Attention Runners!
Published on 20 March 2018
Coinciding with the Queen’s Baton Relay this Friday, Council will host its very own Baton Relay along Sir Raymond Huish Drive and is calling for runners of all ages to be a part of the fun!
As part of the community celebrations, ‘Rockhampton’s Own Baton Relay’ will commence after the final Queen’s Baton Relay baton bearer crosses the finish line, marking Rockhampton’s contribution towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Rockhampton Regional Council Chair of Parks and Recreation Councillor Cherie Rutherford said Council is hoping to attract in excess of 200 participants.
“This is really about coming together as a community and having a bit of fun,” Cr Rutherford said.
“It’s great to have the Queen’s Baton visiting Rockhampton, so why not use this opportunity to create some excitement of our own. We have a wide variety of runners in Rockhampton and having our own Baton Relay provides a chance for all to come together for a little bit of fun.
“This is not a serious race, it’s all about participation in a community focussed event.”
Craig McCormack, who is Rockhampton parkrun’s event Director, member of the Rockhampton Road Runners and a nominated baton bearer, has assisted Council to create the Rockhampton Relay.
“The relay involves five runners per team, each team member running 1km. Participants nominate individually and will be randomly selected to represent one of the 71 Commonwealth Nations or Territories. It begins with the slower runners and will build to what we hope will be a very fast finish,” Mr McCormack said.
“This is the next most international event being hosted in Australia, second only to the Gold Coast. Yes, we are bending the selection criteria a little and perhaps the athletes aren’t all at their peak, but I can’t wait to meet our local Kenyan and Jamaican relay teams who must be two of our event favourites,” he said.
“Anyone who can run 1km in under seven minutes is encouraged to nominate. This is a free event that is well worth supporting.”
The community celebration event will also give people a chance to have an up close and personal viewing of Queen’s Baton, which began its journey in the hands of Rockhampton’s very own Olympian Anna Meares at Buckingham Palace.
Participants must register online by 5pm Wednesday to take part in the Rockhampton’s Own Baton Relay.
Click here for Rockhampton’s Own Queen Baton Relay event