Revealed! Olympic torch relay route will visit 1,018 locations in 70 days
The torch's route will begin at Land's End. Photo: PA
The full 2012 Olympics torch relay route has been announced today - and it will visit 1,018 towns and cities during an 8,000-mile trek around Britain over 70 days.
The relay will start in Land's End in Cornwall on 19 May 2012, and end at the Olympic Stadium in East London for the opening ceremony on 27 July 2012.
On its way, the torch will be carried by everything from horse to hot air balloon on a route, it is claimed, that will see 95% of the population come within ten miles of it.
Hadrian's Wall. Photo: PA
Less than 2,000 of the 8,000 miles will be a traditional relay run, with each torchbearer travelling approximately 300 yards each, and the vast majority of the route will be covered by car.
The flame will travel clockwise around Britain, visiting every country and borough, including the Shetland Islands and Chanel Islands, before arriving in London.
And, every evening it will stop over in a different city, where a festival will be held to celebrate it.
The Tower of London. Photo: PA
On its journey, the flame will pass by some of Britain's greatest landmarks, from Stone Henge to Hadrian;s Wall, and will even spend one of its final nights locked in the Tower of London.
According to the Daily Mail, it will be carried to the summit of Snowdon and travel in a sidecar on the Isle of Man's TT route, as well as 'abseil' down Grimsby dock tower and travel in a helium balloon above the Eden Project's rainforest in Cornwall.
It will even ride white water rapids in Hertfordshire and traverse the Tyne Bridge on a zip wire.
Thankfully, tests have shown that the flame can withstand water spray, 20mph speed and 35mph winds.
It will be protected by an 11-car convoy of Metropolitan Police officers, who will run and walk beside the 8,000 bearers, who have all been chosen for their 'inspirational personal story'.
The Eden Project. Photo: PA
The flame will be lit in Greece on 18 May, and the 'mother flame' will travel by plane to the UK in a miner's lantern the next day.
It will then be used to light the first of the individual aluminium torches to be carried by the torchbearers.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has urged the public to organise celebrations to support the 70-day relay, telling the Mirror: 'We saw the appetite around the royal wedding, that's what we want. Everyone is invited to plan a welcome and find out where they can go to be a part of this.'
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