Good morning Vaasa! The Peace Runners cannot wait to meet the students.
Some students of Hietalahden and Suvilahden schools gather together and welcome the peace runners at the stadium.
Before carrying the Peace Torch around the track the students are reminded that peace starts in their hearts.
On your marks, get set...
Go! The students run with the peace runners around the stadium.
What a thrill leading the way holding the Peace Torch!
The students get to make a wish for Peace while holding the Peace Torch. Millions of people have injected it with prayers and wishes for Peace.
The Peace Run shows their appreciation to Hietalahden school with an artwork by Sri Chinmoy, presenting it to teacher Lasse Kaensaekangas.
Suvilahden school is gifted with a painting on World Harmony by the founder of the Peace Run. The class teacher Tartu Lyyski holds the certificate of appreciation for taking a step for peace.
Everyone say "Peaaaace!"
The Peace Runners run to the next school who is waiting for them in a special place.
They are gathered at the statue of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Peace Run.
Peace-loving is my heart. I wish, like my heart, For all nations to be Peace-loving. Sri Chinmoy
The children are ready to play a game and find out where the runners are from.
Some other children are playing in the park and are very excited to pass the Peace Torch to each other, sharing a heartfelt and joyful wish for peace.
Sharing the Peace Torch and feeling the Peace-Flame inside our hearts.
A smile for Peace with the statue of the Peace Run founder behind.
Happy Peace Runners! "Peace begins with me" is our motto.
Thank you Keskuskoulun for receiving us! The class teacher Nina Nordling receives the Peace Run certificate of appreciation and a piece of art painted by Sri Chinmoy.
Stretching our body before heading to the next school all together!
Niharika gives us a broad warm smile while Caslav carries the Peace Torch.
The 9th grade of Merenkurkun school welcomes us.
The students happily share the Peace Torch with each other and feel peace inside.
Together with the students and the teachers we have a peace walk around the beautiful surroundings of the school.
Teacher Sanna Jaervinen, who leads her students by example every day, holds the Peace Torch. Niharika presents her with a painting for peace by Sri Chinmoy. Thank you Merenkurkun school for receiving the Peace Run with open hearts!
Smiles for a group picture!
After having a delicious lunch, generously offered by Niharika, we meet Joonas, happy to hold the Peace Torch and to receive a beautiful t-shirt.
It's now time for our daily mileage. Olivia is the first to run towards Karijoki, finding her way to the meteorite, where the next runner takes off.
Off Roxana goes!
Olivia found her way to the meteorite with the help of Hanna. Thank you Hanna for your kindness and receptivity! The Peace Run is a collective project, which could not happen with each and every heart we meet on the way.
We are in the bull's eye of the Meteoria Soederfjaerden. Here a celestial body, or asteroid, impacted the Earth more than 520 million years ago. In a violent explosion a meteorite crater was formed, which in late historic time was given the name Soederfjaerden. Nowadays it is Finland's most important resting place for cranes. Thousands of cranes stop every autumn before migrating south.
Susan is an eager and enthusiastic peace runner who has just joined our team and will be with us on the Finnish leg.
Caslav is our Bosnian peace runner, taking in the stunning Finnish landscape during his run.
Sadanand is our team captain for this leg of the run.
We are incredibly grateful to the Finnish peace runners for organising our run through this soul-nourishing land.
We meet locals along the way with broad smiles and open hearts. They give us extreme joy and more energy to continue on the run.
