Our starts are getting earlier and earlier! We left at 6.30am this morning and started running from Grey's Point, through the Royal National Park.
We feel so grateful to Caroline Southwell, who ran with us and guided us along the trails for 15 km.
The nature was calming and nourishing. Caroline's positive presence gave us strength.
Then, deep in the bush of the Royal National Park, the Peace Run boys team met with a wonderful local, Stephen Redfern. Stephen is an excellent ultra distance runner who guided us throughout the whole day.
Stephen took the runners through the most beautiful stretch of the Peace Run so far. The forest was glorious ...
... and the views uplifting.
The Team’s first visit was to Otford Public School.
We sang the Peace Run and World-Harmony Run songs, both composed by the founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chinmoy.
Spontaneously the children and teachers sang their school song for the runners. The Principal, Bec Stone, received a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the school.
Of course everyone got a chance to hold the Torch.
Otford was so beautiful, surrounded by nature and full of kind-hearted people.
Our girls team meanwhile drove back to Sydney Airport to collect Kanyaka from Bali, who had just landed. Happiness and joy immediately blossomed in us as she joined the team. Kanyaka's first engagement was to join the Team for the next school ...
Stephen Redfern navigated the runners to Coledale Public School. The children made an avenue for us to run through. The children guessed all the runners’ country of origin correctly and won the “country guessing game”, a sine qua non of any Peace Run school ceremony. Sadly, most of our photos from this school have been lost from our camera. If they can be retrieved they will be added to this report as soon as possible.
The school has a special whale-watching platform on their oval and had seen whales already this morning! The whales migrate North in Winter. With the ocean in the background the children ran with the lit torch on their school’s oval.
There is no stopping Stephen! He ran 60.6 km with the torch today at a good pace and looking just as cheerful at the end of the day as in the morning when we met him. Stephen you are an incredible runner! Thank you for running with the team and visiting four schools today!
At Austinmer Public school the kids saw a video clip of the Peace Run in many different countries.
Nurari from England had a “moment of silence” with the children to feel love and happiness in their hearts.
The Team captain Amalendu further explained about the ideals of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.
Before the students returned to class they offered their wish for peace while holding the torch.
Evie with the Certificate of Appreciation.
Last but not least, Thirroul Public School warmly welcomed the Peace Run in the afternoon. Coordinating teacher Mitch Fagerstrom introduced the team.
The children sang the World-Harmony Run song.
Its fun to do it with actions!
Stephen tells the kids about where the team ran today.
Zoe and Germaine accepted the Certificate and read a quote from the founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chinmoy.
Everyone smile for the big group photo!
At Flagstaff Lighthouse the day concludes and we say farewell to Stephen. Thanks for sharing your love of running and showing us the exquisite beauty of your “backyard”.
Our gratitude to the delightful Belmore All-Suite Hotel in Wollongong for so generously accommodating our entire team tonight!
