Today was a short diversion, as we took a side trip to the town of Oxford, one of the world's great centres of knowledge.

The famous Oxford University, established in mediaeval times, has had many famous alumni over the centuries. Our first visit, however, was to some of Oxford's younger students.

We arrived at Windale Primary School first thing in the morning - or at least,half of us did. The rest of the team was stranded in peak-hour traffic, so the students heard that half the team was missing. They were immediately concerned. Was everyone OK?

Happily, everything was fine - and the rest of the team appeared before the end of the ceremony.

Though today was expected to be a day off from our long running schedule, Balavan estimated that he ran a total of 12 miles between venues - usually in full tracksuit, on a hot and sunny day. Some of his teammates clocked up similar mileage.

The unseasonably terrific weather has stayed with us for our visit to England. Our Oxford-based friend Tejvan, who helped to arrange many of today's activities, claims that this is a once-in-a-decade phenomenon for Oxford. Sadly, the lack of rain is causing severe droughts in parts of England... but where we have visited, the land is still green and verdant.

We ran four miles from the school to Harcourt Aboretum, the site of some exquisite flora...

... and fauna.

We met with the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Elise Benjamin, whose peace-loving background started before even before she was born. Her parents marched for peace in the 1960s - and she has maintained their strong principles as a Green councillor and elected representative.

To commemorate the visit of the World Harmony Run a Peace Tree was planted in the Aboretum.

The Lord Mayor accepted our Declaration of Appreciation on behalf of the City of Oxford.

Another seven miles along the Thames, through Oxford University's august campus...

Our destination: Warneford Hospital.

The first Torch-Bearer Award to be presented in the UK this year was presented to Professor Mark Williams, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Oxford University, who has introduced traditional meditation and yoga techniques as treatment for depression, co-developing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

The award was for not only for Professor Williams, but also for the staff at Warneford Hospital. On the World Harmony Run, we are reminded each day that great things are accomplished through great teams.

In presenting the award, Tejvan said that: "Empowering people to overcome depression and find happiness is a most worthwhile goal."

Sri Chinmoy, founder of the World Harmony Run, saw meditation - as well as running - as an important activity in finding inner peace. Professor Williams identified with the lyrics of the World Harmony Run song, and the motto "Harmony begins with me." These were among the discoveries in his own research. To achieve outer peace, inner peace must be cultivated in each individual. This is what we strive to do in our World Harmony Run.

Happily, it was only a (beautiful) half-mile to the next stop...

We ran to St Joseph's School, which greeted us with... a rendition of our own song!

This was a wonderful surprise!

They also read us some prayers for peace.

Some of these prayers - along with wonderful artwork for peace - were presented to us in a large placard.

Their main gift, however, was their enthusiasm.

One student demonstrated that she knows exactly where peace can be found: in her heart.

A hard day on the run deserves... ice cream.

We ran another three miles to visit...

... a school with a difference: The Oxford School of English.

Here, we were met by a group of Spanish-speaking students, mostly from Mexico and South America. The students are notably older than most of the kids we've been visiting - but to our surprise, their enthusiasm was just as strong.

We frequently visit schools with three cameras, to capture all of the students. This time the tables were turned, as many students pulled out their pocket cameras to snap (and in some case, film) us.

Steve, one of the organisers of the World Harmony Run in Oxford, is a teacher at this school. Sadly, he was overseas when we visited.

Though he wouldn't say it, we think that it was Simon's favourite school visit.

His sister Karolina stayed out of his way by hiding behind our flag.

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Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages

See also:

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

– Noivedya

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Distance: 23 km

Team Members:
Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Mladen Vujaklija (Croatia), Sumahat Strohn (Germany), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Andre Carvalho Ribeiro (Portugal), Petar Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Abhejali Bernardova (Czech Republic), Satyamurti Miotello (Italy), Vladimir Ilyasov (Russian Federation), Laszlo Szente (Hungary), Karolina Hausenblasova (Czech Republic), Simon Hausenblas (Czech Republic), Balavan Thomas (England), Devashishu Torpy (England)

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

Gallery: See more images!

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