Running the Race

His eyes were on the prize. For Eric Liddell, there was only one race to run and only one glory to gain: the glory of God.

The name Eric Liddell is a familiar one to many, having gained much fame through the film Chariots of Fire. A Christian athlete and missionary, his passion for his Saviour could be seen throughout his life. 

As a sport historian and an advisor for the Chariots of Fire movie, John Keddie is well qualified to document Eric Liddell’s life. With an impressive depth of understanding, Keddie’s biography spans his university days in Edinburgh, sporting achievements at the Paris Olympics, mission in China and internment at Weihsien POW Camp.

In this engaging account of this man’s extraordinary journey,Keddie takes readers beyond the heart of sport to the heart of life.

“There are many reasons to read this gripping biography. Eric Liddell was a man of immense ability and profound conviction - an example in his own time and a hero for our age. John W. Keddie is ideally positioned as a guide to this multi-faceted character whose life has been used to encourage so wide a range of people around the globe.”

There are many reasons to read this gripping biography. Eric Liddell was a man of immense ability and profound conviction – an example in his own time and a hero for our age. John W. Keddie is ideally positioned as a guide to this multi–faceted character whose life has been used to encourage so wide a range of people around the globe.

Running theRace is the definitive biography of Eric Liddelland one can say with confidence that Liddell himself would have approved. Notonly is John Keddie the foremost authority on Scottish athletics, but he isalso a Presbyterian Minister uniquely placed to set Liddell's sportingachievements in the context of the bigger priority of his Christian faith andwitness. This superbly researched book inspires on many levels.

It is abundantly clear from these pages that the driving force in Liddell’s life was love for his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and that he lived by the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 9:10: ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.’ This is an inspiring and challenging account of the life of a truly inter–continental hero and will be enjoyed by the sporting enthusiast and Christian alike.

Like many, I shall never forget the impact of my first viewing of Chariots of Fire,where a portion of the life–story of the Scottish Christian sportsman Eric Liddell was told. It was deeply inspiring and proved to be the foundation of an ongoing interest in Liddell’s life. So I am thrilled to recommend this fresh biographical study of Liddell by John Keddie: perfect to inspire a new generation, it is powerfully written and beautifully illustrated. A joy to read.

In a world increasingly fascinated by sports it is difficult to find an athlete worthy of deep admiration. John Keddie’s account of the great Eric Liddell presents all of the drama of his athletic accomplishment while also preserving the character and faith that fueled this remarkable life. More than the medals won, this book reveals the shining greatness of Liddell to be the humble, yet gutsy, spirit that drove him to ‘press toward the goal for the prize’ (Phil. 3:14) – whether in the classroom, on the track, or in the mission–field.

Former athlete and churchman John Keddie brings both sporting expertise and spiritual insight to this lucid and meticulous biography of the great Eric Liddell.

Being a Christian and formerprofessional sportsmen, Liddell has always been a hero of the faith to me. So,I thoroughly enjoyed this book – a wonderful account which shows thereader that athletics was simply an extension of who Liddell was as a man runninghard after Christ. That his life was a race within a race. Men like EricLiddell are a rare commodity. They should be studied, imitated and neverforgotten. So it is with great enthusiasm that I recommend this beautifullywritten and quite moving sports biography by John Keddie – a man well qualifiedto speak on Eric Liddell and athletics.

John Keddie is a Christian minister and writer. His previous works include a highly–regarded centenary history of Scottish Athletics. His connection to Eric Liddell comes through an advisory position that he held for the movie Chariots of Fire.

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