The Peace Run was represented by two teams this morning at various Park Runs in Brisbane. The guys headed to the South Bank Park Run where they were greeted by race director Gareth on a beautiful morning.
Gareth gave an eloquent introduction to the 5km runners, detailing the length of the Peace Run (3497km) and that the run represents humanity's aspiration for a better world.
Runners enjoyed holding the torch, as the peace runners joined the 5km run.
Meanwhile the Peace Run girls team lent their support to the Stone's Corner Park Run, where they were well received.
Ian and Cassandra gave us a friendly introduction.
All the runners were encouraging us as we ran the 5km. There were babies, dogs and many children and runners from beginners to elite and many held the torch.
Many local runners were happy to hold the Peace Torch, some snapping selfies and happy to have their pictures taken with the torch.
Atul Arora, our Queensland Peace Run Coordinator, cooked pancakes in the park for the team ...
... and then Team Captain, Amalendu Edelsten started the run to the Gold Coast.
Skateboarders, Japanese schoolgirls and others were enthralled and delighted to share in the fun, talking and delighting in holding the torch. An ultra marathoner recognised the team as he just completed an event at our sister organisation, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in Canberra. He didn't have running shoes so Daniel and he ran a km together barefoot.
The girls team meanwhile had driven 25km further on ...
... and then started to run south.
Both teams met up at the Southport Aquatic Centre, where Kash held the torch.
The girls then ran barefoot along the beach towards the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary ...
... where we arrived just in time for feeding time.
A mixture of water and honey is poured onto plates, which visitors hold aloft, waiting for the first brave Lorakeet to drink some of the 'nectar'.
Soon a whole flock descends from the tall trees, crowding around the plates and surprising visitors by perching on their hats and hands.
To celebrate our first day of running, the team enjoyed a wonderful meal at Govindas, a vegetarian restaurant. Thanks to Brisbane local and Peace Runner, Atul Arora for shouting the team a wonderful meal.
Not to be out-done, Rathin Boulton, team runner and head chef at My Rainbow-Dreams vegetarian cafe in Canberra, treated us with blueberry and passion fruit cheesecake.
Enjoying the beautiful Pacific Ocean, the Peace Run team could read about where they will be heading in the coming week in these recent online articles in The Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun and the Wauchope Gazette.
