Events — September 1, 2008 — St. John’s

Canadian World Harmony runners inaugurated this year’s run on the Atlantic coast with a ceremony at Cape Spear National Historic Park—the eastern most point of land in North America.

We were accompanied in our enthusiasm by some truly magnificent ocean waves crashing against Newfoundland’s rugged, cliff-lined shores.

Ginger, from Parks Canada, greeted us warmly, welcoming us to Cape Spear and wishing us an inspiring and successful journey across Canada. From there, we began the approximately 20 km run into St. John’s and through the downtown to the top of Signal Hill.

On the way we stopped at City Hall for a brief meeting with Mayor Dennis O’Keefe, who took the time to come out on this Labour Day Monday to officially welcome us to the city.

Constables from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary then formally escorted our running team the last few km to Cabot Tower at the top of Signal Hill. (Cabot Tower is a St. John’s landmark as the site of the reception of the very first trans-Atlantic radio signal in the year 1901.)

There we had the opportunity to meet many visitors to the city as well as native Newfoundlanders among whom we passed the torch, and many of whom shared their own wishes for world harmony with us.

We also had the good fortune of meeting an authentic and very friendly Newfoundlander dog (from whose spontaneous affection for everyone we could all, no doubt, learn a good lesson!).

Though our inaugural day on the run was quite foggy, the previous day in St. John’s was sunny and beautiful, and it afforded a fantastic view of the impressive landscape of St. John’s and the surrounding area. Some of the pictures from that day’s hike we’ve also included here.

– Jennifer Davies

Distance: 20 km

Team Members:
Prapti (Canada), Meriem (Canada), Michelle (Canada), Antana (Canada)

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Gallery: See more images!