2025 Perth (Ontario) Kilt Race

Six years ago we crossed the Canadian border to participate in a 5-mile kilt race. The year was 2019. Three years earlier, after a couple of false starts, they broke the record for the world's biggest kilt race. They encouraged similar races in Scotland, and in the Down Under Perth (Australia). The organizers were tired and swore that was their last event.

In 2020 and 2021 organizers created a virtual version, which I'm sure was less of a logistical nightmare than the in person event. We were pleased when we received an email saying the race was on for 2025. New date, this time in late-June instead of mid-August. They were no longer offering to sell kilts (but gave information on how to order one). They eliminated the warrior portion. There were also some other small changes, but basically they were back.

Registration was first limited to 1040 runners (to celebrate the beginning of MacBeth's kingship). It was expanded to 1057 to mark the end of his reign. Then the town made a royal decree to expand the race to 1547 runners (in honor of the birth of Lord Darney). In late winter we could see the numbers filling up so we signed up in the initial 1040 and booked our hotel in Smiths Falls, about a 20 minute ride from Perth.

Before the start of the race, there was a one mile race. I'm wishing we signed up
for that as it finished with plenty of time to turn around and go another five miles. Plus it included an additional two medals -- one for doing the race, and another for doing the two.

We lined up across the start to see the darling wee ones race. The two to four year olds went around the block with a parent, followed by the five to seven year old whose course was slightly longer. It was all good.

While hanging out at the pre-races we started talking to a woman a little older than us and her adult daughter and son-in-law. They were cheering on their patriarch, also named Don, who was doing the two-race challenge. Three years ago Don, an army vet, had a heart attack. His goals for recovery included the army half-marathon and this kilt race. They recently moved to Perth and upon learning about the race he wanted to run it, but had to wait for it to return. He has successfully run the army race.

The chance meeting turned into joy when later in the race we passed Don on the course. A few minutes later we heard: "Hey, Jersey!" and saw his family. We told them he was a few minutes behind us. Though in a foreign country, I felt like a local for those few moments.

The race starts with a half-mile bagpipe led walk around the block. More for
atmosphere than anything else. At each kilometer on the five mile course (that would be eight) a bagpiper cheered us on. Near each mile marker was a water station and enthusiastic volunteers. Though the event felt like a local race, we never once felt like outsiders. After the race an apology email was sent out. They ran out of medals! A few days later they found a misplaced box. Locals were encouraged to pick theirs up in person. Those that "came from away" were told to email them and they'll mail it. We were fine, but the expression came from away showed me that is a real Canadian expression, not just the name of a Broadway hit.

The friendliness really stood out to me. As a 95-woman crossed the finish line after the one mile race the cheers were just as large as they had been for the first place winners fifteen or twenty minutes earlier.

Likewise the final runner for the five mile route was accompanied by a bagpiper sitting in the back of an open hatchback playing her to the finish line. It is rare to see such a fun show of support.

As we ate our post-race dinner at Maximillian's (the same place we ate at in 2019) we shared the balcony with the bagpiper from the sixth kilometer. As I had taken pictures of each one, I shared my picture with him and his wife.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Saw lots of pro-Canada signs.
These men were part of group of four
wearing matching maple leaf shirts.
The tams are the icing on the image.

Local legends

One of the race organizers
whipped off his fancy jacket
and joined the one mile race after
it started.

Just hitched .. celebrating with a race

Hear ye, hear ye!

That's a lot of kilts!

When I saw them I told myself I wanted to beat them.
I didn't. Even carrying a wee one, they were still
much faster than me!

"Run your kilt off"

The second person to pass us slow runners.
It was not an out and back race,
but still humbling to be barely
halfway through when someone 
else was nearing the finish line.

Great viewing spot!

Someone offered to take my
picture with a bagpiper. Sure!

A classic race sign

Fire department came to cool us off.
Thankful the rain held off.

Beating the "faster" beat.

Had dinner after the race
with him and his wife.

A string band on the route, too.

"You're kilting it!"

Well...mostly, but a sign in front of a
church wouldn't lie, right?

Even though it wasn't the theme,
he looked great and I wanted a picture of him.

Asked a runner to pause to take a picture
of us by the banner. Back of the packers
are a different kind of runner.

Smile for the camera.
Almost at the finish line.

This is how I look through much of a race.

We did it!