Skip to main content

Queen's Baton Relay Returns To RCT

QBR

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is on its way to Rhondda Cynon Taf!

It was last in our County Borough five years ago and was welcomed into Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd by thousands of well-wishers before it made its way to the Gold Coast in Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this July, the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay once again travels through Wales and makes a welcome return to Rhondda Cynon Taf on Saturday, July 2.

It will then make its way through England, finally ending up in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony at the Alexander Stadium on Thursday, July 28.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “It will be a huge honour to welcome the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay back to Rhondda Cynon Taf. 

“Ahead of every Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay undertakes a phenomenal journey, passing through many hands as it connects communities all over the Commonwealth.

“We look ahead to the Commonwealth Games this summer with great excitement and anticipation, and I would like to send my best wishes to all the athletes from Rhondda Cynon Taf competing, as well as those from across Wales.”

The Wales leg of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will begin in Anglesey on Wednesday, June 29, after coming in from Northern Ireland. It will travel through Wales over five days, visiting towns, villages, and key landmarks across North, West and South Wales. 

During its time in Rhondda Cynon Taf on Saturday, July 2, the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the popular Zip World Tower visitor attraction at Hirwaun at approximately 4pm. Home to Phoenix, the world’s fastest seated zip line, and Tower Coaster, the only one of its kind in Europe, Zip World Tower is situated on the site of the former Tower Colliery, nestled in the Rhigos mountain range at Hirwaun. 

Zip World Tower

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will then make its way to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s King George V Athletics Track at Clydach Vale, Rhondda, arriving approximately at 5pm. To welcome its arrival to the sports facility, Sport RCT, Welsh Athletics and Rhondda Athletics Club will be at the track delivering fun, junior athletics activities.

In recent years, the King George V athletics track has benefitted from £800,000 #RCTinvest funding, which has delivered a series of upgrades – including a new and improved athletics track surface, enhancements to field event areas, drainage improvements and the introduction of floodlights.

King George V Athletics Track

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay was launched last October by The Queen, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Baton is visiting all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth for 294 days, covering 140,000 kilometres.

The Queen’s Baton Relay first took place in 1958, ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.

Follow The Queen’s Baton Relay journey

Posted on 21/06/2022