Graduate designer unveils the torch that will illuminate epic American adventure

This is the striking and symbolic torch which will be carried by thousands of runners as they make their way across 14 American states in an epic relay.

One Run for Boston II is aiming to raise one million dollars to help those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, and will set out from California Today (Sunday 16 March).

Thousands of people will then carry the torch, designed by Plymouth University graduate Jon Parlby, as it makes its way across America to the scheduled finish in Boston on Sunday 13 April.

The 3,500-mile relay, being sponsored by Plymouth University, will raise money for the One Fund Boston, set up by the city’s Mayor to assist the victims and families of the bombings.

The first One Run for Boston was staged in June 2013 and Jon, a graduate from the BA (Hons) Product Design programme, designed a torch to look like a lily – a symbol of sympathy, passion and hope.

He said: “This year’s design continues the theme of the peace lily from last year, but I wanted to expand on that theme by visually enhancing its aesthetics.

"The new design is made from several component parts and at night, the baton lights up with a green stem and white head. It is bright enough to light the road for the runners.

"Acting again as a symbol of hope and solidarity I am hopeful that the runners carrying it feel a sense of attachment to it.”

One Run for Boston is again being organised by friends Danny Bent, Kate Treleaven and Jamie Hay, from Devon in the UK, and the first event saw more than 2,000 runners carrying Jon’s specially designed torch across the United States. That baton, nicknamed ‘Miles’, was later presented to the Boston Athletic Association.

The second event will start on Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Beach, with runners then travelling through the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and finally, Massachusetts.

Co-organiser Danny Bent, who lives in Totnes, Devon, said: “This second event was inspired by runners in the States, who we have kept in touch with following the 2013 One Run for Boston.

"Many of them told us it changed their lives, fostering such an amazing spirit of positivity that it helped them recover from the Boston bombings and, in many cases, other personal tragedies.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support already received for 2014, and we hope it will continue to transform lives in Boston and beyond.”

For more details about One Run for Boston II, visit www.onerunforboston.org.