Today was a day of just pure running. As the Peace Run had to make it into Canberra to have the opportunity to visit schools before the long weekend, we had ‘missed’ a few km. Today was the day to backtrack – just a little – to run the Peace Torch in from Bungendore to Canberra. We were an all-girls team today.
Altankhuu from Mongolia is the latest member to join our team, having been held up by a delayed flight from Beijing. The Mongolians form by far the strongest contingent on this year's Peace Run team in Australia – thank you Mongolia!!
We were very lucky also to include Tanya Craig from Canberra coming out with us to lend her ultra–marathon legs and local knowledge to the team. No GPS was needed with Tanya’s expert navigation: our team flew into Canberra!
Another local ultra runner Ann (far right) also joined the team along the way, pictured here with her daughter Hana and team mates. Last time we met with Ann and Hannah was at Uluru for the start of the Peace Run in 2014, when Ann ran a stint with the Torch with Uluru as a backdrop!
Arriving in Canberra we took to the cycle pathways ...
... and beaches alongside beautiful Lake Burley Griffin.
Sharing the message of the Peace Run is done in so many ways. The visits to schools and official ceremonies are a very significant way for so many people to express their love for peace and international friendship through the Peace Run.
Today it was on another level. Peace is something that spreads from person to person and today, with the simple pounding of the pavement into Canberra, you felt this. Each and every person we met along our route who happened upon us, had this opportunity to share their own aspirations for peace, some people just getting joy from seeing the Peace Torch.
Brian has participated in many events organised by the local Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in Canberra.
Peace is something very grand and so so important, but peace is also something delicate and gentle: cultures or languages do not bind it and if it wants to be felt and spread it will just do that. Today was a day of the Peace Torch shining its light on anyone who happened to be on the path we took into Canberra. Was it coincidence, or did the Peace Torch call forth these wonderful enthusiastic people who all added their enthusiasm and joy to this wonderful endeavour?
