Trinity's 'Chariot of Fires' 2026 winners Elizabeth Comerford and Jack Beary

Twenty-eight runners took part in the newly revived Dublin University Harriers and Athletics Club (DUHAC) 'Chariots of Fire' dash around Front Square in Trinity College Dublin earlier today, Wednesday 1 April.

The fastest women's and men's times in the event, run for the first time since 2019, were:

  • Elizabeth Comerford 42.22
  • Jack Beary 36.04

The ‘Chariots of Fire’ college dash was established during Trinity Week in 1983.  Liam Lysaght (Harriers Captain 1983-84) and Peter Campbell (Athletics Captain 1983-84), both of whom were DUHAC committee members in 1982–83, had the idea for the race around Front Square inspired by the popular 1981 movie ‘Chariots of Fire’.  The first race was contested by men only with women first taking part in the mid-1980s.

The ‘Chariots of Fire’ college dash takes place in the Front Square area of the College with competitors starting either side of the central doorway at House 24 of the Rubrics (shown right), started by a shot from a starting pistol before running up the central path of Library Square and under the Campanile.  Competitors then split to run each side of Parliament Square across the square setts (smooth cobbles) with sides drawn by lot.  Competitors meet again at Front Arch, Regent House, proceeding up the central path from Regent House across Parliament Square to the finish line at the Campanile.  The race is hand timed.

Two runners waiting to start the 2026 'Chariots of Fire' run at Trinity with their back foot against a Ruebrick door

Two runners participating in the 2026 'Chariots of Fire' around Trinity's Front Square

The full list of participants for the 2026 'Chariots of Fire' dash at Trinity College Dublin were:

Women Men
Lily Scanlan Jack Beary
Rebecca Schmidt Jeremiah Duru
Elizabeth Comerford Ruairi German
Kate Currie Leigh O’Brien
Molly Mullan Haslam Lukas Fisher
  David Duffy
  Jack O'Connell
  Robbie O’Connell
  Henry Alabi
  Ryan Sheridan
  Oscar Rowe
  Andrew Darcy
  Tadhg Galvin
  Alex Storer
  Owen Whelan
  William Mac Donald Hughes
  Daire Donohoe
  Cillian Hayes
  Ed Nicholson
  Tor Joergensen
  Owen Fay
  Samuel Regan
  Quinn Rinden

The 'Chariots of Fire' event is one of two races revived by DUHAC in 2026.  The College Park Classic, a revival of a grass racing competition on the College Park track which used to take place in the 1960s, will be taking place on Saturday 2 May 2026.  The event will also include the Trinity vs UCD Colours internally in the event.

Further information

@duhac_ on Instagram

DUHAC sports club webpage

DUHAC committee at the 2026 Trinity Chariots of Fire dash

DUHAC committee at the 2026 Trinity Chariots of Fire dash.