Australian Grahak Cunningham gives an account of the day's events.

WOW!!! New Zealand really is a spectacular place. Everything you have ever heard or read about New Zealand is absolutely true. Unparalleled scene-scapes of mountains, farmland, seal colonies, beaches and coastal roads laced with all kinds of native flora and fauna.

The World Harmony Run team set out early in the morning after first viewing the whales off the coast of Kaikoura to cover approx 130kms, and it really was an amazing sight to see. Lonely roads with little or no traffic, mountains and coastline bathed in the morning mist, and white snow capped peaks towering high above, sun kissed from the morning dawn. The air was clean and crisp which made for comfortable long distance running.

Each runner covered anywhere up to 30km’s running in teams and solo from Kaikoura to Blenheim. First stop along the way was Hapuku School.

Here students expressed their yearning for harmony by participating in the World Harmony Run via a relay around the court. The school showed the runners the healing garden with its healing herbs and plants decorated with stones painted with messages such as ‘Peace on Earth’. All the teachers were just as eager to hold the torch as the children, so it is easy to see why it is such a harmonious school.

After running the scenic coastal route with observant seals for company, runners entered Blenheim through Riverlands Primary. They were greeted by a traditional Maori powhiri. The runners looked forward to teaching the World Harmony Run song to what was obviously a musical school and they weren’t let down, with one of the loudest, most enthusiastic renditions of the song ever heard. Thanks everyone!

After a newspaper photo shoot, the run into town went through the main street and eventually arrived at the Council Chambers where the Mayor of Blenheim, Alistair Sowman came out to receive the torch on behalf of the city. He wished us well in our endeavours and was overjoyed to hold the torch. We are spending the night at Blenheim and are looking forward to visiting more wonderful people in the area tomorrow.