Ceremony in Hiroshima

1pm, in front of the Memorial in Hiroshima Peace Park

More than ten runners led by the members of Hiroshima Senior Running Club entered the Peace Park.

Many runners from Hiroshima Senior Running Club (orange T-shirts) ran inside Hiroshima prefecture

including the oldest runner in Hiroshima prefecture (75)

They were greeted by applause and cameras of three TV stations were on them.

Members of the Running Club and a kindergarten teacher (in gray-blue shirt) climb the stairs leading to the Memorial

The group of runners immediately moved to the Memorial where they stood in silence folding their hands.

Tacit prayer in front of the Monument, the little boy (10 years) came first to the Monument holding the torch

The runners, the staff, two officials from Hiroshima prefecture and two officials from Hiroshima city made a circle and began the ceremony.

Ms. Sunaoshi introduced briefly the event and an excerpt from the message that Sri Chinmoy gave after his concert in this Park on July, 13th was read out.

The director of the International Peace Promotion Department, Mr. Teshima and the Senior Supervisor of the International Affairs Office, Mr. Sakaue addressed the runners in a short speech.

Director Nobuyuki Teshima and staff member Mr. Yamaguchi, International Peace Promotion Department, The City of Hiroshima

Senior Supervisor Takashi Sakaue and staff member Mrs. Fukuhara, International Affairs Office, General Affairs Department, Hiroshima Prefectural Government

The last runner who ran to the Park handed the torch over to the four officials, who passed it from one to another and finally the torch was handed over to the next runner in the relay.

Mr. Teshima passes the torch to the oldest Hiroshima runner (75)

The director of the WHR organizing committee, Mr. Ito, offered flowers at the Monument and everybody prayed in silence for one minute.

The director of the WHR organizing committee, Mr. Ito, offers flowers at the Monument

About 5 runners started running and others gave them a sendoff.

Hiroshima Home Television (belonging to Asahi TV) ran after us and reported the relay even before and after the ceremony, commenting “You have a hard job!”.

Members of the Hiroshima Senior Running Club (orange T-shirts) and staff members (from left) Ms. Sunaoshi, Mrs. Morohoshi, Mr. Tobaru and Mr. Yoshida