perth's attempt to set the new record has been received.

Stewart and fellow committee member Dave Eggleton provided councillors at a March 2 meeting of Committee of the Whole with an update on plans for the event, which will also serve as a local celebration of the 800th anniversary of sister city Perth, Scotland. The committee is also seeking council approval for some temporary road closures on race day.

Stewart said the committee achieved its original goal of 500 race participants within 16 days. "We tried to stop at 800 but weren't successful," he added. Stewart said he is still receiving emails from people begging to be part of the event, and could certainly exceed 2,000. The runners - who will each receive a kilt in their choice of size and colour, and be required to wear it - will include Mayor John Fenik and several members of town council. The committee has traveled to local races in Richmond, Burlington, Peterborough, and Brockville to promote the kilt run, but no further promotion is needed.

Stewart said the proposed race route is being promoted as the "best five miles in the world." The committee is proposing "a route which is safe and highlights and promotes the town of Perth and its best features." The race is planned to start at 6 p.m. June 26 from beside the town hall, following a loop through the downtown and then through the Perth Golf Course, the oldest in North America. This, said Stewart, will be "absolutely gorgeous running." He requested council approval for the route.

The mayor said he was looking forward to taking a CD of the event over to Perth, Scotland this summer to show organizers of the celebrations taking place there. Fenik also noted that the run committee has been invited to become a committee of the town, in part to take advantage of the town's liability insurance. Stewart said the committee is considering the invitation, but does have insurance through its charity of choice, the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Although the run committee is asking to have Drummond Street closed during the race, Stewart said the closure would only have to last for a few minutes. Council's Committee of the Whole approved a motion directing staff to bring back a report on the requested road closure to its next meeting, March 9. Director of Community Services Shellee Evans said the report will include a complete overview of details needing to be looked after, including items such as barricades and portable toilets.