As we journey across the country and around the world, we come into contact with remarkable people who have inspired their communities, their cities and nations.
Our founder, Sri Chinmoy, loved to appreciate and honour people from all walks of life for their tireless efforts for a better world. The Peace Run seeks to continue this tradition, by recognising these remarkable people through our Torch-Bearer Award.
This Peace award is something you cannot train for – you cannot line up and run against the best athletes in the world – which makes it really special.
Elena Mayer
Silver medallist 10,000m, South Africa
Torch-Bearer award recipient, 2020
Do you know a Torch-Bearer?
Many of our honorees have been world-famous dignitaries and luminaries, but most of the people we honour are local heroes who are working to uplift their communities. If the Peace Run is coming to your area, perhaps you know someone who would be a worthy recipient!
We invite you to nominate someone in your area who you feel to be a worthy recipient. They may be well-known celebrities; business people; sportsmen or women; charity workers; doctors or nurses; schoolchildren - anyone who has worked selflessly to better the lives of others.
Canadian recipients
These are some of the well known Canadians who have recieved the Torch-Bearer award...
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean is a stateswoman who served as Canada's 27th Governor General from 2005 to 2010. Working in her early years as a journalist and broadcaster, Michaëlle Jean also served as a charity worker, mostly in the field of assisting victims of domestic violence. She is currently serving as the UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti and Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. The Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean joined by her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond are founders of Michaëlle Jean Foundation which collaborates with a network of 700 grassroots organizations to equip disadvantaged youth with the tools and drive to ignite change in their communities through the arts.
Peter Milliken
Canada's longest-serving Speaker of the House of Commons, holding office for 10 years. The Hon. Peter Milliken, has been a huge supporter of the Peace Run over the years. The Run was honoured to present Mr. Milliken with the Torch-Bearer award for his service to Canada.
Jean Augustine served as Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons, Member of Cabinet, School Principal, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Jean Augustine has offered heart-felt encouragement to the World Harmony Run over the years. She received the Torch-Bearer Award for her service to Canada and dedication to special causes through the Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund.
International Recipients
Carl Lewis
We were honoured that international Spokesman for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, Sudhahota Carl Lewis, was the first recipient of the Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award. A winner of 9 Olympic Gold Medals, Sudhahota, as he was affectionately called by Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy, has been a supporter of the Peace Run right since its inception in 1987.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Tutu, the Nobel Peace Laureate for 1984, sent this powerful message to the runners: "I am happy to support your Peace Run for justice, peace and reconciliation. The world must know that God wants us to live amicably as brothers and sisters, members of one family, the human family, God's family."
Thank you so much for this very special award which I shall treasure. Please pray for us. I wish to say that world has got very many ugly things—war and poverty and disease. But it also has beautiful things….
Sri Chinmoy was one of God’s very best fellow workers, working for harmony and peace, and we thank God for his tireless service. We pray for God’s Blessings on all who follow his teachings to plant the seeds of peace and harmony throughout the world.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Tegla Loroupe
Tegla is the United Nations Ambassador of Sport and former women's marathon world record holder. She was also instrumental in bringing the first refugee team to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Tegla has created a school with 450 students in Kenya as well as arranging Peace Races in her home region aimed at reconciling warring factions and encouraging warriors to give up their weapons. We are extremely proud that she is also our Peace Run spokesperson.
Here, Tegla is presented with the award by Cathy Oerter, founder of Art of the Olympians.
Meb Keflezighi
Meb Keflezighi is one of the most decorated and popular distance runners in American history. To date, he is the only athlete to have won the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and an Olympic medal.
It is great to be recognized by the Peace Run. Thank you for this huge honor.
Meb Keflezighi
receiving the Torch Bearer award, May 2018.
Dr. Davidson Hepburn
Hon. Dr. Davidson Hepburn serving as the President of the 35th General Conference of UNESCO met with us in his home country of the Bahamas.
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a woman whose sincerity and goodness are immediately felt by all those who have the good fortune to come into contact with her.
Hon. Mari Alkitiri, First Prime Minister, Timor-Leste
His Excellency Dr.Mari Alkatiri was the first Prime Minister Alkitiri of Timor Leste. He and a few other great national leaders started the independence movement for Timor Leste and founded FRETILIN. Through his tireless dedication, the world began to hear about the Timorese Leste people’s devastating sufferings and to take action.
Hon. Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister, Timor-Leste
His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão was the great leader of the people of Timor Leste during their quest for independence. As military head of FALANTIL he led the resistance with boundless courage and charisma. Now as Prime Minister his all-inclusive leadership is guiding Timor Leste to new and unimaginable heights.
Wasfia Nazreen, Bangladesh
Wasfia is an extremely dynamic and inspirational woman. From an early age she has been passionate about working for humanitarian causes. In 2011, to celebrate 40 years of Bangladeshi independence, Wasfia launched the “Bangladesh on Seven Summits” Campaign.
President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk
On May 14 2009 at the President's Palace in Ljubljana we met with President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk and had the honor of presenting him with the Torch-Bearer Award.
Hakuhō Shō Yokozuna
In Tokyo, Japan on April 22, 2010 at the Miyagino Sumo Stable we were able to present the current reigning Sumo Yokazuna Hakuhō Shō with the Torch-Bearer Award.
Speaker of the Parliament of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Slavica Djukic Dejanovic
Belgrade, Serbia, July 7th 2010: we were honored to present Prof. Dr. Slavica Đjukić Dejanović, the Speaker of Parliament, with the Torch Bearer Award.
