Our starting point in April - the Statue of Liberty stood proudly in the background as the team got ready to run the last few miles into the closing ceremony for the US relay.

...and off they went.

The cavernous streets of lower Manhattan replaced the natural vistas that accompanied us for most of our journey around the US.

Seventeen year old Ankurika Hammerl of Austria carried the torch up Second Avenue. Ankurika joined us for the last two weeks of the US Run and we were delighted to have her.

US Team Captain Yuyudhan Hoppe lit the beacon at the ceremony.

Devashishu Torpy welcomed our guests.

World Harmony Run Executive Director Salil Wilson briefly shared the story of the US Run as well as our experience through over 100 participating countries around the world.

Renowned Russian musician Purushottama Boris Grebenshikov grasps the torch having received the Torch-Bearer Award.

We were also delighted to present New York City Housing Authority Chorus Director Larry Matthew with the Torch-Bearer Award.

The NYCHA Chorus in action.

Members of the United Nations international community join in a moment to hold the torch.

Mr. Sasa Ojdanic, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations encouraged the runners saying: "We are all proud of you, and your gathering is much more important than the gathering in the UN—I assure you about that. And be proud of that!"

Ms. Lily Valtchanova, Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations received a flower from former UN staff member Ms. Rijuta Tooker.

Mr. Dimitri Alexandrakis, Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations.

Mr. Piet de Klerk, Deputy Permanent Representative of Netherlands to the United Nations.

Mr. Belahoura, Minister of Algeria to the United Nations.

Shambhu Neil Vineberg, whom Sri Chinmoy always referred to as the first and foremost Executive Director, offered his words of congratulations and encouragement to the runners.

Adarsha Kelly led the choir in the World Harmony Run song.

Choir and musicians joined in celebrating the closing on this years World Harmony Run in the US.

– Salil Wilson

Distance: 4 miles

Team Members:
Shyamala Stott (Scotland), Banshidhar Medeiros (USA), Yuyudhan Hoppe (USA), Uddyogini Hall (Australia), Jeromy Cheatham (USA), Andi Schmitz (Germany), Atulya Lee Berube (USA), Boijayanti Gomez-Badillo (Puerto Rico), Ankurika Hammerl (Austria), Anna Prielozna (Slovakia), Annemarie Beumer (Netherlands), Parichayaka Hammerl (Austria), Balavan Thomas (England), Salil Wilson (Australia)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!