Running the Race – Eric Liddell – Olympic Champion & Missionary

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. From university days to internment at Weihsien POW Camp, John Keddie’s biography brings together a specialist understanding of both Liddell’s faith and sporting achievements to provide an engaging account of this normal man’s extraordinary life.

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About the Author

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.

Endorsements

Running the Race is the definitive biography of Eric Liddell and one can say with confidence that Liddell himself would have approved. Not only is John Keddie the foremost authority on Scottish athletics, but he is also a Presbyterian Minister uniquely placed to set Liddell’s sporting achievements in the context of the bigger priority of his Christian faith and witness. This superbly researched book inspires on many levels.

Peter Lovesey, Crime writer & Athletics historian; National Union of Track Statisticians member

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

Sally Magnusson, Broadcaster (Reporting Scotland, Songs of Praise) & Author of several books, including ‘The Flying Scotsman: The Eric Liddell Story’

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.

Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

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.

Jonathan Master, President, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, South Carolina

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.

Euan Murray, Former Scottish Rugby Union Player

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.

Joe Barnard, Pastor, Holyrood Evangelical Church, Edinburgh Author of The Way Forward, and Surviving the Trenches

Being a Christian and former professional sportsmen, Liddell has always been a hero of the faith to me. So, I thoroughly enjoyed this book – a wonderful account which shows the reader that athletics was simply an extension of who Liddell was as a man running hard after Christ. That his life was a race within a race. Men like Eric Liddell are a rare commodity. They should be studied, imitated and never forgotten. So it is with great enthusiasm that I recommend this beautifully written and quite moving sports biography by John Keddie – a man well qualified to speak on Eric Liddell and athletics.

Gavin Peacock, Former professional footballer and Director of International Outreach, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.