It was only 300 metres but for Ben Parkinson, the most seriously wounded soldier to survive the war in Afghanistan, it must have seemed like a marathon.
Lance Bombardier Parkinson, who lost both legs and suffered brain and back injuries in a bomb attack in 2006, carried the Olympic Torch in his home town today as thousands cheered and applauded his courage in some of the most emotional scenes of the torch relay to date.
The 27-year-old soldier was determined to walk the distance from Doncaster's Cenotaph on his prosthetic limbs without crutches.
Parkinson's mother Diane Dernie said her son had practised his route every day.
Ms Dernie said: "It's been such a spur for him, he's had to work so hard.
"He's had this practice torch made and he's been pounding the streets."
She added: "The whole purpose of this was to show everyone what he can do.
"He's doing brilliantly. Even a few months ago we didn't know if he'd be able to do it without crutches but he's cracked it and he's been doing about 500 metres up and down the area.
"It's so important to Ben because this is his chance to prove what he can do, to thank everybody in Doncaster because he's had such fantastic support locally."
Parkinson was mobbed by well-wishers when he passed on the torch after his 300m leg.
The paratrooper took about 26 minutes to complete the route along Bennetthorpe, in the town, and every step he took was cheered by crowds ten deep.
After he got back in his wheelchair he said: "I am so proud. I didn't realise how much support I had. I was amazed."
Asked how he felt he said: "A million pounds."
Parkinson said the best part of the day was having 50 of his comrades from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery line the route and cheer for him.
Parkinson said: "I am very proud."
Asked about how he felt walking, he said: "I felt nothing. All these people helped me along."
Speaking after, his mother said: "He knew he could do it. So many people told him he couldn't do it, but he was not having that.
"We knew he'd do it."
Mrs Dernie said her son went a lot further than the distance he had been practising.
"Brilliant, brilliant day, we're so proud," she said.
"This town has been such a wonderful place for Ben. I'm just so proud of everybody. Whatever he does, Doncaster's behind him."
The paratrooper lost both legs and suffered brain and back injuries in a bomb attack in 2006.
The relay arrived in Doncaster after beginning the day in Sheffield and travelling through Rotherham.