Torch designer to present iconic creation to Boston Marathon organisers

An iconic symbol which has lit up an epic relay across America will be presented to the organisers of the Boston Marathon at an emotional ceremony in the city.

Plymouth University student Jon Parlby designed the torch for One Run for Boston, which set off from Los Angeles on Friday 7 June and will arrive in Boston on Sunday 30 June.

During that time, the torch has been carried by more than 2,000 runners, and the 25-year-old is flying out to Boston this weekend to present his torch to Boston Marathon organiser Dave McGillivray.

One Run for Boston is the brainchild of friends Kate Treleaven, Danny Bent and Jamie Hay, all from the South West of England and who will also be at the event finale on Sunday.

It has so far raised thousands of dollars for The One Fund Boston, set up by the city’s Mayor to assist the victims and families most seriously affected by the marathon bombings on April 15.

During the three-week event, the torch has been carried 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 said: “Jon designed the baton to look like a lily, a symbol of sympathy, passion and hope. It is perfect for One Run for Boston, showing the solidarity among runners whilst we remember those most affected by the blast. By the end of the relay thousands of runners will have held the baton, and we will then hand it to the Boston Marathon organisers so it continues to act as a symbol of national and international support."

For more details about the event, visit www.onerunforboston.org or www.twitter.com/onerunforboston.