Running the Race: Eric Liddell - Olympic Champion and Missionary

by John W. Keddie

Overview

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.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781527105317
Publisher:	Christian Focus Publications
Publication date:	07/03/2020
Series:	Biography
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

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.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations 10

Picture Credits 12

Foreword 13

Preface 15

1 Encountering Eric Liddell 19

2 'It Is Surrender' 29

3 The Shaping of a Christian Sportsman 33

4 An Exciting Prospect 51

5 Another String to his Bow 63

6 More Brilliant Running 71

7 Another Rugby Season 77

8 Beginning to Fulfil the Potential 85

9 Reaching for the Pinnacle 99

10 The Man Who was Friday 109

11 Coming Down from the Mountaintop 129

12 The Final Season 139

13 Life is More than Sport 145

14 Missionary Life in China 155

15 Internment 175

16 A Life Well Lived 183

17 'More than an Athlete' 201

Career Highlights: (1) Athletics 211

Career Highlights: (2) Rugby 223

End Notes 225

Biographical Bibliography 235

Index 239

Editorial Reviews

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.

(Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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