PARKSVILLE, B.C. - Hundreds of Parksville residents lined both sides of the Island Highway on Sunday as Olympic torchbearers ran through this seaside retirement community known for its huge beaches and calm lifestyle.

Annie Humphries-Loutit, 69, said she came to cheer on her grandson, Riley Monnet, 13, who was given the honour of running the torch into Parksville's community park where he was welcomed by a brass band and hundreds of cheering spectators.

Loutit said she is a proud grandmother, but not an Olympic's booster.

"I'm happy he's running,'' she said. "But I'm of two minds: if they hadn't had to cut anything it would have been better, or had people homeless.''

Protesters disrupted parts of the torch run in Victoria on Friday.

Loutit held a cardboard sign that said, "Go Riley Go.''

An out of breath Riley Monet who was surrounded by media and wellwishers held the torch high and said: "Hi grandma.''

High school student Haley Toriglia said she was chosen to run with the torch after entering a contest with Coca-Cola and writing an essay about how she lives a green life style. She said she is a diligent recycler and walks whenever she can.

She said while she was running with the torch her heart was pounding because, "I was the only person in the world at that moment holding the torch.''