A CLASSIC race - a replay of a famous scene from Oscar-winning film Chariots Of Fire - came to York for the first time.

The recreation of the famous scene from the movie, in which runners race around a Cambridge college quadrangle before the end of a chime of bells, was held in Dean's Park, next to York Minster. Racing in this case to the bells of York Minster, five top local up-and-coming athletes raced the 430m course in York's first npower dash.

First across the finishing line in 56.4 seconds, well within the chimes of the Minster, was York St John College student Danny Brandwood, aged 20.

"It was a great race, a nice way to finish the season," said Danny.

"It's the first thing I have ever done like this. I have seen the bit of the film where they race, which made it fun.

"And it's really nice to be running in front of a good crowd. It opens people's eyes to the sport. I think it's a really good thing."

The runner-up, English Schools and AAA U17 record-holder Richard Buck, 16, of Pickering, said: "I think it's a good promotion for athletics. It was great to see so many people supporting us, and a really different race to run."

Organiser Kevin Wilson, of Sport First Enterprises, said: "It's a fantastic event. We have had lots of interest from local people with good crowds."

The event will raise about £500 for the Martin House Hospice at Boston Spa.

Updated: 10:58 Monday, September 15, 2003