Olympic Torch Run an Unforgetable Experience

By Kelly Elder
Edson, Alberta resident Carla Coubrough, formerly of Bengough, was one of 12,000 people chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in the ceremonial relay leading up to the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Coubrough is the manager of Extra Foods in Edson, Alberta and was the person chosen by the Loblaw companies and Coca Cola to run with the Olympic Torch in Edmonton on January 13th.
Carla was very excited to hear she would be carrying the flame, "When I was told that I was chosen to run with the Torch a few months ago , I felt like I had won the lottery. Only 12000 people will have this amazing chance of a lifetime and I am one of those people!"
Carla arrived in Edmonton on the 13th with 26 family and friends with me to cheer her on.
She began her experience at the Edmonton City Hall where she joined 21 other lucky people that were to run the torch that evening. Each of the participants carried the flame for 300 metres, for a total of 9 kms.
The participants were taken by bus to the points where they would await their turn in the relay. "The bus was full of laughter, tears, song and dance."
"When I arrived at my destination I joined my family and friends and awaited the torch to arrive from the previous runner to light my torch." said Carla.
Carla had her flame lit by the previous runner, ran her 300 m where she lit the next runner.
"You cant imagine the feelings that went through me when I headed down the street to run my 300metres of Glory! Approximately 15000 people watching and cheering me on from the street side."
Then it was back on the bus to be taken to Winston Churchill Square for the celebration and lighting of the cauldren.
"It was truly a honour to carry the torch and to be part of the Olympic History for 2010 ....something that I will never forget." said Carla in conclusion.
Carla (nee Claffey) grew up in Ceylon and moved to Bengough in her teen years to attend school and live with her grandparents Carl And Ruth Adam.
Coubrough is the daughter of Shirley Adam, (sister of Keith Adam of Coronach) of Edmonton, AB, Granddaughter of Ruth Adam who now lives in MooseJaw. Carla is married to Cory, son of Jerry and Annette Coubrough of Bengough. Cory and Carla have two grown children, Cara and Craig. Cory and Carla relocated to Alberta in 1996.
Some of Carla's friends and family caught her online but Annette Scholz-Coubrough, Carla's mother-in-law, said, "Cory and Carla didn't know it would be live on the internet so we didnt see it but when Jerry and I read her article we certainly were emotional from her emotions that came out in her article. It was a wonderful experience for all of us sharing it with her."

Correction
Carla Coubrough's place of work was listed as Safeway in the January 18 issue in error.