We awoke here in Richmond to another glorious day on the Peace Run. The sun was rising as we were having breakfast, giving us a moment to pause and welcome the Sun to this new day ...
First up this morning, Richmond State School welcomed our whole team with enthusiasm ...
... as we were introduced by Sarah English, one of the teachers, who hails from New South Wales ...
... hence, she was dressed in blue in support of her State team in the State of Origin, the rugby league event of the year (or at least the week). The deciding match of the series is tonight, and Sarah was somewhat outnumbered by her students ...
... the school uniform here is maroon – the Queensland colour – so they were already showing their support. In case there was any doubt, they made it clear exactly who was going to win tonight’s game, thank you very much. And in this case, the students weren’t listening to the teacher!
We started with "a moment's peace", feeling peace inside our hearts ...
After repeating our motto, "Peace begins with me!", we asked the children questions, and it was clear that they knew a few things. “Where does peace begin?” asked Prachar:
“With a P,” said one of the boys. True enough.
Bou-Dean Evans and Maxx Maluga received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the school.
Also present was the Deputy Mayor of Richmond Shire, Councillor June Kuhl, to welcome us to Richmond.
Following our presentation, we played the game in which the students ran enthusiastically from “continent” to “continent” on the oval, to get their “passports” stamped ...
At the end, they were exhausted. The teachers and even the Deputy Mayor also played, but they took a more leisurely stroll, avoiding the crowds. “If only it was always this easy to get your passport stamped,” one of them remarked.
The Torch was the focus for everyone ...
Though our visit had already run well overtime, the students were eager to ask further questions and find out more about the Peace Run ...
Thank you so much to Richmond State School for the best possible start to our day!
Our girls team started running from the school today with Irina first out. As we only had 25km to run it felt like we were on holiday. For the first time two of us ran together – so we could do at least 10km each ...
From spending hours out on the road by yourself it was a welcome change to have a running partner. As we got into our rhythm you felt this extra energy from your fellow Peace Runner ...
All of the people on this Peace Run are here because they believe in the ideals of the Peace Run ...
... no matter the language or culture, we all have this yearning for peace and feel that through our participation in the Peace Run, we are taking those small steps for Peace ...
... so running with a new friend on these long roads connects you even more with each other. You felt your steps go into sync, your breath became one and the feeling that we are all truly one in our hopes and dreams, no matter how they are expressed.
The first boys team had meanwhile driven ahead, and started running on the open plain ...
In the past week of running through the heat of Central Australia, we had been praying for a cool breeze. Perhaps we had been praying a little too powerfully. As we ran along the Flinders Highway, we faced a mighty headwind, which made it feel like running through and against a river.
We started longing for the still, wind-free days of the Barkly Highway. It was one of the great lessons of the Peace Run: be happy with – and even grateful for – whatever challenges come your way.
Sukhajata was inspired to run next to the railway tracks, which closely followed the road ... to an extent ...
... as they started to veer away from the road, he found himself having to find a dirt trail to go back on course, adding some distance to his journey.
Though we had fewer miles to run today, the headwind ensured that the quality of the challenge was very high. After our long days of running across the long highways, some of the aches and tiredness of the Peace Run have resurfaced ...
... Steve, after his heroic effort two days ago, announced (several times) that he would only run five kilometres. He then changed his mind, saying that he would do another five ... but into this wind, he was only able to walk.
In the end, he did his final five – running much faster, like a man possessed! You can’t keep a good Peace Runner down ...
Further ahead, our second boys team tells pretty much the same story ...
We thought we had an easy day in front of us with only 50km of running among five boys (Ion took a rest day today), but as soon as we stepped out of the van we faced an unexpected, yet formidable challenge in the form of a fierce headwind ...
... the strong wind blowing freely over the empty plain felt like you were running against a wall.
No need for this sign! – our pace invariably slowed to little more than a jog.
Watching the trees out of the van window – barely swaying – gave no hint of the intensity of the forward struggle we faced. But from the moment you stepped out on to the road, with the sound of the flame whooshing clamourously alongside your ear, it was all you could do to just get one foot in front of the other ...
We’re just praying the wind will abate on our big mileage day tomorrow!
Our Mongolian runner Bayarkhuu however was thrilled to run through the windy, open spaces, as the landscape today reminded him of his native country ...
He logged an easy 12 km today, getting ready for another 30+ day tomorrow.
All too soon our kms were over for the day and we found ourselves in Hughenden.
We still didn't know where we were staying tonight. But in no need to rush, we stopped in at the local Cafe for a coffee.
While we were here, Irina – our sweet Russian team member from Vladivostok – in her broken English explained that about 16 years ago she met two Australians on a train in Russia. She took them under her wing during this time and made friends with them. They had sent her a postcard when they returned to Australian and invited her to visit anytime to return the hospitality ... 16 years later still holding that postcard she asked if there is a way to find them. Wow what a task ...
... but Uddyogini is not one to shy away from the impossible and off she went. Getting out her phone she looked up their last name. It was unusual so there was hope we could find them. After a number of phone calls and long explanations of the story we got a hold of Irina's long-lost friends – who happen to live in the same suburb we will be staying when we come into Brisbane!
We swapped phone numbers and look forward to Irina meeting up with her old friends before she flys out of Brisbane back to Russia.
Soon afterwards, we got a phone call from the other team giving us instructions of where we would be camping tonight, still getting in with loads of time. We leasurely set up camp and relaxed before our big day tomorrow.
Our gratitude to Darryl and Jodie, managers of the Hughenden Allen Terry Caravan Park, where free campsites have been made available to us tonight by the Flinders Shire Council – and there is even a function where we will get to watch tonight's State of Origin decider!
