Morning in Panevezys begins with a more than sturdy breakfast in a rustic local tavern: salad, baked cheese, french-fries… phew. The design of the place is very clean and imaginative: dark wooden surfaces, antlers, a clean-cut lawn and Wellington-boot flowerpots.

At the City Hall we are seen off by the Mayor and a triathlon World Champion. A convoy of cyclists at our tail, we run out of the city.

Our Lithuanian guest runner Bronius, aged 53, is very eager to get as much running done as possible. He jumps out at every opportunity. Ten years ago he ran through the whole of Lithuania for 16 days: a distance of 1090km. He is very spirited, energetic, and quite talkative.

At the border of the Ukmerge and Panevezys regions, Sports Representatives from both regions meet us with plentiful refreshments.

Along the way we meet our old friend: the Lithuanian country coordinator Romas, who will accompany us and take care of us from now on. We have some time to spare so he takes us to a beautiful, picturesque lake. The cool, refreshing water glitters temptingly in the sunshine. We practise some diving and swim across the lake.

Then we have some drinks at a nearby log tavern, and some of us amuse ourselves in the playground. Our recreation quota very satisfactorily fulfilled, a troop of us runs about 9km to the centre of Ukmerge.

Today is a perfect example of holiday summer weather. Hot and cool breezes interchange in fanning us from the heat wave. The skies are beautifully blue with majestic cloud formations. Along the fields and meadows cows lazily graze and horses run. Running has never felt so relaxing!

In Ukmerge we are greeted by the Mayor and then invited for a delicious lunch of sweet stuffed crepes.

At the border of Kaunas we have a surprise ceremony: many kids running with us, an accordion player, and refreshing drinks. From here local runners join us for about 6km into the centre, where the Mayor greets us. A good crowd is gathered here and the media coverage includes three TV stations.

In the evening we hit the sauna, and then our Lithuanian friends invite us for a very good dinner.

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Distance: 120km

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