2008 Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mr. Lee Berube 888-882-4081
WORLD HARMONY RUN LINKS THE WORLD --SPREADS HARMONY ACROSS AMERICA
A relay run for harmony across the length and breadth of America is passing through over 1,000 cities and towns this summer. Runners in the 100-nation World Harmony Run are carrying a flaming torch to symbolize their goal of harmony through sports.
The 10,000-mile World Harmony Run USA which began in 1987 has involved over one million people. The World Harmony Run USA launched on April 15th with a relay run through the boroughs of New York City.
The New York event was the first of several citywide events that will be held in connection with the Run in major cities around the country-including Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago, and Boston.
"By carrying the torch, you will be bridging cultural and social barriers, and all the boundaries that separate nation from nation. The trials on the road to world-harmony are no greater than the courage of those who accept the challenge.", says Carl Lewis, nine time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Harmony Run spokesman.
International highlights of the Run this year include a continuous relay through 49 European countries from March to September. The World Harmony Run will also include simultaneous running events in Canada, Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
The run is organized by the World Harmony Run, a non-profit organization headquartered in New York City. The Run was inspired by the late peace visionary Sri Chinmoy to provide an opportunity for citizens to express their own hopes and dreams for a more harmonious world. An athlete, philosopher, artist, musician and poet, Sri Chinmoy dedicated his life to advancing the ideals of world friendship and oneness.
"One of our goals is to build friendships with community groups who participate in the World Harmony Run and to support their activities for promoting harmony," says Lee Berube, US Coordinator.
Harmony Run organizers also work with school officials nationwide to spread the ideals of the Harmony Run through school curriculums-teaching peaceful conflict resolution and self-esteem.
The Harmony Run has been endorsed by many of the nation's Mayors, Governors and Members of the Congress, by world-class athletes such as this year's spokesman Carl Lewis, by leaders of numerous countries, by Pope John Paul II, President Nelson Mandela, the late Mother Theresa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as many others.
The 2008 World Harmony Run USA will conclude in New York in August.
# # #