After the thunderstorms and heavy rain from last night we woke to a clear blue sky and a cool breeze. The route from Buffalo to Batavia went through small towns and villages and the countryside everywhere was lush and green.

Our first ceremony in Batavia was with a group of 3-5 year olds doing a soccer skill session. When we arrived a few of them came up to us and started asking so many questions.

They were so intrigued and excited about the torch. Mark Fitzpatrick, the co-ordinator of the session introduced us and we had a lot of fun with the children.

At that tender age they are so sweet and innocent. They loved running with us with the torch. They were a delight to photograph holding the torch and looked so angelic.

In the afternoon we made our way to the Camp Arrowhead YMCA in Pittsfield, NY.

Even though everyone was in the pool, they were all eager to hold the torch and hear about our journey across this great land.

Then we got chance to get in the water. After a hot day running it felt fantastic!

At our campground quaintly called Cheerful Valley it really lived up to its name.

We were kindly invited to give an evening presentation prior to the people attending the bingo event in the pavilion.

They enjoyed as much as the children do playing the game of guessing where each runner comes from.

When they got all the countries correct, albeit giving extra clues for Vladimir from Moldova, we sang the World Harmony Run song with so much energy.

Everyone was very cheerful and smiley.

This is the Jones family who we met just outside their home town of Palmyra. They loved the message of the Run and all held the torch and added their harmony-wishes. Our runners loved meeting you on the road- thanks for stopping to spend time with us!

– Kokila and Atulya

Distance: 82 miles

Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Drsalu Gruenstaeudel (Austria), Vladimir Salnacov (Moldova), Mark Collinson (England), Kokila Chamberlain (England), Surya Smolennikova (Russia), Kshetragna Ulanova (Russia), Dima Grygorievski (Ukraine), Sukhada Korshunova (Russia), Nisanga (Bosnia)

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

Gallery: See more images!