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The North Queensland Sports Foundation is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with the 1956 Torchbearers Club, the association of runners who carried the Olympic flame during the historic 1956 Olympic Torch Relay more than 70 years ago.
The 1956 Olympic Torch Relay was the first Olympic flame relay ever held in Australia, carrying the torch thousands of kilometres from Cairns to Melbourne ahead of the Melbourne Olympic Games. Along the journey, hundreds of community torchbearers played a part in one of the nation’s most memorable Olympic traditions, helping inspire generations of Australian athletes.
This enduring relationship continues to celebrate the spirit, tradition, and history of athletics in Australia through the 1956ers Torchbearers 1500m Prized Race at the North Queensland Games.
Generously sponsored once again by the 1956 Torchbearers Club, the event featured a $2,000 prize purse shared among the podium finishers, adding extra excitement to one of the Games’ standout athletics events.
Congratulations to this year’s champions:
We were also honoured to welcome Hon. Bill Cummings, Secretary and Treasurer of the 1956 Torchbearers Club, who joined us for the Games Opening Ceremony before presenting medals and celebrating the event alongside athletes, officials, and supporters.
A sincere thank you to the 1956 Torchbearers Club for its continued generosity and commitment to preserving this incredible tradition. Your support helps keep the legacy of the 1956 Olympic Torch Relay alive for future generations of athletes.
We also extend our thanks to Athletics North Queensland for its support in delivering another successful and memorable event for competitors and spectators alike.
Congratulations to all athletes who took part in this year’s race and helped make the event another outstanding success.
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