Supermarket workers in Wales have filmed their own version of the iconic beach running title sequence from Chariots of Fire, to mark their participation in this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon, 17th October 2010.

In the four minute film, twenty five staff and children from Welsh family owned Filco supermarkets are shown training at Rest Bay in Porthcawl paying tribute to the 1981 Oscar-winning film, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.

In total over 80 of the supermarket’s staff will be running in the Cardiff half marathon in support of Cardiff-based charity Tros Gynnal which helps vulnerable children and young people throughout Wales.

Entitled ‘Chariots of Filco,’ the film features a specially written poem ‘Keep on Going for Gold’ voiced by the runners themselves, aimed at inspiring athletes to endure their tough training regimes in pursuit of their dreams.

Matt Hunt, Director of Filco who plays the part of Aubrey Montague, the first runner seen in the film, said: “The film is all about showing ordinary people, of all shapes and sizes, doing our bit for charity. We hope it inspires everyone who trains no matter what their sport, as we look forward to the 2012 London Olympics.

We will be sending a link to Lord Sebastian Coe and of course the Welsh team at the Commonwealth Games.  Of course, we hope people will also feel motivated to donate to this very important charity for Wales.”

Roger Bishop, head of Tros Gynnal, who commissioned the poem by Peter Acton said: “We thought, what better way to commemorate the Cardiff Half Marathon and indeed all charity sporting events, than with one the most iconic running sequences of them all!  I am so pleased that the poem also sends a powerful message to the children and young people we support, not least in the verse:- 

“When your days are derailed, salty tears burn your face
When all that you own is taken or sold
Have faith to ask others for help in life’s race
Keep on going for Gold”

“This really is a film about how people put themselves on the line to help others, and I find it very heart-warming.”

As well as adults running along the rain-swept beach on a stormy day, the film shows children replicating some of the sprinting scenes of the film.

Kishan Mujumdar aged 12 of Cardiff said: “It was great, although the weather was really bad, it felt like we were making a real film and we got to run around a lot.  It made me think of running in the next Olympics.” 

Chariots of Fire set around the 1924 Olympics and written by Colin Welland and directed by Hugh Hudson, won four Oscars in 1981, including Best Picture. It is ranked 19th in the British Film Institute’s list of Top 100 British films.  The film starred Ben Cross as Harold Abrahams, the late Ian Charleson as Eric Liddell, and Nigel Havers as Lord Andrew Lindsay.

The famous beach scenes were filmed at West Sands, St Andrews.  In the Filco version, ‘The Rest hotel’ at Porthcawl plays the part of the St Andrews Golf Club.
The part made famous by actor Ian Holm as trainer Sam Mussabini is played by Sebastian Morgan-Clare of Tros Gynnal.

The remake can be viewed at   :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txCPvBlH_H4