• World Harmony Run

    World's Largest Torch Relay
    World Harmony Run

  • 1,000,000 Participants

    Across 6 Continents
    1,000,000 Participants

  • Dreaming of a more harmonious world

    100 countries
    Dreaming of Harmony

  • Schools And Kids

    Make a Wish for Peace
    Schools And Kids

  • Sri Chinmoy: World Harmony Run Founder

    World Harmony Run Founder
    Sri Chinmoy

  • Carl Lewis: World Harmony Run Spokesman

    World Harmony Run Spokesman
    Carl Lewis

  • New York, USA

    New York
    USA

  • London, Great Britain

    London
    Great Britain

  • Shakhovskaya, Russia

    Shakhovskaya
    Russia

  • Around Australia

    15,000 kms, 100 days
    Around Australia

  • Around Ireland

    14 Days, 1500km
    Around Ireland

  • Wanaka, New Zealand

    Wanaka
    New Zealand

  • Arjang, Norway

    Arjang
    Norway

  • Rekjavik, Iceland

    Rekjavik
    Iceland

  • Beijing, China

    Beijing
    China

  • Prague, Czech Republic

    Prague
    Czech Republic

  • Belgrade, Serbia

    Belgrade
    Serbia

  • Lake Biwa, Japan

    Lake Biwa
    Japan

  • Kapsait, Ethiopia

    Kapsait
    Kenya

  • Pangkor Island, Malaysia

    Pangkor Island
    Malaysia

  • Bali, Indonesia

    Bali
    Indonesia

  • The All Blacks, New Zealand

    The All Blacks
    New Zealand

New Zealand 26 October 2005: Rotorua and Taupo

Today was a big day for the World Harmony Run team in Rotorua and Taupo. After getting up early to watch the sunrise over Lake Rotorua, we filled up on a delicious breakfast made by our travelling chef, and headed out for two schools.

Runners from the Primary school carried the torch across the field to the Intermediate school, passing it from person to person all the way to the school hall and up onto the stage. A small team of these runners stayed up on stage with us, introduced themselves and told us what country they were from.

After the ceremony, the runners from that school led the way a distance down the road at which point they farewelled us. The kids were disappointed that they had to go back to school. They wanted to run all of the way to Wellington with us!

The journey to Taupo was very pleasant. Today was not as hot as yesterday which made it a lot easier to run. A nice breeze cooled us down, which helped us a lot. Finally after doing the mileage to Taupo, we made it just in time to greet our first school.

The school signaled their intention to greet us with a traditional Maori powhiri. We were really happy to have Uddipan with us! Some of us needed a quick briefing on protocol which he swiftly provided. Nelson recieved the challenge. Uddipan then spoke for about 15 minutes in Maori, after which we sang our song, followed by a reply from a teacher and a special song from the kids. They then greeted us with open arms and said that they knew we were there to offer peace.

Uddipan went on to speak in English about world harmony, after which the kids lined the perimeter of the field and passed the torch from one to another.

The next school in Taupo was a fair distance away, yet no sooner than we had run one block, we met kids there waiting for us to run to their school. It was a long run - at least 2km!

When we arrived the kids were waiting for us outside and were singing the World Harmony Run song which inspired and energised us all as we ran into the school. The kids called out different meanings of harmony such as “love”, “peace”, “happiness”, and “friendship”. They had been talking about harmony before our arrival, and had written some nice poems. (more)

The Tauhara Centre in Taupo allowed us all to enjoy a nice peaceful rest in a natural setting with birds up earlier than us!

Nipura, the team chef, was more than thankful for the extra large kitchen which allowed her to cook away for hours, making us all happy at lunch time!

 

 

 



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New Zealand 27 October 2005 >