From Best Western Queens Hotel Baden-Baden we ran towards Ratstatt. On our way we were fortunate again to witness a most brilliant rainbow.

On the border of Ratstatt we met the vice mayor of the city, Wolfgang Hartweg who is one of the fittest city representatives we’ve met. He plays tennis regularly and cycles in the Black Forest and runs 7 km twice a week.

From the word go he set a brisk pace as we ran into the city with some wonderful Baroque architecture.

The mayor ran just as fast out of the city with us as well.

At Ettlingen we met some local runners from the running club Lauftreff Ettlingen from the town. We met one 91-year-old runner, Albert Olbrechts who has to be one of the oldest participants of the World Harmony Run.

He was a great character as he chatted to us about his experiences. He is Master’s champion (in 85 + category) in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 10,000m and half marathon.

In the town’s square we met the mayor, Gabriela Bussemaker. She mentioned that recently they had an international piano competition in the town with 25 different nationalities competing, so in a way she added the town was doing its bit for world harmony.

At Bruchsal we met some children from Lebanon who were very excited when they held the torch and flags.

At Wiesloch we met the mayor’s representative Mr Leute who was so glad to receive the torch.

From Wiesloch we ran to the local mosque, where we were invited inside where they were chanting the loveliest prayers. The interior was ornate and very beautiful.

Afterwards we were invited outside for Turkish tea.

At Walldorf we met Mr Drach who had so kindly helped to put up the flags at the Racket-Center, our final destination of the day. He ran with us to the Rathaus where we met the mayor’s representative Eva Maria-Arens.

A special mention has to go to our German police escorts for the day. They were always so helpful, accommodating and considerate. We have to say the German police are the most courteous we have experienced on the World Harmony Run. Our Petar at times tried to outrun the police but they always caught up with him.

With a final call by Vasanti to the Racket-Center we were ready to run again.

Our final reception was a few kilometres away in Nussloch at the Racket-Center . There awaited Hans Motzenbacker, Honorary President of the Track and Field Association of Badenia. He has been a long supporter of the Run.

We also met the mayor of Nussloch, Gechard Leypold.

The Racket-Center was decorated with fantastic hand made flags and pictures and paintings of harmony from children from Kinderatelier Regenbogen .

A children's band – the Musikzug Walldorf , directed by Manfred Kollenz – played a marvellous rendition of the World Harmony Run Song and they later ran with the torch and with their musical instruments.

The manager of the Racket-Center, Dr Matthias Zimmermann kindly provided us with our evening meal and accommodation for the night – thank you ever so much.

In the shared accommodation we met some wonderful and up and coming young tennis players from China, Germany and Latvia.

Tomorrow is our final day before we take a two-week break.

Distance: 93km

Team Members:
Anete Klavina (Latvia), Bernadett Hammel (Hungary), Mark Collinson (England), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Petar Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Petr Machacek (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Terezia Hammel (Hungary), Veronika Kuliskova (Slovakia), Vasanti Niemz (Germany).

Harmonemail:
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