Queen’s Baton Relay

The first DB Schenker Batonbearer carries GC2018 Baton through the streets of Griffith.

On the 25th of January 2018 with only 69 days until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Opening Ceremony, the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) has started its nationwide Relay in the nation’s capital, Canberra. The Queen’s Baton Relay is counting down the days until the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018). In Australia, the Queen’s Baton will traverse 40,000km, travelling through every state and territory for 100 days.
On Sunday 28th of January, the Queen’s Baton Relay reached Griffith, where a community celebration at the Griffith Community Gardens welcomed the final Batonbearer at 5:30pm. DB Schenker is proud to acknowledge our first Batonbearer Dale Paul who took part in that amazing event!
“The experience was nothing short of amazing and I really felt honoured to meet the other Baton Bearers and hear their stories,” said Dale Paul, DB Schenker Senior Solutions Analyst & Transport Projects. “The community of Griffith came out in force and cheered on all the walkers / runners in the 40 degree heat. It was a surreal feeling when you receive the baton from the previous person and all eyes are on you while the media vehicle blasts out music and shares your story with the supporters,” mention Dale.

Dale Paul receiving the commemorative framed certificate.
© https://www.gc2018.com/gallery/qbr-visits-griffith

Dale’s story
In 2013 Dale made a decision to put more focus on his health and started running. Over the course of the next 12 months, He was able to drop 20kg in weight and train hard enough to complete his first marathon in Canberra 2014. Fast forward 6 months and Dale was able to complete his second marathon in Sydney and improve his time by 30min, due to a better race preparation and strict hydration plan.
From a fellow DB Schenker employee Dale got informed about the famous 90km Comrades Marathon in South Africa (alternating Up and Down run from Durbin to Pietermaritzburg), and it was a challenge he could not resist accepting. In 2017, Dale was able to complete back to back attempts and finished the Up Run in 10hrs 7min (10hrs 22min was my time for the Down Run in 2016), which was well under the 12hr cut off in order to confirmed as a finisher.

“My running is something very important to me and I am lucky that there are so many people within the DB Schenker family that are aware of this and allow me the time required to hit the pavement and complete the training required,” Dale said.

Outside of running, Dale really enjoys playing soccer and spending time with the 3 major loves in his life- his wife Renee, daughter Jordan and son Brodie.

“The experience of being able to carry the Queens Baton is mind blowing and something I would have not picture for myself 5yrs ago. Looking back on this amazing running journey is something that helps to keep me motivated, focused and humble…..and I can’t ask for any more than that”.

“A wonderful journey that has created a lifelong memory for me and can't thank the town of Griffith enough for taking me as one of their own. Receiving the commemorative framed certificate after the event sure capped off a fantastic day,” mentioned Dale Paul, DB Schenker Senior Solutions Analyst & Transport Projects.

Approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry the Queen’s Baton across Australia. The Queen’s Baton Relay started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton. The Queen’s Baton has already been passed between thousands of people for 288 days across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000km.

Our second DB Schenker Batonbearer will take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay in Tasmania on the 7th of February. Good luck Sarah Schmitz! We all at DB Schenker are thinking of you. All the Best and see you at the finish!

The Queen’s Baton arrives on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where HRH The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.

We will keep you posted!

Map of the Queens Baton Relay in Australia

© NSW Sport Office https://sport.nsw.gov.au/news/2017Queens_baton

For further information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, head to https://www.gc2018.com/qbr

Find exactly what you are looking for

Select your location and language

Consent to use Cookies and collect data