Something About a Race...? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Around the World in 80 Days

The 1873 book from French author Jules Verne told of the adventures encountered as Phileas Fogg tried to win a substantial bet he had made with the members of his club and circumnavigate the world in 80 days. It was the basis for several films, including the 1956 version starring David Niven and Catinflas.

Nellie Blye, by the way, completed her trip in 72 days in 1889, and wrote a book about it called (imaginatively) 'Around the World in Seventy-Two Days'. She met up with Jules Verne while on the French leg of her voyage.

Answer: Chariots of Fire

Both men had serious points to prove as they raced in this 1981 film. Eric Liddell (who later became a missionary to China, where he had been born) ran for the glory of God, while Harold Abrahams ran to fight against anti-Semitic racism. Liddell's convictions led him to refuse to run his heat in his favorite event because it was held on a Sunday, but an alternative was offered. Both men achieved triumph, against the background of one of the most stirring soundtracks on film, performed by Vangelis.

Answer: The Amazing Race

The first edition of this show aired in 2001, and there have been numerous series, some from the original US producers, others under license overseas. The format of the races is not always the same, but they compete in stages at the end of which the last team to arrive is (usually) eliminated. The last three engage in a dash for the finish line, and the big prize.

Answer: Life as I Know It

In 2015, Michelle Payne thrilled viewers with her win on Prince of Penzance, and shared the joy of victory with her brother, the horse's strapper. She had found it tough to make her way in the male-dominated world of horse racing (and still did, even after this victory on a rank outsider in the country's biggest race).

She made reference to this in her victory speech: "I want to say to everyone else, get stuffed, because women can do anything and we can beat the world."

Answer: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Never mind the plot, look at the performances! Stanley Kramer's first effort at directing a comedy produced wonderful performances from an ensemble cast that included (in alphabetical order) Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Dorothy Provine, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawm, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, Spencer Tracy and Jonathan Winters. That's only the official stars; supporting actors included Jim Bacchus and William Demarest; the list of cameos is equally impressive, including Jack Benny and Buster Keaton.

Answer: Race

This film about Jesse Owens's journey to becoming recognised as the best athlete of his time, culminating in triumph with four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games, stars Stephan James, with Jason Sudeikis as the coach who helped him overcome the obstacles he faced along the way. Part of the filming took place on location in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin where the original competition occurred.

Answer: Wacky Races

Each episode featured a different selection of eccentric characters in equally eccentric vehicles, competing in a road race. Dick Dastardly, despite his flamboyant moustache twirling, never won. Penelope Pitstop was the only female racer. She later had her own spin-off series ('The Perils of Penelope Pitstop'), as did Dastardly and his inept dog sidekick Muttley ('Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines').

Answer: Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape

Subtitled "The Remarkable Life of Jacques Anquetil, the First Five-Times Winner of the Tour de France", Paul Howard's book chronicles the life of the French cyclist Jacques Anquetil. Not only was he the first to win the Tour de France five times, he was also the first to win all three of the races called the grand tours of cycling: the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espaņa.

Answer: Hans Brinker

The full title, 'Hans Brinker; or, the Silver Skates: A Story of Life in Holland' might have given this away a bit too much. The story gives younger readers a taste of life in the Netherlands in the early part of the 19th century, as well as introducing them to the sport of speed skating.

This book is also the source for the popularity of the story of the boy who saved everyone by using his finger to plug a hole in a dyke, a story that is recounted inside the novel. This was not the original time the story appeared in print, but it was probably the most widely-read one.

Answer: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines

The movie, made in 1965 but set in 1910, has the full title of 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines; Or, How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes'. An international field of adventurous pilots try to win money for themselves and prestige for their respective countries by winning a competitive race.

As well as the central narrative, which is full of stereotypes and slapstick comedy, there are amusing "bookends" featuring Red Skelton. At the start, he portrays a number of different primitive attempts at flight; at the end, he is a frustrated passenger in a flight that has been delayed by fog.