What is it?
Whether you are capable of running 10 miles, or can only walk or push a buggy for a few metres, this is your one-off opportunity to play a part in a very special event. Since the official Olympic Torch is not passing through most of Moray’s main towns & villages, we’re planning a commemorative event of our own.
A number of walkers, joggers & runners – 2,012 of them to be exact – will take a replica torch around at least 115 miles of Moray and visit as many of our key towns and villages as possible. This way, about 1 in 40 of Moray’s population will get the opportunity to hold the torch and around 80% of the population will get a chance to at least view it. How good is that?
Click map to enlarge
Who can take part?
Now, it’s a tall order to get 2,012 people to take part in a relay, but we are confident that Moray can rise to the challenge. Hope you agree! We’re setting such a high participant challenge for two reasons: Firstly, to match the year of the London Olympics (ok, so that was obvious); secondly, to try and ensure that our Moray event is a highly inclusive affair. Not only are we expecting our elite runners and joggers to rise to this challenge, we are also looking for people of all ages, all abilities, and all walks of Moray life to take part, even if it is a short distance, such as one end of your street to another (and that includes people who require wheelchairs or buggies for mobility).
Where and when is it happening?
Since we are holding our event at the same time as the official Olympic Torch is travelling around Scotland, we kick off our event in central Elgin on Friday 8th June and head down to Lossiemouth. By the Sunday evening on the 10th June, the torch will have passed through Garmouth, Fochabers, Buckie, Cullen, Keith, and Dufftown. On the Monday and Tuesday, it will head west from Rothes out to Rafford, Forres and Brodie, before coming back to Elgin via Roseisle on Wednesday 13th June. The 115 mile route is entirely on tarred road, and we will have at least one support vehicle going round with torch bearers at all times.
[See map]
How can you take part?
If you are fit enough to carry a hand-held replica torch over a minimum of 10m, are able to devote a small amount of your time during the 6-day event period, and can make your own way to and from the relay route, then we’d love you to be taking part. Please do sign up straight away to make sure that you’re included and get the section you want.
Moray Torch Relay Sections
To make your participation easier, we have divided the route into eleven 10-mile sections. You will, of course, be permitted to join in as many sections as you like, but you will only be registered to carry the torch in one section. Choose your preferred section from the list below with the final twelfth section at a distance of 5 miles.
- Fri 8 June, AM – Elgin to Lossiemouth (via Duffus)
- Fri 8 June PM – Lossiemouth to Garmouth (via Urquhart)
- Sat 9 June, AM – Garmouth to Buckie (via Spey Bay)
- Sat 9 June, PM – Buckie to Deskford (via Cullen)
- Sun 10 June, AM – Deskford to Keith (via Newmill)
- Sun 10 June, PM – Keith to Dufftown. (via Drummuir)
- Mon 11 June, AM – Dufftown to Rothes (via Craigellachie)
- Mon 11 June, PM – Rothes to Miltonduff (via Elgin South)
- Tue 12 June, AM – Miltonduff to Rafford (via Pluscarden)
- Tue 12 June, PM – Rafford to Forres (via Brodie)
- Wed 13 June, AM – Forres to Newton (via Roseisle)
- Wed 13 June, PM – Newton to Elgin