For the participants in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay on Vancouver Island, their run assignments are not new — for the rest of us, today's unveiling of the route in our area will help us get ready for the historic moment.

Thanks to local Spirit Committee chair, Wendy Maurer, a link was forwarded to The News, outlining where the Olympic Torch relay runners will be in Oceanside on Nov. 1 and 2. The torch run will have actually started its cross-Canada trek in Victoria Oct. 30.

On Nov. 1, the torch relay begins its day in Nanaimo before 8 a.m. By 8:06, it makes its way through Lantzville, reaching Nanoose Bay for a short detour there at 8:39 a.m. (all times are estimates).

From there, the torch relay zips up to Parksville, where runners go their 300 metres starting from the orange bridge at approximately 9 a.m. The relay follows Highway 19A to Corfield, where it loops into the Community Park and exits out onto the Alberni Highway. The relay ends near Bernard Avenue at around 10 a.m., when it is whisked away to its next leg in Coombs.

It's a short jaunt from near Station Road to Coombs Road (10 minutes, according to the organizers) before heading on to Hilliers, where the torch will be run along Van horn Road before being taken over the Hump to Port Alberni.

The rest of the day the torch relay takes place in Port, local First Nations communities, then on to Ucluelet and Tofino.

On Nov. 2, the torch begins its day in Qualicum Beach. At 6:45 a.m., it starts at First Avenue at Primrose. It Runs past The Old School House, onto Memorial Avenue, down to Highway 19A and north-west to just after Kinkade Road.

It's then taken to the Qualicum First Nation for a short run at 7:40 a.m., followed by a trip to Qualicum Bay (7:49 start along Highway 19A), Bowser (8:10 start at McColl Road, along the highway).

From there, the relay goes to Fanny Bay, Royston, Cumberland, Courtenay, Comox and in various small communities up to and including Campbell River.

Various local events are planned for the Olympic torch's visit. Watch The News for more details about them, and about some of the local people taking part in the event.

To check out the interactive map at the official Vancouver 2010 web site, visit http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/.