The city can boast a new world record after almost 350 people ran piggy back along Magdalen Green at Dundee WestFest.
The world record attempt, which will see the city in the Guinness Book of World Records once it is verified officially, needed to beat 296 to claim the prize.
By early on Sunday only just over 100 people had registered online, so a large number of late entries meant the start was delayed by around half an hour.
After a morning of glorious sunshine, the heavens opened and unleashed a downpour which began right on the starter’s whistle, turning the going from good to soft and soaking the 4000-plus crowd, most of whom were in shorts and T-shirts.
Dundee University lecturer Dominic Venditozzi claimed the title of first past the post, carrying his six-year-old daughter Lola.
Seconds after crossing the finishing line, he said, “It’s wonderful a bit wet but very satisfying. My dreams of competing in the Olympics were dashed last year when I broke my pinky, but this more than makes up for it!”
When the count was concluded, 346 people had competed and although two fallers brought that down to 344, it still beat the mark by a considerable margin.
Race organiser Alan Richardson was delighted with the outcome.
“The verification is still to be done but we’re absolutely delighted. A big thank you to everybody at WestFest for taking part in the fun.
“Abertay Rotary are helping with the verification so we should know soon, but with so many people taking part we’re very confident.
“Registration took a lot longer than we expected but it was all worth it in the end and we are so grateful that we’ve got a world record for Dundee.”
In addition to the world record race, a huge crowd sat in the sunshine at The Courier’s Rocktalk/Fat Sams stage which featured top local acts.
These included Love, Susan; Swizzel Sisters, Lefty & Friends; the Anderson, Webster, McGinty, Ward and Fisher Band; youngsters The Alley; Roberto Cassani; and Nahoosfara, who kicked things off at 1pm.
A vintage car show by Dundee Transport Museum, a modern car exhibition by Barnett’s, displays by community groups, Junior Showtime and Radio Tay, dogs doing heelwork to music and various other stalls also entertained the crowds.
Festival chairwoman Paula McLure said, “What a fabulous day. It was so rewarding after the committee put so much effort into the organisation.
“We’d like to thank all the volunteers for a brilliant effort and all the sponsors for making it such a great occasion. To see so many people coming out for a community festival and enjoying it immensely was fantastic.”