70 days 8,000 runners 8,000 miles Torch relay FAQs
Routes
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- Day 1 Land's End to Plymouth May 19
- Day 2 Plymouth to Exeter May 20
- Day 3 Exeter to Taunton May 21
- Day 4 Taunton to Bristol May 22
- Day 5 Bristol to Cheltenham May 23
- Day 6 Gloucester to Worcester May 24
- Day 7 Worcester to Cardiff May 25
- Day 8 Cardiff to Swansea May 26
- Day 9 Swansea to Aberystwyth May 27
- Day 10 Aberystwyth to Bangor May 28
- Day 11 Beaumaris to Chester May 29
- Day 12 Chester to Stoke-on-Trent May 30
- Day 13 Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton May 31
- Day 14 Bolton to Liverpool June 1
- Day 15 Liverpool to Castletown June 2
- Day 16 Belfast to Portrush June 3
- Day 17 Carrick-a-Rede to Londonderry June 4
- Day 18 Londonderry to Newry June 5
- Day 19 Dublin to Belfast June 6
- Day 20 Newcastle to Moorfields June 7
- Day 21 Stranraer to Glasgow June 8
- Day 22 Glasgow to Inverness June 9
- Day 23 Kirkwall to Lerwick June 10
- Day 24 Stornoway to Aberdeen June 11
- Day 25 Aberdeen to Dundee June 12
- Day 26 St Andrews to Edinburgh June 13
- Day 27 Edinburgh to Alnwick June 14
- Day 28 Alnwick to Newcastle upon Tyne June 15
- Day 29 Gateshead to Durham June 16
- Day 30 Durham to Middlesbrough June 17
- Day 31 Middlesbrough to Hull June 18
- Day 32 Hull to York June 19
- Day 33 York to Carlisle June 20
- Day 34 Dumfries to Bowness-on-Windermere June 21
- Day 35 Kendal to Blackpool June 22
- Day 36 Lytham St Anne's to Manchester June 23
- Day 37 Salford to Leeds June 24
- Day 38 Leeds to Sheffield June 25
- Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes June 26
- Day 40 Grimsby to Lincoln June 27
- Day 41 Lincoln to Nottingham June 28
- Day 42 Nottingham to Derby June 29
- Day 43 Derby to Birmingham June 30
- Day 44 Birmingham to Coventry July 1
- Day 45 Coventry to Leicester July 2
- Day 46 Leicester to Peterborough July 3
- Day 47 Peterborough to Norwich July 4
- Day 48 Norwich to Ipswich July 5
- Day 49 Ipswich to Chelmsford July 6
- Day 50 Chelmsford to Cambridge July 7
- Day 51 Cambridge to Luton July 8
- Day 52 Luton to Oxford July 9
- Day 53 Oxford to Reading July 10
- Day 54 Reading to Salisbury July 11
- Day 55 Salisbury to Weymouth July 12
- Day 56 Portland Bill to Bournemouth July 13
- Day 57 Bournemouth to Southampton July 14
- Day 58 Southampton to Portsmouth July 15
- Day 59 Portsmouth to Brighton July 16
- Day 60 Brighton to Hastings July 17
- Day 61 Hastings to Dover July 18
- Day 62 Deal to Maidstone July 19
- Day 63 Maidstone to Guildford July 20
- Day 64 Greenwich to Waltham Forest July 21
- Day 65 Redbridge to Bexley July 22
- Day 66 Lewisham to Wandsworth July 23
- Day 67 Kingston to Ealing July 24
- Day 68 Harrow to Haringey July 25
- Day 69 Camden to Westminster July 26
- Day 70 Hampton Court to Olympic Stadium July 27
70 days; 70 routes
- Day 1 Land's End to Plymouth
- Day 2 Plymouth to Exeter
- Day 3 Exeter to Taunton
- Day 4 Taunton to Bristol
- Day 5 Bristol to Cheltenham
- Day 6 Gloucester to Worcester
- Day 7 Worcester to Cardiff
- Day 8 Cardiff to Swansea
- Day 9 Swansea to Aberystwyth
- Day 10 Aberystwyth to Bangor
- Day 11 Beaumaris to Chester
- Day 12 Chester to Stoke-on-Trent
- Day 13 Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton
- Day 14 Bolton to Liverpool
- Day 15 Liverpool to Castletown
- Day 16 Belfast to Portrush
- Day 17 Carrick-a-Rede to Londonderry
- Day 18 Londonderry to Newry
- Day 19 Dublin to Belfast
- Day 20 Newcastle to Moorfields
- Day 21 Stranraer to Glasgow
- Day 22 Glasgow to Inverness
- Day 23 Kirkwall to Lerwick
- Day 24 Stornoway to Aberdeen
- Day 25 Aberdeen to Dundee
- Day 26 St Andrews to Edinburgh
- Day 27 Edinburgh to Alnwick
- Day 28 Alnwick to Newcastle upon Tyne
- Day 29 Gateshead to Durham
- Day 30 Durham to Middlesbrough
- Day 31 Middlesbrough to Hull
- Day 32 Hull to York
- Day 33 York to Carlisle
- Day 34 Dumfries to Bowness-on-Windermere
- Day 35 Kendal to Blackpool
- Day 36 Lytham St Anne's to Manchester
- Day 37 Salford to Leeds
- Day 38 Leeds to Sheffield
- Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes
- Day 40 Grimsby to Lincoln
- Day 41 Lincoln to Nottingham
- Day 42 Nottingham to Derby
- Day 43 Derby to Birmingham
- Day 44 Birmingham to Coventry
- Day 45 Coventry to Leicester
- Day 46 Leicester to Peterborough
- Day 47 Peterborough to Norwich
- Day 48 Norwich to Ipswich
- Day 49 Ipswich to Chelmsford
- Day 50 Chelmsford to Cambridge
- Day 51 Cambridge to Luton
- Day 52 Luton to Oxford
- Day 53 Oxford to Reading
- Day 54 Reading to Salisbury
- Day 55 Salisbury to Weymouth
- Day 56 Portland Bill to Bournemouth
- Day 57 Bournemouth to Southampton
- Day 58 Southampton to Portsmouth
- Day 59 Portsmouth to Brighton
- Day 60 Brighton to Hastings
- Day 61 Hastings to Dover
- Day 62 Deal to Maidstone
- Day 63 Maidstone to Guildford
- Day 64 Greenwich to Waltham Forest
- Day 65 Redbridge to Bexley
- Day 66 Lewisham to Wandsworth
- Day 67 Kingston to Ealing
- Day 68 Harrow to Haringey
- Day 69 Camden to Westminster
- Day 70 Hampton Court to Olympic Stadium
Explore our map to find out where the torch is going each day or check the text version to see a list of locations.
- Map colour key
- Past day
- Today
- Future day
- Find out more
Estimated arrival times
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Bournemouth
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Boscombe
-
Christchurch
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Lyndhurst
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Brockenhurst
-
Lymington
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Totland
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The Needles Park
-
Yarmouth
-
Carisbrooke
-
Newport
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East Cowes
-
Southampton
- Map colour key
- Start stop
- Finish stop
- Past stop
- Torch location
- Future stop
- Approximate route
- Find out more
Estimated arrival times
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Bournemouth
- Bournemouth pier
- pier entrance
- pier forecourt
- B3066 Bath Rd
- Russell Cotes Rd
- East Cliff Dr
- Manor Rd
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Boscombe
- Manor Rd
- A35 Christchurch Rd
- A35 Palmerston Rd
- A35 Centenary Way
- A35 Ashley Road
- A35 Christchurch Rd
- A35 Barrack Rd
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Christchurch
- A35 Barrack Rd
- High Street
- Castle Street
- Bridge Street
- Stony Lane
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Lyndhurst
- A35 Bournemouth Rd
- A35 High St
- A35 Gosport Ln
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Brockenhurst
- A337 Lyndhurst Rd
- Brockenhurst College
- North Rd
- A337 Lyndhurst Rd
-
Lymington
- A337 Southampton Rd
- St Thomas's St
- High St
- Gosport St
- B3054 Bridge Rd
-
Totland
- A3054 Colwell Rd
- B3322 The Broadway
- B3322 Church Hill
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The Needles Park
- Chairlift
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The Needles Park
- Chairlift
-
Yarmouth
- A3054 New Yar Bridge
- River Rd
- High St
- Baskett's Ln
- A3054 Tennyson Rd
-
Carisbrooke
- Gunville Rd
- Priory Rd
- B3401 High St
- B3323 Carisbrooke Rd
-
Newport
- B3323 Carisbrooke Rd
- B3323 High St
- A3054 Fairlee Rd
-
East Cowes
- A3021 Whippingham Rd
- Prince of Wales entrance
- Osbourne House Private Road
- Osbourne House Path
- Osbourne House
- Osbourne House Path
- The Avenue
- New Barn Rd
- A3021 York Ave
- Well Road
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Southampton
- ferry forecourt
- Bugle St
- Hamtun St
- Castle Way
- West St
- High St
- Above Bar Street
- New Rd
- Palmerston Road
- Houndwell Place
- A33 Evans St
- St Mary's St
- Chapel Rd
- Granville Street
- Stanford Street
- Malborough Street
- St Mary's Stadium Entrance
- Pitch Side
- St Mary's Stadium Entrance
- Marine Parade
- Chapel Road
- St Mary Street
- A33 Evans St
- Houndwell Pl
- Queensway
- Bernard Street
- High Street
- A3057 Town Quay
- Mayflower Park approach lane
- Mayflower Park
Evening Celebration
Mayflower Park, Southampton
Torch Relay News
Watch/Listen
-
Watch Olympic torch relay highlights -
Watch 'Olympomania' at Hyde Park -
Watch Torch visits Downing Street -
Watch 'Eddie and Patsy' carry flame -
Watch Bollywood star carries flame -
Watch Olympic torch: Banks at Wembley -
Watch Torch visits EastEnders set -
Watch Tennis stars in Olympic torch relay -
Watch South London hosts torch relay -
Watch Skier takes flame on London Eye
0757: Good morning and welcome to day 57 of the torch relay.
Today the torch travels from Bournemouth to Southampton. And it will take a trip over the Solent to the Isle of Wight where Dame Ellen MacArthur will carry the flame.
0759: Your writers this morning are Sarah Holt and Claire Heald.
We should see the first torchbearer here at Bournemouth Pier any moment.
0810: We caught a glimpse there of the first torchbearer on the pier.
0811: First to carry the torch on day 57 in her hometown is Mariam Kazem-Malaki. The 19-year-old volunteers on the TEAM anti-discrimination project which combats racism and bullying among young people.
0813: The Olympic flame is now in the skilled hands of Ryan Proudley, who is an assistant instructor at the Dorset Taekwondo Association.
He's also a qualified referee and corner judge.
0819: Here's Dorset swimmer Jay Lelliott. The 17-year-old is in the top-10 British rankings for 200m butterfly and 100m backstroke and wants to climb even higher so he can represent Team GB at the next Olympics.
Jay was a latecomer to competitive swimming as he had surgery to removed a brain tumour when he was 12.
0821: Gorgeous views of sunny Bournemouth's beaches there. The torch is winding its way up to Boscombe first thing this morning.
0823: Lovely views across to Old Harry there, and the Studland Peninsula.
0825: Is it that warm in Bournemouth already this morning? Topless man on balcony there, either he's dashed to see the torch early, or it's toasty already by the sea.
0826: Carrying the torch along the East Cliff Drive here is multi-talented sportswoman Sue Stearn. The 56-year-old is a swimming coach in Dorset, has organised football events for youngsters, notably at the London Youth Games, and plays hockey and rugby. As Sue's nomination says: "Her interest in sport knows no boundaries."
0828: If you've ever doubted that there's money to be made in kebabs then doubt no more and meet our next torchbearer Alimjan Halik.
The 41-year-old from China has made his living selling shashlik kebabs, a form of shish kebabs, and has now set up his own fund to help educate students from rural areas.
0832: With gorgeous views of the coastline behind, and probably lots of people catching a glimpse of him from the hotels on the north side of the road, we are looking out for wacky behaviour from our next torchbearer Peter Phillips?
The 65-year-old is known in the community for hosting scout camp fires dressed in various guises and one turned up as a prehistoric man on a wooden bike with square tyres. Good luck riding that round the Olympic velodrome.
0834: Here's Tim Dence, who is described in a nomination as "a smasher".
He coaches a boys' football team at the weekends and is also the hare for young athletes to chase in cross country training!
Hands in the air, he's waving.
0840: The torch is making its way into Boscombe, where, if we get down to the shoreline, we might catch a glimpse of the break coming off the artificial reef.
The project to improve surfing conditions cost £3m but has been criticised for producing a short, infrequent shore break.
0841: David Clark-Wheeler works for the housing department of Bournemouth Borough Council but he's also been the council's charity organiser for the last three years. A brave man Dave, he once went in the stocks while other council staff threw wet sponges and custard pies at him.
Speedy runner too!
0841: Taking up the torch now is 86-year-old Sydney Dean, who has raised close to £500,000 for charity in his time.
Sydney also organises the carnival, fete and a holiday club for children in Swanmore. He's being chivvied along now by a burst of Eye of the Tiger and a shout of "Let's make some noise." Nonplussed, Sydney carries on at his own pace.
0846: The torch passes now to 82-year-old Eileen Gatwar from Poole.
She's been an active volunteer for the church, Mother's Union and Victim Support. She still volunteers for the Witness Support programme, which provides support for people who are appearing in court.
Her husband: Tony Gatward said this morning: "I am extremely proud of her, she's worked very hard - she deserves this and I really hope she'll remember it as a wonderful day."
0848: Team GB scarf wrapped around someone's shoulders there. The marketing has promoted the "different ways to wear it". Has that wearer gone for "cape".
0851: Lovely patriotic dress there, ladies and gents.
0857: Taking the Olympic flame now is Connor Dawson. Having spent a lot of time in hospital, the 19-year-old now works as a health care assistant in a local hospital and is now working towards becoming a nurse.
0857: Nice cycling along the torch route effort from a person in a wolf headdress there, keeps popping up by the torch, so it's obviously a top way to keep up with the relay.
Other than torchcam, of course.
0901: Our next torchbearer should have a spring in his step.
It's trampoline gymnast Nathan Bailey from Bournemouth. The 18-year-old is a junior world champion and now represents Team GB in the seniors.
0904: We have another gymnast now with Nishan Brooks. The 14-year-old from Bournemouth coaches at a local gymnastics club and his ambition is to become a doctor and work for Unicef.
0912: This is Chenbing Mao from Aojiang in China. The 25-year-old has a rare blood type and so is always on hand to make donations when she can.
0916: Christchurch, where the torch is coming into now, was built where the rivers Avon and Stour come together and flow into the town's harbour. It was originally called Twynham, but hey, that was back before 1094 AD.
The area is also home to the beautiful Highcliffe Castle, with paths down to the beach below, and Mudeford, which has a colourful smuggling history, and today its Spit is home to many beach huts.
0917: Big crowds this morning along Barrack Road here.
0919: "Look at the flame," says Sam Flintham-Ward, as he points to the flame.
0922: Blowing kisses and waving to the crowds now is Anne Nugent and she's living proof that it's never too late too learn.
The 65-year-old didn't learn to swim until the age of 30 because she was frightened of water. Anne now teaches all age groups at the Ringwood Swim Academy and has won the BBC South Sports Personality of the Year Award.
0928: This is 18-year-old Adam Taylor.
Adam has been in full-time care since he was 10 and his nomination says he has remained focused despite dealing with extreme family difficulties. He's now a keen rugby player and uses sport to work through any negative feelings.
0934: This was rapper Wretch 32 after his leg in Boscombe this morning.
0937: Caron Rogers from Bournemouth passes on the Olympic flame now.
Caron was a British triathlon champion back in the day and is now a running coach as well as a beach warden and organiser of street parties.
0939: Here's the fantastically-named Annick Simon De Froimon-Hollins. The 49-year-old is learning to run again after pelvic reconstructive surgery. Before her operation, she ran multiple marathons for charity and it's her ambition to run the London Marathon again.
0944: The BBC's Radio Solent reports from ahead on the relay route: "The torch relay is still over half and hour away and Lyndhurst is buzzing!"
0946: Jacqui Seymour has the Olympic flame now. She's a teacher and sports co-ordinator at Highcliffe St Mark Primary School.
0949: We have another international guest from China now. It's Xiaoting Peng. She used to be a long jump athlete but has hung up her spikes and now is a volunteer teacher.
0952: Pictures are dropping in and out here, but our reporters tell us that in Christchurch, Union Jack bunting has been strung from the houses and the sound of vuvuzelas were creating a party atmosphere in the crowd.
BBC Radio Solent reporter, Lawrence Herdman said: "If you were giving an award for the number of Union Jack flags, Christchurch must be top of the list!"
0956: The flame is being put in the bus and the convoy is taking off to Lyndhurst.
1001: Lyndhurst is in the New Forest, and its church of St. Michael and All Angels boasts a fresco and William Morris-designed stained glass windows.
Alice Liddell, who inspired the Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, is buried there.
1007: Keep an eye out for the famous ponies as we travel through the New Forest here.
It was created as royal hunting forest in the 11th Century by William 1 - aka William the Conqueror.
Today it's a national park and a large area of unenclosed pasture, heathland and forest.
It's called new, because it brought the farms and hamlets of the area into one single "new" area.
Brilliant for cyclists too. At torchcam towers we dream of heading out on two wheels there.
1009: Visit Britain has tweeted this picture of Lymington in the height of summer - oh hang on we are in the height of summer! Anyway they say it's "a gorgeous harbour town just south of the New Forest National Park".
1015: Morning Lyndhurst! Your torch is with you. First up here is Kangjing He.
1018: Wendy Benson has the Olympic torch now. And it's welcome back to the rain.
It's hard to sum up the 52-year-old in a sentence as she's a runner, fencer, hockey and rugby player as well as a fundraiser and former Ministry of Defence police officer.
Wendy had to take things a lot easier after having most of her left lung removed but she is slowly returning to fitness.
1019: Lovely dancing from Wendy as she waits a second with the torch there.
1021: Join us on our Facebook page this morning as we travel through this beautiful part of the world. The New Forest and the Bournemouth beaches are hot spots for holiday-makers, so tell us if you've been, or are lucky enough to live there.
Brian MacElwee tells us: "The beach is excellent this morning."
And Maggie McClymont is taking in the sights of the British seaside. She says: "Did I really just see a man in a dressing gown and a flat cap??"
1022: With a "bum bump" as opposed to a "fist bump" as the torch is handed over, this is Ferndown's Susan Rae, who's been treasurer of the East Dorset branch of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research for nearly 40 years. She's organised loads of events including teddy bear sales and bric-a-brac stalls.
1023: Fabulous bunting, Lyndhurst, if we may say so.
1023: And the crowds are something too. BBC Radio Solent reporter Tim Robinson says: "I've been following this torch for three days and nowhere has been as packed as this - every single vantage point is taken."
1024: Our next torchbearer Tao Wen might like to know that the weather forecast in Shanghai today is heavy rain so this drizzly weather in Lyndhurst is home-from-home for him.
Tao has been a footballer, a taxi driver and a professional racer and a fundraiser.
1028: A short hop in the van now to Brockenhurst. Keep an eye out for those ponies. If we were doing a car trip-style points system, we would say 20 points for a pony-spot.
1029: Hello to Pam Roach who has tweeted: "Watching the Torch Relay on TorchCam. Lyndhurst is *heaving*. Will honestly go and do some work after it's got to Lymmers. @bbc2012"
1030: Roadside wavers. Hellooo!
1034: Brockenhurst, the torch is arriving now.
Keep an eye out for the distinctive quiff of film critic Mark Kermode among the most populous village of the Forest.
We're expecting lots of students here, as Brockenhurst college is nearby.
And while we're animal spotting, it's five points for a dog-spot on the relay. Look - lovely Alsatian there.
1034: First up with the torch in Brockenhurst is Ellie Kirby. She's a footballer for Colden Common Girls' football team and also plays badminton for Hampshire's development squad. She's recently been appointed a sports leader and ambassador at her college.
1036: This is Southampton's Steve Baker running with the torch now. He's involved in a charitable project to build new schools in Africa.
1039: Great drumming band at Brockenhurst College here.
1040: To the sounds of the woman on the PA, Ben Pugh takes on the torch.
The 28-year-old is a keen rower and coaches juniors at Molesey Boat Club.
1041: The torch is due to take its morning tea break here and will be back on the road at about 11:00BST.
1052: BBC Radio Solent's Neil Sackley is trying to report over the deafening noise of the samba drums at Brockenhurst College, where the torch is enjoying a tea break.
"The scene here is just phenomenal, they are 20 deep lining the banks, welcoming the torch to the college," he says.
"The atmosphere is just electric".
1057: Rather disturbing the local MC at Brockenhurst says: "We're about to be lit from the flame."
Thankfully, she is only talking about the torch and we are off again. Ben has the torch again and he runs past a brass band decked out in smart red uniforms.
A shout-out to Pete Dibben, who is staying up Stateside to tweet: "@BBC2012 Watching the torch go through my old home area of Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst & Lymington, from Chicago.... am getting all emotional!!"
The torch is slowing make its way to the ferry to bob over to the Isle of Wight at lunchtime.
1102: Xuerui Wang from Zhuhai City has the Olympic flame now and she's holding it high for the gathered crowd in Brockenhurst to see.
Still, no sign of those wild ponies... A BBC Torch Relay HQ colleague says they were once in Brockenhurst and saw a pony standing at a cash machine. Let's hope it wasn't getting caught up in horserace-fixing. Back to the relay...
1105: Xuerui ends her relay leg with a big smile and, once a train has trundled past at a level crossing, the convoy team are off to Lymington.
Thanks to Sandy Cunningham who has solved the pony mystery via Twitter: "@BBC2012 The ponies are all the other side of cattle grids on the torch's route." Sad news Sandy, sad news.
1109: So, our next stop is Lymington. It's a Georgian market town on the edge of the ancient woodlands of the New Forest, has a global reputation as a sailing venue and it's a pleasant place to pop into a shop or two on a Saturday afternoon too.
1111: And we're off. Carrying the flame through his home town is Charlie Chase-Meares. The 17-year-old is a dancer and hopes to turn professional as well as sturdy choreography. Charlie says: "I can't imagine doing anything else in my life that makes me feel so alive and free."
1114: Charlie emerges from under a bridge, does a sashaying dance move and high-fives some of his mates who've turned out to support him. That was a super-quick stint thanks to Charlie's dancing feet.
Next up is the exotically-named Calypso Ranshaw. The 17-year-old hopes to sail for Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games. She's in the junior squad and also teaches younger children to sail.
1117: This is 12-year-old Eden Crumplin, who is a budding cross country runner. She links arms with Calypso before her run and she's off.
Eden has got a nice bouncy stride which she interrupts with some sidesteps and high knee raises. All part of her athletic training regime, we're sure.
1120: Here's Sylvia Comber, who's a trampoline coach in the Alton area. The 60-year-old travel the UK to support her junior jumpers in competitions and has recently guided two of her disabled trampolinists into national finals.
1124: Brollies are canopying the route as the rain is really coming down now in Lymington. Charity marathoner Lesley Cook is wearing a poncho as she begins her stint.
Her nomination says: "She has never come remotely close to winning anything (though did once inadvertently and only because she was the oldest woman in a race, win a trophy) but her participation is a source of tremendous excitement to her and to those who have watched her run."
She recently lost her Great Dane Shadow, her training partner, and was nominated as a tribute to him.
1128: The BBC's eagle-eyed Katie Townsend, who's part of the torch relay team, has just snapped this picture of Lesley in her poncho.
Yikes! Lesley looked absolutely soaked at the end of her stint. Someone get a towel!
1129: A new one here for torch relay nominations we feel - Christopher Clark is a former champion sea angler, who won more than 20 world championship medals. So this downpour should be water off, um, an angler's back for him.
He teaches England Juniors as part of his mission to involve more young people in the sport.
1131: A torchbearer after our own heart here at torchcam towers. Leslie Cupis "cycles to work in all weathers". Good man. Let's see what his wet-weather jogging style is like.
Hoods up, brollies up. "I love the rain," shouts a desperate voice from the crowd. Hmmmm.
1134: Fear not, these soggy conditions have not quashed the enthusiasm of the crowds packed along Lymington High Street. St Thomas' church is looming large in the background as Xingfen Wu runs with the torch past the Saturday market stalls.
She's from Jiangsugaoyou in China, and set up a "left-behind children's home" to look after children whose parents are earning money in other cities.
1137: Our last torchbearer here, before the flame heads off to take a trip on the Isle of Wight ferry - lucky thing - is Hengju Yu, from Xingtai City, a graduate who volunteers to help students who can't pay their teaching fees.
And this is a jolly start as Hengju sets off with a big smile and an enthusiastic waving action.
1139: Ahh, there's a now familiar sight on the Olympic torch relay, a town crier. This chap is decked out in royal blue. Bet his tricorne hat is handy for keeping out the rain. Shall we add town criers to the pony and dog spotting torch relay bingo?
1139: This is some of the rainiest rain we've seen on the torch relay. BBC Radio Solent has tweeted this picture of it "Lashing down in Lymington. Hope flame doesn't go out #torchrelay #solenttorch"
1143: That's a wrap for the relay leg through Lymington. The torch relay convoy has just passed a sign for the Isle of Wight ferry, which is handy as that's where the Olympic flame is heading next.
1145: So this is the queue for the ferry across the Solent. All out above deck for the crossing once we're on board, people.
1151: The convoy is due to make a crossing just after 12:00 BST. And if we are above deck and can bring you pictures of the seascape, we will.
This is also the torch's lunchtime stop.
1152: Hello to BBC's Neil Sackley, who's been following the torch relay today, and says on Twitter. "If you're thinking it's just a flame & no big deal, change your mind. The atmosphere & welcome for the #torchrelay is electric. #solenttorch"
1208: Where to start with facts about the often sunny (perhaps not today, though) and fun-for-holiday-makers Isle of Wight?
It's a county in its own right, and was for a while a kingdom in the 15th Century.
It hosts the famous sailing event - Cowes Week - and round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur will take up the torch in Cowes today.
1212: The holiday home of Queen Victoria is there, Osborne House. As is the family fun destination, Blackgang Chine, which is well known for being the victim of coastal erosion.
1213: Looks like we are heading on to the ferry here. Moderate conditions out there today, apparently. Rain and thundery showers.
1215: Looking calm on the water here, in sheltered Lymington Harbour.
1218: The Isle of Wight music festival takes place every year. This year there was traffic trouble on the island, as rain caused access problems to the site.
1220: The torch will travel to the landmark of the Needles chalk stacks on the edge of the island today.
And it will ride on the chairlift down to Alum Bay beach.
1225: Off across the Solent to Yarmouth, now.
1244: Linda Winstanley is enjoying the blustery sea-bound footage from the Isle of Wight ferry. She tweets: Great footage from Olympic Torchcam right now on the Solent to IoW @BBC2012. I'm doing that journey next Sat too. Brings a tear to my eye.
Don't forget you can tune in to our torchcam footage on the red button on your TV from 1400-1900 today.
1253: BBC Radio Solent has tweeted a picture of the torch in transit on the Lymington to Yarmouth ferry, followed by a mini flotilla:
1259: Welcome to the Isle of Wight where it looks a bit blustery. Soon the convoy should be on the road to Totland where we will see the island's first torchbearer.
1311: Hattie Gould is our first runner on the Isle of Wight. She's a sport fanatic and is already coaching and umpiring junior matches as she plans ahead to become a sports teacher. The 16-year-old from Frampton also hopes to represent her country in hockey and netball.
1314: If you've played football on the Isle of Wight then it's likely that Jimmy Morris has had a hand in it. The 72-year-old is at the heart of his local football team, organising matches, preparing pitches and cleaning changing rooms.
1321: This is Yingliang Zhu from Shanghai. And it's a lively stint for him with the torch as he peppers his run with hops, skips and leaps.
1323: Here's Mark Roberts, 35. He's trained with the island's Special Olympics team and has represented the Isle of Wight several times a year in athletics. He recently also learned to ride a bicycle and his nomination states: "He has achieved so much, well above the expectations of medical professionals. Mark is our inspiration, but overlooked by others."
1326: Chosen to take the Olympic flame to The Needles in just a matter of minutes is islander Dave Ouston, who's also running a leg through Totland now. He set up street pastors on the Isle of Wight, who are there to help between 10pm and 3am on weekends in Ryde, Ventnor and Newport. They aim to help people by offering comfort, security, conversation and even flip-flops to those who can no longer manage in high heels.
1329: Dave looks like a popular chap. He's waving to the spectators on either side and even treats them to a 360 degree turn as he walks past a flagpole with a flapping Union Jack.
1330: And so we're off to The Needles, the series of five iconic chalk stacks that rise out of the sea. Thes towering, white rocks have always been a hazard to ships making their way up the Solent and a lighthouse was built at the tip of the rocks in 1859 to warn seafarers of the dangers. A helipad was added to the top of the lighthouse in 1987.
1342: We apologise for the lack of pictures from this westerley tip of the Isle of Wight. Our colleagues at the scene report that the torchbearer has just boarded the chairlift that runs between the top of The Needles Park cliff and the beach of Alum Bay below.
The BBC's Alex Dyke is waiting at The Needles watching the moving chairlift and said: "We're right on the south west corner of the Isle of Wight, above are rolling hills topped with heather, there are patches of blue sky but there is a great air of anticipation - and this is a great backdrop for it."
1345: Bingo! #bbctorchcam is back and is bringing you live pictures of the entrance to The Needles Pleasure Park.
Meanwhile, here's a soundbite from Dave Ousten, charged with carrying the Olympic flame on the chairlift: "I'm really scared, it's very blowy!"
1400: Bunting aflutter on those cliff tops. Or, as a colleague at BBC Torch Relay HQ put it, "bunting just hanging on".
Meanwhile, thanks to Blaine Walsh, who sent in this photo via Twitter from the torch relay's earlier leg through Lymington. Blaine said: "@BBC2012 Despite the rain we had a great time watching the flame at lymington. Really the kids did have fun!"
1408: The torch relay convoy is back on the move and heading to Yarmouth.
1416: Getting us up and running again along the quay at Yarmouth is Richard Pearson, who coaches young athletes. His club has a youth development programme to promote athletics to children of all ages.
1419: During #bbctorchcam's downtime, we're sorry to say we missed Laura Carlisle's turn with the flame. She plays netball at a senior level, having earned a sports apprenticeship at the Hampshire Netball Academy, aged 14.
Her grandfather Peter J Roland carried the Olympic torch in 1948 for Gosport Athletic Club and her family still has the torch.
Luckily the BBC's Alex Dyke was on hand to report: "The wind was really buffeting those flames, but Laura looked happy and waving. She passed the crowd to big applause at the end of a very historic day for her."
1420: And here's our next torchbearer Harriet Little, who's doing well to negotiate her wheelchair over some humps and up a slight hill in Yarmouth.
The 14-year-old's nomination states that she takes part in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair archery, both of which require a lot of practice and training. It adds: "She hasn't given up despite the doctors not knowing what is wrong with her after five years of investigations."
1424: A local police officer manages to take a quick snap before Sophie Wade-Smith takes on the torch. The 19-year-old likes to live life in the fast lane - she did a skydive in March, raising £1,260 for Holidays4Heroes and she has also raised £4,700 for Wave 105 Cash for Kids by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Her nomination states she hopes to continue fundraising into next year.
1426: It's goodbye Yarmouth and, after a short trip along the coast road, hello Carisbrooke, home to the famous Carisbrooke Castle where King Charles I was imprisoned. And if you fancy, you can play bowls on the green Charles used too.
1431: While the torch vehicles are in motion - it's time for a change around here in BBC torch towers. Jenny Minard and Helen Bushby here as your writers for this afternoon.
1435: We should be arriving in Carisbrooke very shortly, keep your eyes peeled for that castle.
1441: The first torchbearer is Colin Mcarthur, 60. He was nominated by one of his five sons. He is blind and raises thousands of pounds for a charity which funds the repairing and restoration of the sight of thousands of people.
Earlier the flame travelled on a ferry. "Two Captains, a flame and a torch," tweets the ferry company.
What more is there to say.
1447: This is Sarita Jarrett, 39, who suffers from "severe illness", with her nomination describing her as being "in bed and in constant pain". She is a trained counsellor who aims to "help as many people as possible to deal with problems and learn to live a content life whatever circumstances they may face in life".
1457: This is Lee Matthews, 44, who helps organise the International Island Games, for which 3,500 athletes are drawn from 24 islands to compete - last year they were held on the Isle of Wight. His nomination states he has been involved in all aspects of the Games including "litter picking and everything in between".
1459: Wow, did you see that? A very excitable lady in Union jack trousers and big sunglasses is moved out of the way for Lee.
1459: Carrying the torch is Shula Smith, 18, who is a member of the Air Training Corps and has her nomination says she has "encouraged many other young people to excel and exceed their own expectations in athletics, flying, gliding, shooting and adventure training drill".
1502: This is Christina Loosemore. Her father earlier told BBC Radio Solent: "I'm so proud, I'm very nervous - more than her. I'm just so excited. It's the best thing ever.
"I'm really tearful, she's been looking forward to this for a long time."
She has cerebral palsy and has just completed a charity walk for the local hospice, managing seven and a half miles with walking sticks and two carers.
1510: The weather is apt for Scottish Olympic gold-medal winning sailor Shirley Robertson who is carrying the flame through Newport.
1513: Oooooh that looks like a pretty cottage-style pub on the right.... and people throwing ticker tape out of the windows.
1516: Look at those crowds - children jumping and waving flags. There are even people on the roof.
1518: Aston Villa and Crawley Town fan Barry Small was nominated by his wife. He had a brain tumour removed in 2009.
1519: Oh dear - the weather doesn't look like it's going to be great this evening in Southampton, where the flame will be ending up.
Dan Jaspers tweets: "Apt? Choice of footwear by one audience member at the Southampton Olympics torch relay celebrations."
1514: This is Jonathan Eggett who is used to travelling long distances, having raised more than £3000 for various charities through events including a John O'Groats to Lands End and Coast-to-Coast 1,100-mile cycle ride in 2010 for Marie Curie Cancer Support. He also fundraises for disabled children's charity Whizz Kidz.
1526: Right! We want to hear form you now as you watch the torch relay. The flame is still on the Isle of Wight and we want to know:
If you were castaway on an island (okay this one isn't deserted but work with us on this)... what would you take as your one luxury item.
Tweet @bbc2012 or Facebook us and join in the fun.
At torch towers Helen says: "An e-reader rammed packed with books to read. Also some electricity to power the gadget."
Jenny says: "My generic mp3 player, like Helen - but this time packed full of tunes. Can't live without it."
Claire Heald would take a bicycle - sporty.
Jane Mower loves chocolate eggs, she clearly still thinks it's Easter.
1535: The flame is now travelling to East Cowes. It is separated from its sister town, Cowes, by the River Medina.
Some very sentimental replies here on what your luxury item would be on a desert island.
Scott Knobby tweets: "All five of my kids, oh and the wife."
And there is a Formula 1 fan here... Stephanie Parker tweets: "I'd take Lewis Hamilton with me and maybe he'd bring his Olympic torch."
1542: The flame is now in East Cowes and this is keen gymnast Ruth Smith, 16. She has scoliosis and had nine hours of spinal surgery when she was 12.
Her nomination states that within four months of her surgery she was back training at her club and took part in the Teamgym British Championships and represented GB at the European Teamgym championships in Malmo in 2010.
1549: The flame is now at Osborne House where it will be stopping for a brief photograph.
1553: Did you know, you can watch the relay on your TV too... just click on your red button this afternoon to watch it.
Brian MacElwee on Facebook has been watching online today and has a very clever answer for our question about your luxury desert island items.
"I would take my laptop - so that if I could get access, I could e-mail and send for help and tell people where I am."
1558: As you can see from that enormous sign, the flame is at Queen's Gate. Lovely effort there from a torch spectator.
1601: And here comes the torchbearer Francesca Barnes.
1605: Plenty of thought about treasured items if you're on a desert island.
On Facebook:
Melonie Pickering says: "If I were castaway on a desert island the luxury item I would take is a kettle. Because if I don't get my daily intake of coffee there's trouble.
Elizabeth Finley adds: "A fire starting kit so I could boil water.
Trying to get away from the island is Malc Barker who says: "A boat."
And Jackie Sealey says: "It would have to be my contact lenses - and a pair of scissors." That's two items Jackie, but we'll give you it."
On Twitter:
Max Edwards says: "Johnny Depp."
1606: Here is keen athlete and road runner Gerry North, 76, helps coach aspiring athletes at Portsmouth's Mountbatten Centre and according to his nomination, his nickname is "The Legend". It adds that he received an award from England Athletics in 2010 for services to athletics.
People running alongside him are carrying a huge sign which says "Go Gerry". Plenty of support there then.
1610: Here she comes. Ellen MacArthur! The round the world yachtswoman is carrying the flame.
Clearly a fan, Emily tweets: "Just saw Ellen MacArthur. This is all so wow."
1613: It was brief but the crowd seemed to enjoy it. The convoy team are now getting ready to take the flame to the ferry terminal for its crossing to Southhampton.
The final destination on today's relay.
There are reports that crowds are already staking out their spot at Mayflower Park to witness the lighting of the cauldron there later on.
1619: The flame is leaving the Isle of Wight.
1619: Tonight there will be a special programme from BBC Radio Solent live at the evening celebration at 1800 BST so if you fancy tuning into that then you can.
1623: The flame will take about an hour to be transported across the sea.
While we're waiting for it to get there why not see a selection of pictures from today's relay.
Why not follow our lead here at torch towers and pop on the kettle or have an afternoon snack.
If you're got the children with you on this Saturday afternoon, then you could have a look at BBC Radio 5 live's Kid's Guide to the Olympics.
1647: "We are told there is going to be a Titanic moment," says BBC Radio Solent's Neil Sackley who is on the ferry.
"They will be holding the flame aloft on the Red Eagle ferry - it's going to be a real display as the flotilla comes into Southampton."
1700: According to BBC Radio Solent - the Red Eagle ferry is the flagship of Red Funnel's fleet and its funnel is now painted with a Union flag to mark the torch's journey.
Just after 17:00 BST four cruise liners are expected to have an "exchange of horns" as they pass the Red Eagle - they are the Oriana, Azura, Independence Of The Seas and MS Astor.
1713: We're told the cruiseliners have just sounded their horns in salute to the Red Eagle, and the Red Eagle has responded! Very very loudly.
It's due to arrive in Southampton in the next 15 minutes.
1733: BBC Radio Solent's Neil Sackley says: "The Red Eagle is a couple of minutes away from docking and an Olympic torch has come out and is being held aloft by a woman on the top car deck.
"No one has been scheduled to hold the flame but looking at what she's wearing she looks like one of the out runners".
1750: The boat has docked at Southampton and there are hundreds of people waiting to greet the convoy of vehicles. Umbrellas are up but flags are waving too.
1752: Retired social worker Hilary Corrick, 68, is making light work of jogging with the torch. She is also a member of The Running Sisters, a women's-only running group, and helps with the training. Her nomination says she "regularly takes part in charity runs and half-marathons".
1756: Chris Goodwin, 42, has taken the flame from Hilary and is jogging with his chaperone. He is a blind triathlete and was a World Silver Medallist in 2010. He said in his nomination: "By telling my story at local schools and on blogs I have inspired others to realise the potential in themselves, and take on the challenges that sport presents. Paratriathlon is not a sport for London 2012 so carrying the torch will be my way of living the Olympic dream."
1756: The streets are lined with torch fans, who are all taking photos of the torchbearer and flame despite the raindrops. Don't forget you can access torchcam on the red button on your TV until 1900.
1811: The nomination for Jim Whitmarsh simply states: "Runs marathons!" so this leg of the relay is a stroll in the park for him. He first ran in 1999 for a cot death charity and his nomination says that now aged 76, he is still fundraising for Macmillan cancer support and diabetes charities.
1817: Apologies for the loss of picture, the 3G signal is proving to be patchy. It will return as soon as possible.
1818: Bruce Elkins has managed an easy jog with the torch. He originated the New Forest Children's Triathlon 10 years ago, according to his nomination. It now takes place annually and this year 260 children took part in three age groups.
1823: Next up with the torch is Ian Chalk, 47, an athletics coach and competitor who also works with older people and the disabled.
1831: This is Alice Constance. We apologise for the loss of pictures but it does seem to be due to the large volumes of people in Southampton.
More people = more using the 3G signal, and that's what we're using to broadcast from.
1835: This is the flame when it was taken to St Mary's Stadium in the town.
1843: Apologies again for the lack of picture. It is returning intermittently so keep watching!
1845: William Dowdall, 86, was due to run in Southampton. He served with the Royal Navy on the destroyer HMS Undaunted. He suffered a mini stroke at 71 and part of his recovery was to have a goal - to run the London Marathon at 73. He has since gone on to complete eight marathons in total raising nearly £16,000 for a cancer charity.
1847: In the meantime, we can tell you a bit about Southampton. It is the home of the Southampton Boat show each September, one of the biggest water based boat shows in Europe.
1851: This is Kyle Jones who according to his nomination: "Is full of enthusiasm, cheerful, friendly and wonderfully caring of his peers." He has cerebral palsy, hearing loss and visual difficulties when playing inclusive sporting activities and games.
1855: Harry Stickland, 23, is jogging with the torch. He joined the National Youth Panel for hockey in 2006 and has chaired it since. and has also volunteered at more than 50 hockey events for hockey including the Junior Men's World Cup in Kuala Lumpar and the Youth Olympics in Singapore.
1901: Gillian Rose,44, is the last torchbearer of the day. She lost her husband Chris to cancer but her nomination says she was determined not to let herself become introverted or lonely. She took up running as one of her new hobbies and found that she excelled at it. She has completed three marathons and qualified for the London Marathon as a "good for age" athlete.
1910: That's it from Helen and Jenny here at BBC torch towers. Thank you for joining us and if you want to relive the moments from today's relay then check out these pictures.
You can now listen to a special programme from BBC Radio Solent who are live at the torch celebration in Mayflower Park.
Tomorrow the flame will be travelling from Southampton to Portsmouth, taking in the islands of Guernsey and Jersey.
See you bright and early at 06:00 BST torch cam fans.
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