What do you think?
Rate this book
Running the Race: Eric Liddell -- Olympic Champion and Missionary
There is a continuing fascination in the life of Eric Liddell (1902-1945). He remains one of the best-known and best-loved of all British sportsmen. As the subject of an award-winning movie, Chariots of Fire (1981), his success in the 400m at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris was powerfully portrayed. He was known as the 'man who would not run on a Sunday' and captured the imagination of a generation by his Christian character and by sacrificing fame and fortune to become a missionary in China, before his passing in a Japanese Internment Camp in 1945.
This book is not a full biography of Eric Liddell. It is largely a sporting biography which weaves in to it Liddell's background, Christian position and subsequent missionary work. The author, who is the leading authority on Scottish track and field history and is presently a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, had a keen interest in Liddell from before Chariots of Fire. He was acquainted with Liddell's first biographer, D P Thomson, to whom he gave some assistance in the production of the earliest full biography of Liddell (1970). He was subsequently involved with the writer of the screen play in developing the representation of Liddell for the award-winning movie Chariots of Fire (1981).
Whilst the book is in the nature of a 'personal tribute,' it is from one who can speak with some authority on both the sporting side and Christian aspects of Eric Liddell's life, as a Scotsman, a former athlete and rugby player, an athletics historian and an evangelical Christian. The biography produced by John Keddie is a readable, attractive, informative and accurate piece of work which will appeal to a wide readership.
This book is not a full biography of Eric Liddell. It is largely a sporting biography which weaves in to it Liddell's background, Christian position and subsequent missionary work. The author, who is the leading authority on Scottish track and field history and is presently a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, had a keen interest in Liddell from before Chariots of Fire. He was acquainted with Liddell's first biographer, D P Thomson, to whom he gave some assistance in the production of the earliest full biography of Liddell (1970). He was subsequently involved with the writer of the screen play in developing the representation of Liddell for the award-winning movie Chariots of Fire (1981).
Whilst the book is in the nature of a 'personal tribute,' it is from one who can speak with some authority on both the sporting side and Christian aspects of Eric Liddell's life, as a Scotsman, a former athlete and rugby player, an athletics historian and an evangelical Christian. The biography produced by John Keddie is a readable, attractive, informative and accurate piece of work which will appeal to a wide readership.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 15, 2025
It wasn't Eric Liddell's strict views on keeping the Sabbath holy that made his witness so powerful- it was that he could put everything, including fame, aside for what he believed. He was against running on a Sunday. Plenty of us have worked on at least one Sunday, or we have gone out to eat and paid someone else to work on Sunday. Pastors and musicians have to work on Sunday. We could nit-pick his theology, but no one in their right mind could say that there was anything wrong with his faith and legacy- in fact, he puts most Christians to shame. He was willing to risk not winning any medals to tell the world that God reigns and has full ownership of our talents and abilities.
One thing that the movie "Chariots of Fire" got wrong was that his decision not to run on a Sunday was known far in advance of the race. The church between the 2 world wars was stagnant, and they needed an awakening. Going to church was perfectly normal, but making one's faith real wasn't.
Eric was fast. This made him a pretty good rugby player, and rugby toughened him up for racing. In most races he ran about 20 mph, and he occasionally lost. But in the 400 meters (about 440 yards) race in the 1924 olympics, he made it in 47.6 seconds, which was a record. He had run the 200 meter and the 400 meter back to back with a time of 22.2 and 49.2 seconds respectively. Eric was the pride of Scotland for his medals won in the 1924 olympics, and everyone who knew anything about him knew of his uncompromising faith in God. Off the track, he was speaking and using his fame to share the gospel.
His running career was actually short, and in 1925 he gave up everything to pursue the calling of his parents- the mission field in China. He could have kept running and earning medals, and he easily could have gotten any other job since he had an education few people had. He was a celebrity, and could have lived an easy, comfortable life. But people in China were dying without God. China was heading into a civil war, and the Chinese Communist party had formed 4 years earlier in 1921. Both the Nationalists and the rising Communist party were stirring up social unrest and thousands were being murdered. The world had plenty of athletes. What it needed was more Chinese missionaries.
Eric joined some of his family members in China, and immediately started teaching. While some people stereotype westerners as condescending to other cultures in their missions efforts, this stereotype ignores the humanitarian efforts they usually brought to society. Eric taught what he knew about running to the people there, and preached the gospel there. People knew that he had given up fame to be with them, and without his fame in Europe, his sacrifice in China might not have proven his love for the Chinese people. Fame is a frivolous thing in the light of eternity.
When the Japanese invaded China in 1937, they were about as brutal to the Chinese as the Nazis were to those in their camps. Other sources I have read say that Japanese soldiers used the Chinese as target practice for their samuri swords, and the Chinese were executed in mass numbers. One man who refused to bow at his execution was sliced from the back of the neck to the mouth and left for dead. He was one of two men found by Eric rescued from the Japanese who lived to tell about it and later became a believer. After the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor and began war with the US, most foreigners were rounded up and taken to camps- Eric Liddell included. If he had not left Scotland and given up his fame and easy life, he might never have been in this predicament- yet he knew he was called to reach the lost. The western world had already heard the gospel at the olympics. The Chinese were just as important to God as them, and many Europeans were in the internment camp with him. He became head of church services and Bible studies in the camp, but not all people there were Christians. The youth wanted to play sports on Sundays, and they knew his stance- he was against all work or sport on the Sabbath. But when it became clear that the youth sports needed guidance from adults, he compromised. He supervised their games, even though they were played on Sunday nights. So his stereotype of being unyielding on the Sabbath is not really what he should be remembered for- his unwavering dedication to God is what he should be remembered for.
Just months before Japan lost the war, Eric developed headaches, and it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. Not long after that, he died on February 21st, 1945. While the rest of the prisoners would be liberated on this earth, he was liberated in heaven. His fame was established as a runner, but his witness to the world is what really mattered. Our talents, gifts, and abilities are from God, and we were given those to show the world His greatness; not our greatness.
One thing that the movie "Chariots of Fire" got wrong was that his decision not to run on a Sunday was known far in advance of the race. The church between the 2 world wars was stagnant, and they needed an awakening. Going to church was perfectly normal, but making one's faith real wasn't.
Eric was fast. This made him a pretty good rugby player, and rugby toughened him up for racing. In most races he ran about 20 mph, and he occasionally lost. But in the 400 meters (about 440 yards) race in the 1924 olympics, he made it in 47.6 seconds, which was a record. He had run the 200 meter and the 400 meter back to back with a time of 22.2 and 49.2 seconds respectively. Eric was the pride of Scotland for his medals won in the 1924 olympics, and everyone who knew anything about him knew of his uncompromising faith in God. Off the track, he was speaking and using his fame to share the gospel.
His running career was actually short, and in 1925 he gave up everything to pursue the calling of his parents- the mission field in China. He could have kept running and earning medals, and he easily could have gotten any other job since he had an education few people had. He was a celebrity, and could have lived an easy, comfortable life. But people in China were dying without God. China was heading into a civil war, and the Chinese Communist party had formed 4 years earlier in 1921. Both the Nationalists and the rising Communist party were stirring up social unrest and thousands were being murdered. The world had plenty of athletes. What it needed was more Chinese missionaries.
Eric joined some of his family members in China, and immediately started teaching. While some people stereotype westerners as condescending to other cultures in their missions efforts, this stereotype ignores the humanitarian efforts they usually brought to society. Eric taught what he knew about running to the people there, and preached the gospel there. People knew that he had given up fame to be with them, and without his fame in Europe, his sacrifice in China might not have proven his love for the Chinese people. Fame is a frivolous thing in the light of eternity.
When the Japanese invaded China in 1937, they were about as brutal to the Chinese as the Nazis were to those in their camps. Other sources I have read say that Japanese soldiers used the Chinese as target practice for their samuri swords, and the Chinese were executed in mass numbers. One man who refused to bow at his execution was sliced from the back of the neck to the mouth and left for dead. He was one of two men found by Eric rescued from the Japanese who lived to tell about it and later became a believer. After the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor and began war with the US, most foreigners were rounded up and taken to camps- Eric Liddell included. If he had not left Scotland and given up his fame and easy life, he might never have been in this predicament- yet he knew he was called to reach the lost. The western world had already heard the gospel at the olympics. The Chinese were just as important to God as them, and many Europeans were in the internment camp with him. He became head of church services and Bible studies in the camp, but not all people there were Christians. The youth wanted to play sports on Sundays, and they knew his stance- he was against all work or sport on the Sabbath. But when it became clear that the youth sports needed guidance from adults, he compromised. He supervised their games, even though they were played on Sunday nights. So his stereotype of being unyielding on the Sabbath is not really what he should be remembered for- his unwavering dedication to God is what he should be remembered for.
Just months before Japan lost the war, Eric developed headaches, and it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. Not long after that, he died on February 21st, 1945. While the rest of the prisoners would be liberated on this earth, he was liberated in heaven. His fame was established as a runner, but his witness to the world is what really mattered. Our talents, gifts, and abilities are from God, and we were given those to show the world His greatness; not our greatness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2021
An enjoyable enough read about Eric Liddell but it seemed to skip over most of his time as a missionary. I would have liked to have understood more about Liddell’s work. That said it was a challenge around what is the priority in my life.
November 30, 2021
This particular biography focused on Liddell’s sporting achievements. It was a good balance to the man as he is often portrayed one sided in his spiritual devotion. This helped show how the sports were an outworking of his Christianity.
May 19, 2015
A great book that details the life of Eric Liddell. Keddie writes not just of his accomplishments on the field. He shows Eric's Christian character and faith through his actions, his life as a missionary in China and by people who personally knew him. He was not just the "Flying Scotsman" but a man who truly dedicated his life to his Lord and Savior.
September 11, 2009
After going to a BYU devotional and hearing about Eric Liddle's mission to China, I became interested in learning more about him and particularly his mission. This book was interesting but only had a couple of chapters dedicated to details of his missionary experience.
January 15, 2009
I believe this was the other biography I read of Eric Liddell. See my review of Sally Magnuson's work on him for more details about his life.
June 28, 2023
This is mostly about Liddell's athletic achievements. However the best chapters are the last 3 where he becomes a missionary to China, is interned by the Japanese in WWII and dies of a brain tumor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews