Olympic Torch Relay begins across the UK

Torchbearers pass the Olympic flame on the beach in front of St. Michael's Mount at Marazion near Penzance in Cornwall, southwest England, May 19, 2012. Some 8000 runners are participating in the Olympic Torch Relay which will cover over 8000 miles throughout Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland over the next ten weeks before the London 2012 Olympics.

Large crowds watch as a torchbearer runs in the Olympic Torch Relay in Torquay in southwest England, May 19, 2012.

Crowds line the streets as a torchbearer poses during the Olympic Torch Relay in Porlock, southwest England, May 21, 2012.

Sarah Milner Simonds holds her torch as she prepares to run her leg of of the Olympic Torch Relay in Dunster, southwest England, May 21, 2012.

Crowds line the streets as a locally organised torch relay race is run ahead of the Olympic Torch Relay in Hatherleigh in southwest England, May 21, 2012.

Roadside spectators cheer as the Olympic Torch relay passes through Sennen on the first day of its Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland tour, in Cornwall, southwest England, May 19, 2012.

(Agencies)