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 would be limited to around 1500 runners. In late winter we could see the numbers filling up so we signed up.

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 father, 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:

If this doesn't sum up how to I run
races, nothing does