Muswellbrook’s Ian Ingle will soon find himself smack bang in the middle of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games in Newcastle next month.

The local public school teacher is among 24 Hunter residents, who have been bestowed the high honour of carrying the baton through the region on Saturday, February 3.

He’ll join the likes of wheelchair champion Kurt Fearnley, surfer Jade Wheatley, swimmer Maddi Elliott and ex-Newcastle Knight and Aberdeen Tigers junior Alex McKinnon.

Mr Ingle is scheduled to undertake a scenic 200m run, jog or walk along Shortland Esplanade from 8.12am.

“I’ve done a bit of training at Weeraman Fields,” he said.

“Apparently, I’ve got three minutes to get to the next point [on the route].

“And, I’ve tested myself – I’m now down to two [minutes].

“Hopefully, I’ll have some family members there to support me.

“I’m sure I’ll look back in years to come and think being a baton-bearer was a privilege.”

The baton relay took off from Buckingham Palace in March and arrived in Australia on Christmas Eve. 

It’ll embark on a 100-day journey, visiting 83 towns and cities, ahead of landing in the Gold Coast in time for the Opening Ceremony in April.