Relay leg starts at Woy Woy

The Queen's Baton Relay began its Central Coast leg from Lions Park, Woy Woy, on January 27.

Gosford mayor Cr Laurie Maher was on hand to officially welcome the runners participating in the local leg of the relay, along with Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd and Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews.

Runners for the Woy Woy leg of the relay included James Harrison of Umina Beach, Adam John Mitchell of Blackwall, Nabil Codmani of Greenacre, Beverley Conley of Ingleburn, Ian Malcolm Bruce McGuire of Avoca Beach, Glenster Albert Saunders of Hornsby, Barry Noel Spratt of Berowra, Brendon Whittaler of Berkeley Vale and Duncan Wyllie of Cremorne.

Umina Beach resident William Curnoe ran the Koolewong leg of the relay.

Each participant covers 500 metres before handing the baton to the next runner.

On the local leg of the relay, the baton was carried through Woy Woy, Koolewong and Tascott before being taken by convoy to Gosford, Point Frederick, East Gosford, Erina and Erina Fair, then onto Terrigal and Wamberal.

Starting from Lions Park at 8am, the Woy Woy section of the relay ran along North Burge Rd to Park Rd then onto Blackwall Rd, Oval Ave, Chambers Place and The Boulevarde before heading north onto Brisbane Water Dr.

At Koolewong, the relay crossed the railway tracks at Couche Cr, heading north along Glenrock Pde arriving at Thomas St, Tascott at about 9am.

At this point the baton was taken by convoy to the next relay location, Racecourse Rd in West Gosford.

About 100 residents were on hand at Lions Park to welcome the baton, with James Harrison the first runner to depart from Woy Woy.

The runners were followed by a convoy of police and media vehicles along the journey, as well as helpers who kept the paths clear and assisted runners.

Peninsula residents lined the streets and supported the runners, and were given Melbourne Commonwealth Games flags by Centrelink and Tesltra.

Cr Laurie Maher also gave children in the audience the opportunity to touch the baton, but was discouraged by officials.

Ocean Beach Surf Club members were also at the opening of the relay, providing a free barbecue breakfast from 6.30am to 8.30am for those coming to cheer off the first runner shortly after 8am.

The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay is the world's longest, most inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kilometres and visiting all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day.

The Queen's Baton Relay will spend 50 days travelling around Australia, visiting every State andTerritory before arriving in Melbourne on March 15 for the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Lyle Stone, January 27 Press release, January 20 Marion Newall, Gosford Council