The Peace Run is in perpetual motion. Transforming as we go along, today we have seen a change in the Run as several of our team have left us to be replaced by several more. After weeks, and in some cases months of running and sharing their yearning for a more peaceful world, Kaspars (Latvia), Prachar (Australia), Abhinabha (Holland), Samalya (Germany), Aion (New Zealand) and Roos (Holland) returned to their respective countries with one or two blisters and hearts full of Peace to apply the lessons learned to their everyday lives. The Peace Run Torch is still burning brightly, however, and we were joined by new friends in the shape of Bahumanya (UK), Odgiiv and Purevdorj (Mongolia), Elsa (Argentina) and Jaival (Ukraine).
Wednesday found the Run making its way through the centre of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, the Sunshine State. Bahumanya turned quite a few heads as he began our day running through the super-cool South Bank with its man-made beach and many great cafes and restaurants ...
He must have made quite an impression on onlookers because they called local radio station ABC to tell the on-air presenter, Greg, that they had seen a guy running through town carrying a flaming torch. We found this out when our runner reached McDonalds, and ...
... Shane Duffy stopped us and made a call to the radio station, whereupon Bahumanya was interviewed live on air by Greg about the Run, its history and the founder, Sri Chinmoy. It was awesome to be able to speak to so many Brisbanites at once.
Our first school was the Woodridge State High School. As soon as we began to bump into the students and staff, we were all immediately struck by the friendliness and openness of all at the school.
The principal Mr John Norfolk told us that a high percentage of the students were refugees from all over the world, making Woodridge State High School possibly one of the most international schools we have visited.
We were grateful to have present Cr Russell Lutton, Deputy Mayor of Logan City Council.
The students were extremely enthusiastic and the international flavour truly enhanced a memorable visit.
They were rightly proud to tell us about a 50km race which Ramona (pictured) and a few of the students had run. We were all impressed! Ramona is an English teacher at Woodridge and has been at the school for 7 years from her native Romania ...
... she had quickly spotted Ion’s Romanian language when we had asked for everyone to guess our nationalities from a few phrases in our native tongue. Usually, he’s one of the more difficult to guess.
It was a pleasant and unusual experience for us to meet a school where there were more nationalities in the class than in our team. Well done Woodridge State High School. Peace has begun with you!
From the school, our boys team didn't have much further to run ...
... we're all happy to Odgiiv from Mongolia on the team, as he is a noted ultra-marathon runner.
The girls team had earlier left Brisbane in time to arrive for our visit to the Mother Teresa Primary School in Ormeau ...
We were greeted enthusiastically by the students and started with the Peace Run DVD ...
... they were excited to learn the World Harmony Run song and joined in to perform the song with us.
Principal Peter Kerrins was our kind host and was happy to have the team speak to the kids ...
... after which we all had the chance to pass around the Peace Torch ...
... and run around the oval.
We departed our visit with the Mother Teresa School and began our light day of running ...
It was the first day of running for our three new teammates, Elsa from Argentina, Avanayaha and Uugantsetseg from Mongolia.
Since we had only 30km to run today, we teamed up and enjoyed each other’s company during most legs.
We were back in Brisbane this evening for one last night enjoying the hospitality here. Our gratitude to Steve ...
... who hosted our entire running team for dinner.
