28/05/2026
📣📣📣 Advance notice/FAQs 📣📣📣
With the event officially closed online, we have now sent the entrant data to the race timers at Blast Running to prepare for Sunday.
We will send out the final race instructions later on this evening (Wednesday 27th May). In case of invalid email addresses, these instructions will also be pinned here for easy reference. If you have previously changed entrant details you may need to forward them to the relevant person.
In anticipation, some of the FAQs we regularly receive are listed below. A quick look at our page, your race receipt from when you signed up, or the event page on Entrycentral should answer most questions beyond these:
Q: I haven’t received my race number/t shirt etc.
A: That’s right - we give them to you on the day when you register.
Q: I didn’t buy a t shirt - can I?
A: We have a limited stock available for purchase on the day for those who didn’t order one when they signed up, including children’s sizes. They cost £13.95. Contactless payment available.
Q: Where do kids sign up?
A: The kids race is on the day sign up only - £5 - the sign up desk will be alongside those for the senior race. Aim to get there before 11 - the queues get long and we need you all down on the beach in time for the start at 11.30! Post race they get to enjoy a Jannettas Gelateria ice cream! 🍦
Q: I missed the sign up in January- are there any on-the-day entries?
A: Sorry to be blunt, but no. All 800 places have been taken, and the team now needs to focus upon delivering a stellar event. Entries for 2027 will go live in January
Q: When does everything happen again?
A: Sunday 31st May. The timings are the same as every year -
0930 Registration opens
1130 Kids’ Race starts/5km registration closes
1200 Chariots Beach Race starts
1300 Cut off for finishers
1315 Prizegiving
Q: Where do I come to register/run?
A: Registration is on the grassed area adjacent to Dook, St Andrews Beach Wheelchairs, Blown Away and Wild Scottish Sauna. You can’t miss us. Likewise, the beach and our start/finish area will be very visible, next to the RNLI Lifeguards Scotland tower.
Q: Where can I park?
A: Parking (free) is on West Sands Road. Please respect the parking marshals from The Rotary Club of St Andrews who do an amazing job fitting you all in. It’s a busy place, and we aren’t the only show in town, so your help and cooperation is appreciated.
Q: I don’t drink (or am underage)/am vegan/coeliac/dairy free - will I still get a drink/doughnut?
A: Yes, we’ve got you covered. AF/GF beer, soft drinks and Fisher & Donaldson treats await.
Q: Is there water on the course for runners?
A: No. we keep a limited supply for medical purposes, please bring your own if you think you will need some to complete the run.
Q: Chip time/gun time - what’s that all about?
A: Your GUN time records how long it takes you to get to the finish line, from the start of the race itself. All places and category prizes are based on this. Your CHIP time records from when your foot crosses the start line, until when your foot crosses the finish line.
Q: Category prizes, you say? Pray, tell me more?
A: It's not really about the winning here, even if we do have a prizegiving and trophies. It is nice, nonetheless, to get recognition for those of us who 'do not go gentle into that good night', and those of you who 'rage against the dying of the light'. We award the first V40, V50, V60, V70 and V80, Male and Female. We'll drink it ourselves if it's not claimed on the day - stay awhile and celebrate with everyone else!
Q: That VangALEis is very moreish, where can I get my hands on more?
A: It is, isn't it?! We have brewed a little extra, which is available in return for a donation - we are NOT an alcohol vendor. Come find us after prizegiving and we may be able to sort you out with some for the fridge at home.
Q: Can I run with my dog?
A: Ok, so yes, but the dog must be on a leash and you will need to start from the back of the field where things are less congested. It's a lot of folk to have run through the start/finish and we don't want Neuk First Responders called into action before you have crossed the start line! Further down the beach it opens up, not to mention the general public may well have dogs about, so it's less of a concern there, but as with everything in life, if we are all considerate to the needs of others, there'll be no bother. Sorry to say, however, that the dog won't get a medal, nor a VangALEis. Treat them to a post-run doggie ice cream from instead!
Ok, hope that addresses the main questions - all this and more will be included in the email you will receive in the next couple of hours. Whilst we aim to respond personally to every message we receive, as we near race day it becomes much harder with everything going on, so don’t worry - it’s not you, it’s us!
4 sleeps.
(Photo credit: The Courier)
