Runners full of pride
THE Tasmanian leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay came too an exciting end yesterday with a party at the Hobart waterfront.
The baton relay is a prelude to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
Charity teddy bear maker Campbell Remess was the finalal baton bearer, carrying the torch along Castray Esplanade to the free celebration at PW1.
The 13-year-old said it was an “awesome” experience with lots of people watching on.
Campbell was chosen to carry the torch for his charity work making teddy bears for children who are sick or in need.
“I’ve sent them all around the world — they’ve been to Pakistan, all around Australia and everywhere around the world,” Campbell said. He said the best way to help people was to be kind. The baton was carried from Constitution Dock by boat to Sandy Bay, by foot along Sandy Bay Rd and through Battery Point to the community event at PW1. Earlier in the day the torch passed through Clarence in the hands of Commonwealth Games boxing bronze medallist Luke Jackson before travelling through Bellerive and Glenorchy. Jackson said it was another great memory in his life he could thank boxing for. “Everything I have achieved in my life is because of boxing,” Jackson said. He said he decided to walk, not run, with the baton along Cambridge Rd, Bellerive, not far from Clarendon Vale where he grew up. “I wanted to cherish the moment, I didn’t want it to go too quick,” he said.
Susan Andrews, athletics coach at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport and former coach of Cathy Freeman, carried the torch through Bellerive.
But it wasn’t all fun and excitement as road closures caused grief for commuters during busy afternoon traffic.
Sandy Bay Rd was closed between Marieville Esplanade and Hampden Rd between 4.40pm and 5pm including Davey St, Byron St, Gladstone St and Kirksway Place.
Commuters in Sandy Bay, Battery Point and the CBD were warned to expect traffic delays up to 15 minutes.
The torch will now be taken to Victoria for the next leg of its journey around Australia.