Among some of the early torchbearers on the route this morning was Barbara Fosdick, an 85-year-old veteran of the Second World War.

At 17, she served as a gunner attached to the Royal Artillery in England and was among the first women to help bring down a German plane as it dive-bombed ships in the Newcastle harbour.

Fosdick accepted an invitation to represent the Royal Canadian Legion in the relay despite some early reservations.

“First of all, I was doubtful that I could do it,” she said in an interview prior to the relay. “I mean, I’m 85 years old. Therefore, it seemed like a very difficult thing for an old lady to do. Then I thought, why can’t I do it? I do most things. I’m very active. So it’s going to be a matter of pride for me to do it well and to remember it for the rest of my days.”

As her grandchildren watched roadside today, Fosdick carried the torch into Chinatown before passing it to Victoria businessman and athlete Rob Reid.

The owner of Frontrunners running store and a long-time organizer of the Victoria Marathon, Reid missed an opportunity to enjoy the Olympic experience in Calgary. He left town, he said, just prior to the 1988 Winter Games, and headed west to pursue his own business dreams. One of his last tasks, however, was to fit downhill skier Ken Read for a pair of running shoes.

A few weeks later, Reid was working in Vancouver, and keeping one eye on the Opening Ceremonies. “And sure enough Ken Read was running that torch into the stadium in Calgary with those shoes,” he said.

Today, 21 years later, Reid slipped himself into a pair of torchbearers’ shoes.

He handed off to Olympic rower Dave Calder on the Johnson Street Bridge.

A silver medallist at Beijing in 2008, Calder hopes to pursue his dream of winning a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012. But the relay, he said, stands for more than sport.

“I really do buy into the symbol of the Olympic torch,” he said. “It sends a message to kids … that you know what? You want to dream wild and crazy dreams. They’re there for the taking.”

After his run, Calder posted to his Twitter account: “Wow wow wow. That was amazing. Overwhelming — even with the anti protesters at my exchange point. Seeing my family pushed me over the edge!”