The relay takes place on January 2nd and marks the start of the Olympic year for these two ambitious towns.
Sixteen runners from Congleton will take part in the relay, carrying a special message of goodwill to the town of Congleton from both Lord Sebastian Coe and from the Mayor of Much Wenlock, famed for being the birthplace of the modern Games.
It precedes the national Olympic torch relay, which passes through Congleton on the morning of Thursday, May 31st.
The Mayor of Much Wenlock, Cllr Lesley Durbin and former Olympic champion Ann Packer will start the run at 7.30am from Holy Trinity Church in Much Wenlock, the resting place of the Olympic founder Dr William Penny-Brookes. It is expected to take eight hours to reach Congleton, with each of the runners carrying the baton for four miles.
The idea for the relay came from Ann’s husband, Robbie Brightwell. Mr Brightwell was the former captain of the British Olympic team and holds Olympic, Commonwealth and European medals. Ann is president and Robbie Vice President of a community group called Team Congleton, which has organised a packed programme of cultural and sporting events to help Congleton ‘embrace the games’.
Mr Brightwell said: “Having the Olympics held in our Country is probably a once in a life-time experience and we are determined to celebrate it in style. We salute Much Wenlock for holding Games since 1850 and thought this 60 mile endurance run would embody the spirit, challenge and camaraderie of the Olympic Games and is a great way to kick-start the town’s Olympic year. We are very grateful to our sponsors Marks and Spencers, Senior Aerospace, Steve Purdham and Fiona Bruce MP for their support. ”
Cheshire East Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “Cheshire East Council very much supports any initiative which promotes the Olympic Games. Indeed, the Olympic Torch will pass through four of our towns later this year, including Congleton.
“I would like to wish all of the runners taking part in this 60-mile relay all the very best and I congratulate them for doing their bit to raise the profile of the town of Congleton and Cheshire East.”
The runners are expected to arrive in Congleton at approximately 3.00pm where they will be met by Congleton Town Council members, Fiona Bruce MP and other local representatives. The Town Crier, Douglas Parker, will read the messages from the Mayor of Much Wenlock and Lord Sebastian Coe.
Source: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk
