Council announces Queen’s Baton Relay after party!

Published on 27 February 2018

The countdown has well and truly begun until the Queen’s Baton arrives in Rockhampton ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games!

On Friday 23 March, local batonbearers will have the unique opportunity to carry the Queen’s Baton nearly six kilometres from the Kenrick Trucker Velodrome, across the Fitzroy River and finishing at Huish Drive.

Rockhampton Region Chair of Parks and Recreation Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the arrival of the Queen’s Baton will be a proud moment for Rockhampton and announced a post-relay community celebration to commemorate the special event.  

“Being involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay is a big deal for our community and we are so proud to be part of an event that connects regional cities like ours to the rest of the world,” Cr Rutherford said.

“To really mark the occasion we have decided to throw an additional relay- Rockhampton’s Own Relay – as well as an outdoor movie screening, markets and food stalls so that we can continue the celebration long after the Queen’s Baton relay finishes.

“We have worked with the organisers of Park Run and Rocky Road Runners to coordinate this post-relay event, and are expecting hundreds of participants to join us in what will be a fun afternoon and evening for people of all ages.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay will begin at the Kenrick Tucker Velodrome on Berserker Street at 3:23pm, and will arrive at the post-relay event in Sir Raymond Huish Drive at 5:30pm.

To get involved in the Rockhampton’s Own Relay, Council is calling on those who can run 1km in less than 6.5minutes. Each participant will represent one of the 70 Commonwealth Nations. Participants can register online http://bit.ly/2FhIu4w  or at the event from 4.30pm. The Rockhampton’s Own Relay will commence at 6pm.

To accommodate the official Queen’s Baton relay, there will be a number of traffic changes along the relay route. The closure of roads will begin at 3:00pm. In an effort to return traffic movements to normal as soon as possible, the opening of roads will be staged in response to the progress of the Relay.

Follow Council’s Facebook page for live coverage on the day as the Queen’s baton is proudly carried through the city on Friday 23 March. 

For more information click here.