What? Queen's Baton Relay Fun Run
Where? Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
When? 13 June 2010, 7:30am
Why? To publicise and support the XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, which will be held from 3rd to 19th October 2010, as well as to provide an opportunity to all ordinary sports fans and hobby runners, from teenagers to veterans of both gender to see the Queen’s Baton at close range, to have photographs taken with the Baton, etc.
Who? Flag off by YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Halil bin Mutalib, Chef de Mission of the Malaysia Contingent to the Delhi XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, in the presence of YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan, Deputy President of OCM and member of the CGF Executive Board.
Dataran Merdeka looked kinda quiet as if there was no run event.
Actually I had missed the flag off. The runners were already making their 5km round the time I was walking to Dataran Merdeka from Bukit Aman. I had just finished my morning long run and decided to take a peep at the Queen's Baton.
I was told that over 400 runners participated in the Fun Run, including H.E. Mr. Vijay Gokhale, High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, H.E. Mr. B.N. Reddy, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Ms. Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Press, Information, Culture & Community Affairs). High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, Indian expatriates in Malaysia and Malaysians.
This boy apparently didn't understand the concept of a fun run and made a super dash to the finish...ALONE!
You are supposed to run along with the baton la dey! Heheh!
Later the big group of runners arrived. The Queen’s Baton was taken along the 5 Km Run, with it being passed from runner to runner along the route.
The Queen's Baton actually had made it's round in Melaka before it was sent to Kuala Lumpur, where it was on display at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay Fun Run.
The Queen’s Baton arrived in Malaysia on 11th June 2010 at 9.00 p.m. and was taken to the City of Melaka the same night. The Official 2010 Queen’s Baton Relay was launched on 12th June 2010 at 8.00 a.m. at Dataran Pahlawan Bandar Hilir by YAB Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, Ketua Menteri Melaka.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition of the Commonwealth Games, which was started at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales.
Since then it has been held during every Games. The Queen’s Baton Relay is held in all the 71 member Commonwealth Games Associations thus providing an opportunity for them to celebrate a little of the Commonwealth Games in their own country.
The 2010 Queen’s Baton Relay carries a message from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth to Delhi, where it will be taken out from the Baton and read to the athletes at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010.
The baton was designed by Michael Foley, a graduate of the National Institute of Design.
It is a triangular section of aluminium twisted into a helix shape and then coated with coloured soils collected from all regions of India. The coloured soils are a first for the styling of a Queen's Baton.
A jewel-encrusted box was used to house the Queen's message, which was laser-engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf – representative of the ancient Indian 'patras.
The Queen's baton is ergonomically contoured for ease of use. It is 664 millimetres high, 34 millimetres wide at the base, and 86 millimetres wide at the top and weighs 1,900 grams.
The Queen's baton has a number of technological features including:
The ability to capture images and sound.
Global positioning system (GPS) technology so the baton's location can be tracked
Embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) which will change into the colours of a country’s flag whilst in that country
A text messaging capability so that people can send messages of congratulations and encouragement to the Baton bearers throughout relay!
Fuyoh! So canggih one ah? LOL! The only thing this baby can't do it light up like the Olympic Torch. :)
Find out more about the Queen's Baton HERE and HERE.
Ahah! That round thingy looks like a phone camera. I wonder where is the shutter?
The dedicated FTAAA Officials also want to put their paws on the Queen's Baton. :)
YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan drawing the lucky number...
And the winner get to bring home......Selvi!
Just kidding...There were 45 lucky draws donated by sponsors Milo, Bata, 100Plus and Sports Toto.
I am glad that I was there to see the Queen's Baton up close. Even took a couple of pictures with it. :D
Every runner gets a colourful Certificate of Participation after the run.
Check out the Queen's Baton Relay Fun Run in the video below.
ENJOY!
The Queen's Baton is scheduled to depart today, 14 June 2010 for "Male, Maldives"
Bye bye Queen's Baton!!! See you in Delhi!
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