Real Relay
The EnduranceLife Real Relay is an unofficial event following the route of the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay, conceived by Andrew Barker, an endurance runner.[1]
After the Olympic torch relay had begun Barker and his wife Charlotte were dismayed[2] to discover the torch would be carried by a security van for 80% of its journey.[3] In contrast the Real Relay is run entirely on foot (excepting air and sea transportation).
The Real Relay began ten days after the official relay, at midnight on 28 May 2012, and plans to reach the Olympic Stadium in advance of the official torch on 27 July 2012. In place of the Olympic torch, a single baton fitted with a GPS tracking device will be passed across the entire course.
Stages and Route
The route was divided into 672 stages – averaging ten miles per stage. Stages were posted in batches on the Real Relay website. Each numbered stage features a start and end point – such as a city, town, or landmark - which relates to the Olympics torch relay. The first person to volunteer for the stage secured the right to carry the torch. The exact stage route became the responsibility of the designated runner. Runners are required to keep a ten minutes per mile pace so that the aim of reaching the [Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic stadium] in advance of the opening ceremony be achieved.
Modifications to Olympic Route
Distinct from the Olympics torch relay, the Real Relay baton was taken to the peaks of Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, the tallest mountains in England, and the United Kingdom, respectively.
Recognition
On 13 July 2012 Jeremy Hunt the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, mentioned the Real Relay during a recording of Any Questions?, describing it as 'the fake relay'.
Charitable Donations
All participating runners were asked to contribute at least £10 to CHICKS, a charity providing week-long respite breaks for disadvantaged children across the UK. Donations have reached over £9,000.
To be sorted out
Andrew Barker, Organiser the Real Relay, using their experience of conceiving and promoting ultra events External links http://helpmeinvestigate.com/olympics/full-interview-how-alternative-torch-relay-real-relay-was-organised/#more-419 http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/06/18/scottish-athletes-pick-up-real-relay-challenge-on-the-back-of-olympic-flame-journey-86908-23897614/
References
- ^ Peck, Tom (9 July 2012). "Can amateurs' 'Real Relay' steal the Olympic show?". Independent.
- ^ Attwooll, Jolyon (1 June 2012). "Runners launch alternative Olympic torch relay round Britain". Telegraph.
- ^ Robinson, Martin; Eccles, Louise (19 March 2012). "Unveiled...the 2012 pyjama torchbearers: And by the way, 80% of Olympic flame's tour will be by security van". Daily Mail.