Latin Club Hosts Annual Chariot Races on Burke Field

The traditional chariot races made a triumphant return to Burke Field on Friday, May 27 as the Latin Club revived its longstanding “ludi circenses” (festival games).

Despite overcast weather and some scheduling challenges, this year’s event was a rousing success and a last hurrah for the graduating Latin students. Head of School Liz Morrison presided over the festivities clad in a toga, and she signaled the start of the day's only race by dropping a cloth known as a “mappa.”

Three chariot-racing teams participated in this year’s event. Congratulations to this year’s champions — Ian Patchett ’24, Jacob Tinkelman ’22, and Jonah Tinkelman ’24.

The other racers were:  Margaret Ahern ’23, Jack Bailey '24, Alice McNamara ’24, Olivia McNamara ’25, Ellie Pine ’25, Keira Redmond ’24 and Isabella Villanova ’24. 

After the race, Latin teacher Michael McGrann crowned each victor with a laurel wreath.