Scottish Kilt Run Hopes to Skirt Around Canadian Record

It’s a tale of two cities, both named Perth. The Kilt Run in Perth, Ontario, currently holds the Guinness World Record of 1,089 for the most participants to run a race wearing kilts, set in 2010, but its sister city of Perth, Scotland, is hoping once again this year to disrobe its Canadian rival of the kilt run title.

The Ontario Perth Kilt Run 8K takes place this Saturday, but organizers say they won’t be trying to break their own record. (Interesting side note: The Ontario race also holds the unofficial world record for having the most age categories, with age groups in one-year increments. There were more than 130 age-group winners in 2012.)

Meanwhile, the Scottish event, a 5K, is set for August 10, and they do plan to set a new Guinness World Record. To qualify, all participants must wear a plaid, knee-length kilt fastened with at least two buckles.

Last year, the Scottish race fell just short of the Ontario kilt run’s mark, with more than 1,000 participants taking part, but not enough to topple the kilted Canucks. But this year, they’ve partnered with the Perth Highland Games, which could help bring them into record territory.