To begin our day’s running from Thames we took in the scenic ocean views as we ran past beautiful and vast expanses of water all around the Coromandel Peninsula.

We were warmly welcomed into Thames

Pragunya the guitar maestro kicks off the World Harmony Run song

Torch bearer Awardee Pam Gwynne, who has improved her community by using her love of gardening to raise money for worthy causes and inspire children to make the world a more beautiful place.

Sowing the seeds of peace

One of the youngest members of our team

How many harmony runners does it take to blow out a torch?

About 2 km before Coromandel Area School, we met a group of young cross-country runners who came in with the team, holding the torch and flag.

After 1km of running with them, we met another group of younger children (about 8-9 years old) who had come from the school to meet us. They now took the lead with fresh energy and enthusiasm holding the torch and running the last 1km into school with the team. Everyone really worked hard for a fast 2km run under the warm midday sun!

We presented a Torch bearer Award to one of the great and inspiring teachers. He made a delightful and touching speech which truly embraced founder Sri Chinmoy’s vision of the World Harmony Run. He encouraged the school children to run in order to keep fit and healthy. He said that in the beautiful Coromandel Area we can be inspired by animals such as lambs who spontaneously run and jump with joy and even smile as they go!

During Coromandel Area School’s presentation two groups of children performed for us. One class sang with their teacher on guitar and then showed us some peace art.

At Mercury Bay Area school, we were seated in an outdoor circular amphitheater which made us feel that we were all together and part of something special. A choir sang for us and then the whole school enthusiastically learnt the World Harmony Run Song complete with actions. They sounded and looked fantastic! A real display of unity and oneness.

Anna Horne, who has contributed to peace and wellbeing in the Whitianga community, receives the Torchbearer Award.

At the end of a great whole school ceremony, we took the Year 7 and some younger classes out to the field to become Harmony Runners. We spread out around the field while the children ran past and high-fived us. They were proud to become real runners for harmony. Thanks for giving us so much joy and inspiration Mercury Bay!!

 

Time to relax in Tairua

 

– Tom

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Distance: 143 km

Team Members:
Uddipan Brown (New Zealand), Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Moksa Wade (New Zealand), Becky Xerri (Wales), Pragunya Daly (New Zealand), Shumbhani Juarez (Guatemala), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Stacey Marsh (New Zealand), Sean Abbott (Fiji), Nelson Myers (New Zealand), Kallola Brown (New Zealand), Garbitashri Webster (New Zealand), Malyavati Klapper (Austria), Harita Davies (New Zealand), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Hridayinee Williams (Australia), Shvastinee Ballantyne (New Zealand), Suradhuni Anderson (New Zealand), Priyala Carvalho (Brazil)

Gallery: See more images!

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