Ten of Thomas Cook’s finest will be holding aloft the Olympic flame as it makes its journey across the country to the capital.
Specially selected, for their contributions to the company, Natalie King, Jonathon Fovargue, Dougie Gillespie, Mark Jolly, Gaynor Duckworth, Phillipa Millage, Peter Morgan, Jerry Ward, John Warr and wheelchair user Thomas Simpson will all have the honour of carrying the torch.
They will join 8,000 other torchbearers in the run-up to the event, and will follow in the footsteps of many illustrious athletes.
Managing director Stephen Vaughan led the tributes for the lucky torchbearers, he said: “The Olympic Torch is one of the most recognisable symbols of the modern Games and it’s an incredible honour for anyone to represent the nation in front of a worldwide audience.
“To carry the Olympic Torch is an enormous privilege and one that is only presented to a select few across the country.
“Our ten torchbearers have demonstrated how they have made an outstanding contribution, not only within our business, but by being inspirational to those around them.”
Putting in the hard yards on Sunday will be Thomas Cook’s Senior PR Manager, Nick Sandham, who is running the marathon for Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.
Follow Nick’s charitable efforts at @TCCcharity.
Run to the Greek sun – Make a marathon out of a holiday
The marathon concept originated in Greece, and today family holidays to this destination still give a feel for the country that spawned the 26-mile race.
Although races are now held worldwide, the first recorded “race” was made by a war hero from Athens in 490 BC. He ran nearly 26-miles from a town in Greece to the capital to spread word of a battle win.
But rather than pounding the streets if you prefer to kick off your trainers and just soak up the Greek sun than there are lots of great resorts where you can relax or try some great holiday activities that don’t usually involve blood, sweat and tears.
Don’t sweat it in Santorini
This island is the perfect place to sip a glass of locally-made wine while taking in the volcanic landscapes. If you book Santorini holidays then you’ll get a whole lot of Greek charm thanks to soaring cliffs topped with whitewashed houses. Smaller islands are reachable via quick ferries journeys if you want to explore, while the capital, Fira, has exclusive boutiques for shopping.
Cool off in Corfu
Lively resorts in Corfu can bring a party feel to your vacation to Greece and there are many cafes and restaurants to fill up in before you head out for the evening. And when the parties are finished, during the day there are long, beautiful beaches to chill out on. Days can also be packed with fun activities that show off the island from a different perspective, such as horse riding and paragliding.
Rest your feet in Crete
Don’t come to Crete just expecting it only to appeal to the party animal! This island is packed full of sun drenched beaches, historical sites and museums showing off exhibits dating from the Bronze Age. Smaller fishing enclaves and villages like Kalivai balance up the pumping resorts such as Malia so you can enjoy the peace on your late deal holidays.
Save stamina in Skiathos
For a true Greek experience Skiathos has it all, from locally-inspired menus to scores of sandy beaches and traditional villages. Smaller than some of the other well-known destinations, everything you could want from a beach holiday is nearby. Trendy Skiathos Town with its picturesque marina is great for retail therapy and the tree covered hills are ripe for hiking. There are many entertainment venues and restaurants so you can go from beach idyll to party central in no time at all.
