Hussain carried the torch in Basildon earlier this month.

Torchbearer passes on advice to runners in Redbridge

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Monday, July 16, 2012
4:41 PM

An Ilford student has passed on his advice about running with the Olympic torch ahead of the relay in Redbridge on Sunday.

Hussain Manawer was a torchbearer earlier this month in Basildon after being nominated by his sister and a friend for his charity work.

The 21-year-old was the March 2011 winner of the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award.

He has raised thousands climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, helped build a village in Botswana and campaigned against knife and gun crime.

But Hussain, of Endsleigh Gardens, said carrying the torch was one of his most “amazing” experiences.

He said: “Being the only person carrying the flame at that time in the whole world is incredible, I can’t even explain it.

“There are so many people you can’t even see all of them, it’s like walking through a concert, it’s mad.

“You’re running and you can see all these different people smiling and getting involved, there’s so much unity.”

Hussain ran 600m instead of the planned 300m when the next torchbearer got stuck in the crowd and couldn’t get out in time. But he kept going.

He said: “Just keep smiling and take your time.

“You should really milk it and enjoy it with all your family and friends there.

“Everyone’s nervous of dropping it but once you see the torch coming towards you, it’s all you can think about.”

Hussain will be appearing as a torchbearer in a special Olympics episode of Eastenders.

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