The world's largest peace torch relay.

Bulgaria

Participants:

7,000,000+

Miles run:

395,000+

Countries:

155

Since:

1987

In 2019, the Peace Run visited 12 African countries as part of a journey around the entire Southern Hemisphere

Live from the Road

30 December

Europe

Vatican City - Pecs, Hungary

More highlights from Europe 2024

21 December

United States

New York

Introducing the Peace Ride

25 October

French Polynesia

Punaauia - Papeete

From museum to government

12 November

Bulgaria

Burgas - Sofia

A dynamic day...

7 November

Niue

Alofi North - Hakupu

The final day in Niue

View all reports

What people say

In photographs of the Run I see people of different ages taking part...when we look at their smiling faces, we believe that a happy future is destined for our world.

President Mikhail Gorbachev

Nobel Peace Laureate

I feel that there shall come a time in the near future when the entire world will be inundated with peace and this world of ours will become a oneness-world-family-home.

Sri Chinmoy

Peace Run Founder

I believe that, after touching the Peace Torch and feeling the strength of its creator Sri Chinmoy, something begins, and from there, each of us can be a better person and make the world a better place.

Jorge Pina

Paralympian in marathon

Thank you for everything you are doing to bring people closer together. You are proving to us that taking part in this Run is not just exercise or sport. It is - I insist on it - a way of life.

Herman Van Rompuy

President of the European Union 2009-14

I know my students will remember all year long the meaning of the word peace and remembering that it starts within. It will be important for them for the rest of the school year and hopefully for the rest of their lives.

Daniela Jacobs

Principal, William Fox Elementary, Richmond, VA, USA

This is so important. We are with you in upholding peace this way, which brings solace to many people throughout the world. Peace is one of the things that is going to save the world.

President Nelson Mandela

Holding the torch with his wife Graça Machel and Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy

I believe those that come in contact with the Peace Run feel the harmony and take it with them into their daily life, with the desire to keep it present and make it grow. This is the true inspiration and the beginning of all positive change. It is the spark within us.

Joana Schenker

World Bodyboard Champion, 2017

I am pleased that the noble idea of sport, which came into being at the very dawn of our modern civilisation, is a bearer of our message. I wish every success to all who express it in this beautiful way.

Václav Havel

First president of the Czech Republic

This run reminds us of why we have come into this world. It proves once again that there is nothing impossible on planet Earth if we join all together, all people and nations.

Olesya Zykina

Russian Olympic medallist

I think Sri Chinmoy saw children as being an integral part of the Peace Run since day one. It means something so special to them...a lot of the kids that were 9, 10 or 11 years old are now in their forties, and they’re telling their kids, “Let’s go see the torch”.

Carl Lewis

9-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Peace Run spokesperson

Your work and service to humanity’s causes has a seen, but more importantly, an unseen value that elevates the consciousness of each torch holder, as cumulative heart-hopes bring universal oneness.

Cathy Oerter

Founder, Art of the Olympians

I have found it very striking and nourishing to spend time with you all — people of different ages, different upbringings, different cultures, but striving in harmony for the same forward-looking goals. My dream is that this message of oneness, transformation and peace will forever thrive and blossom.

Ambassador Davidson Hepburn

President, UNESCO General Conference, 2009-11

When I held the torch I felt all the good people in the world, and all the peace in the world - combined together in the torch.

Marco, Croatia

8 years old

When you catch the spirit of what we’re doing, that makes you a torch bearer too - because someone’s load has been lifted by you.

Pat Wright

Founder, Total Experience Gospel Choir
Peace Run Torch-Bearer award recipient

Sri Chinmoy gave the world the Peace Run with its flaming Peace Torch which I have held many times. I invite each one of you take the torch of peace and run and run and run. Together, we can and together we must run fast, very fast to bring peace to every corner of the globe!

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Nobel Peace Laureate

You bring to us a lot of love, a lot of sensation. I almost cry when you run in to our school. We have a world with so many wars and you bring a little faith to us.

Maria, teacher in Mexico

The Peace Run carries this dream: through running we can unite people in the whole world! When I see this torch of the Peace Run, it symbolises hope, love, light and caring for me.

Tegla Loroupe

Former marathon world record holder
Peace Run spokesperson

O dreamers of peace, come.
Let us walk together.

O lovers of peace, come.
Let us run together.

O servers of peace, come.
Let us grow together.

Sri Chinmoy
Peace Run founder

On April 10, 2014, this poem was translated and read out in 206 languages, setting a Guinness World Record.