80 year old Mick to be a Batonbearer in Queen's Baton Relay

King's Lynn runner Mick Ennis said "It’s brilliant to be a Batonbearer for Her Majesty The Queen. I feel proud to be doing it.”

On Saturday morning at 8am the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive at Alive Lynnsport. There’s a free family fun-day taking place at the venue to celebrate the visit.

Alive Lynnsport in King’s Lynn will welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay between 8am and 9am on Saturday 9 July 2022.

Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity. One of the Batonbearers at Lynnsport will be Mick Ennis from King’s Lynn.

Nominated by Wendy Fisher from Ryston Runners. She said: “Mick Ennis is 80, and a running inspiration to many. He was a founder of King's Lynn Parkrun, and run director, running it most weeks & helps setting up. He started running regular 10k's during lockdown and has completed his 200th.

“Mick encourages everyone else to run and enjoy it, is an ambassador and welfare officer for Ryston Runners, and supporter of Race for Life. He does keep fit for his elderly neighbours, supports The Stroke Association, in memory of his late wife, and Myeloma, in memory of his late daughter. Mick is an example, motivator and gentleman.”

Mick Ennis said: “It’s nice to know that I inspire people to keep fit. I want to keep myself fit as long as I can, age doesn’t matter.

“It’s brilliant to be a Batonbearer for Her Majesty The Queen. I feel proud to be doing it.”

During its time in King’s Lynn, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Lynnsport and will experience a free family activity day.

The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in King’s Lynn includes:

• 8am-9am, Batonbearer will move around outdoor sports on the site, culminating at the Lynnsport Athletics Track with children’s activities.
• 8am-2pm, Free family activities including football, hockey, tennis, disability sports, skatepark, gymnastics, athletics and sports tasters.

The Queen’s Baton for Birmingham 2022 was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360-degree camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.

The relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton.

Since then, the Baton has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania. It still has further destinations in the Caribbean, the Americas, and more countries in Europe, including the Home Nations consisting of five days in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and five in Wales, where it will finish on Sunday 3 July, before returning to England in summer for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.