We started the day picking up our guide Vidura at home and were delighted to have Devaki and her mother Garyasi hold the torch.

Here's Vidura running in the rain while we stayed dry in the car.

Mayor Bill Tierney of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, arrived on his bike to meet with us and start us off for the day.

A former rugby player, he had no problem running with the torch out of town.

Maria Tutino, Mayor of Baie-d’Urfé warmly greeted the runners, offering them city pins.

Mayor Tutino and her staff kindly offered the runners a beautiful hard cover book on the history of the town, and they in turn gave her a certificate of appreciation from the team.

Mayor Tutino happily ran a few metres with the Harmony Torch, establishing oneness with the Mayors across the country who are running in the Inter-Mayor Relay Torch Run.

A Canada Postal worker took a short break to offer Vidura and the runners’ encouragement.

Bob Benedetti, Mayor of Beaconsfield, received his certificate of appreciation from Gabriel.

Mayor Benedetti also took part in the Inter-Mayor Relay Torch Run by running a few steps for Harmony.

The Team was very grateful to accept not only the generous offerings of hot and cold drinks but also nice city pins to add to their ever-growing collection, as well as a hard cover book of the city’s history.

We were not the only ones running in the rain. Along the way we met a school team training for a 2-Km run. They were more than happy to stop and hold the Harmony torch.

An Indian family, who saw us run by with the Torch, followed us in their car because they were so eager to hold the Harmony torch.

LaSalle Counsellor Alvaro came while it was raining to greet us and have a ceremony in the Gazebo near the Police Station.

The Pro-Mayor, Paul Beaupré of Verdun was joined by a brave triathlete (who ran all the way to the end) and city counsellor, Marc Touchette, for a short run in the rain for Harmony.

Did we mention that it was raining?

The days’ relay running culminated in a welcoming ceremony held in McGill University’s downtown campus on the lowest west field. Organized by Devaki, lecturer of English as a second language at McGill University, performers consisted mainly of former students from various parts of the world who wished to be part of the ceremony by sharing their cultures’ hopes for harmony. Monsieur Hervé de Fontenay, Director of the English/French Department in Continuing Education, warmly welcomed the runners. After a moving welcoming speech on behalf of the University, Hervé happily received a book on Harmony written by the WHR founder Sri Chinmoy.

Vasu Seshadri, another lecturer at McGill, offered an opening prayer in Sanskrit and praised Sri Chinmoy for his vision of the World Harmony Run.

Wei-Wei Long from China, a gifted violinist studying in McGill, played a moving traditional melody entitled “The Moon Reflected in the Second Pond”. The audience was blown away! We are sure she will be famous one day.

Ralitsa Nedyalkova, 8 years old, and daughter o f McGill student, Veselka, charmed the audience with her lovely rendition of the song, “One Bulgarian Rose”, a traditional song from Bulgaria.

Mari Li (Maria) from China told the runners, “You are heroes in my heart” and then sang a moving song to the Chinese motherland.

Ying Shan from China, before reciting a traditional Chinese poem with great dynamism, told the runners, “I think running for peace is very important and one day I hope I can join you”.

Ikuko Fukuta, a psychologist and former McGill student, beautifully read a poem written by a ten- year old boy, in Japanese and English, about the important of having a kind heart no matter what happens.

The Team was joined by Montreal musicians, Pavaka and Sukhdev for a rousing rendition of the World Harmony Song. The audience happily sang along while the Harmony Torch was passed from hand to hand.

The youngest hand to hold the torch and with sheer delight, was 18-month old Sophia, daughter of Veselka Nedyalkova and sister of Ralitsa.

The WHR would like to express heartfelt gratitude to  Theresa Standing and Gabrielle Pinto of McGill University Campus Events for allowing us to use the lower west field for the ceremony. Special thanks to Shannon and his team at Special Events for going 'above and beyond' in the rain!
Devaki Groulx

After the ceremony, the thirsty runners gratefully enjoyed healthy drinks offered compliments of “Jus Booster Juice” on Sherbrooke St West.

To finish off an exhausting, but fulfilling day, nothing goes better than a delicious Indian meal! The team was treated to sumptuous thalis and sweets, compliments of Pushaps Vegetarian Restaurant on Pare Street.

The Team gratefully offered Daljit Mohan and Surinder Kumar WHR T-shirts and a certificate of appreciation. Best food in town!!

– Salil Wilson

Distance: 35 km

Team Members:
Prapti Jensen (Canada), Sevati Bondanza (El Salvador), Adarini Inke (Switzerland), Elke Lindner (Germany), Tanuja Konecna (Czech Republic), Medur Wilson (Canada), Gabriel Pelletier (Canada), Eric Langlois (Canada), Salil Wilson (Australia)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!