Today was to prove an auspicious one for our Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run team.
It all started with the boys heading down to Sapphire Beach to check out the view...
... and if reports are to believed, here they are viewing actual dolphins (yes, a photo of the dolphins would have been preferable).
The whole team then enjoyed a big pancake cook up for breakfast after which we headed off to our first engagement at the Coffs Harbour City Council.
The team was all smiles for the cameras of NBN News Mid North Coast, whose crew put together an excellent report for their evening news.
The event had been well advertised.
The warm and open-hearted Mayor of Coffs Harbour, Denise Knight, greeted the torch, with representatives from the fire, police and SES services.
Mayor Knight praised the positive message of the Peace Run, voicing her concern that 'the whole world can be destroyed by negativity.'
Councillor Michael Adendorrf received the Peace Run Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Council.
Mayor Denise Knight had nominated Bill Roffey to receive the Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award, for his years of exemplary service to the local SES. Mark Wyborn accepted the award on Bill's behalf, from the Peace Run's Animesh Harrington.
Unmilan Howard was a core member of the running team of the original Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run in 1987, which covered the same route and distance as this year's event – only in reverse – and in 3 weeks instead of 6!
After enjoying the yummy selection of biscuits ...
... we started running to Urunga.
On the way another TV crew joined us – this time from 7Prime TV – and we all became movie stars for a little while! Here Claire is interviewing Nurari. Their fantastic report can be viewed online – the Peace Run story starts at 17.33 in the bulletin.
We crossed the beautiful River Kalang with its turquoise waters and ran ...
... to Urunga Primary School.
The class KW had made a Peace symbol from colourful hand drawings. Jade and Luka proudly presented their class' artwork to the team.
Malayna and Matthew accepted the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of their school.
Amalendu seeking The Way in a troubled world.
The team meet with many inspiring people on the road. Here Helena greets us and offers her well wishes for our journey.
Yasmin was delighted to hold the Peace Torch and enjoy a brief chat with Danny from South Africa and Nikolaus from Austria.
We enjoyed a little time at the river with the pelicans ...
... and had to run a fast 15km ...
... to reach Macksville Public School.
Mayor Rhonda Hoban of Nambucca Shire greeted the runners.
The students presented some inspiring art work they had created for the occasion.
Lily and Ayden were nominated to accept the Certificate of Appreciation.
The school dedicated a native flowering tree as a Peace Tree.
In the final section to Kempsey we ran along the tree lined Macleay Valley Way.
We were treated to a field of grazing kangaroos ...
... and the sun setting over the mountains of Kumbatine National Park on the western horizon.
Our gratitude to Russell and Narelle of the Park Drive Motel in Kempsey for their warm-hearted generosity in accommodating our entire team for the night.
