BREAKING NEWS: East Preston man’s Olympic Torch glory

THIS morning (Friday, July 13) saw the first Olympic torchbearer from the Gazette’s patch taking part in the torch relay.

Chris Shore, of Seaview Avenue, East Preston, took to the streets of Portland Bill, near Weymouth, Dorset, to complete his much-anticipated 300m section of the Olympic Torch relay.

The 60-year-old retired estate agent set off at about 7.30am this morning, cheered on by hundreds of excited spectators that had lined the streets to watch the runners.

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Father-of-two Chris said there was a real party atmosphere to the day.

“It was amazing, I just can’t describe it. It was surreal – it was a totally different world.

“There was a convoy of different vehicles behind me getting the crowd in a frenzy. Coca Cola officials were playing loud music. I even had a police escort follow me on the run. It was incredible.

“The crowd was clapping and cheering as I ran. So many people were reaching out, trying to touch the torch and take a photo near it,” he said.

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Today the torch will cover a 76-mile route that will see around 147 torchbearers from across the country taking part.

Chris was one of a contingent of 18 runners who all carried the torch approximately three miles through Portland Bill.

In the afternoon, Littlehampton woman Claire Moyle, of Windward Close, will be running with the iconic sporting symbol through Poole before the torch moves off to its finishing point in Bournemouth, early this evening.

Chris said that this was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity and one that is only beginning to sink in.

“Reality has just hit home,” he said. “It’s unbelievable.

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“I’ve got my torch and I will be heading over to Bournemouth with my wife Lyn to watch the torch come through and take part in the party on the beach, tonight.”

The fabled flame will be making its way through Arundel, on Monday (July 16), from western end of Maltravers Street at 3.26pm.

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