Today the Peace Run made it back on the road. Having spent a lovely few days in Canberra visiting schools and running in some incredible places it was nice to get the team slowly moving to Adelaide.
Over the weekend we have had a chance to catch up on some of the online media articles about the Peace Run, including this extraordinary article by Deputy Mayor Lisa Intemann in the Wauchope Gazette, and a foretaste of things to come in Shepparton in a few days from the Shepparton News.
To start the day, members of the Peace Run team offered our gratitude to our hosts Tom Landon-Smith and Alina McMaster, who along with their two young boys, Archie and Jackson, hosted the team during our stay in Canberra.
Tom and Alina are long-time friends of the Peace Run, having both received the Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award during the 2013 Australian Peace Run.
Archie proudly carried the torch to commence his school day at North Ainslie Primary School.
It was then Jackson's turn to lead us to his preschool.
An impromptu visit to Hackett Preschool ensued after a number of inquisitive parents and teachers were drawn by the spectacle of the lit torch.
As we had covered a large amount of the distance to Tumut over the long weekend, after our ceremony in the morning in Canberra our team drove most of the way to Tumut. The boys team covered the remaining 27km into town.
It was another great day for running! We were blessed with delightful sunshine and clear blue skies.
The excitement of the school ceremonies is balanced beautifully by the solace of the open road.
The girls team meanwhile lingered in Canberra a little longer, to arrive in time ...
... to visit Franklin Primary School.
As the team was waiting to enter we all heard the teachers ask the students to take a moment of silence before we arrived. This was something they did on a regular basis and was thrilling for all of us to experience.
Once the students had observed their few moments of silence the Peace Run team ran in to be greeted by the 300 students.
They were all very good at guessing all our countries ...
... and jumped at the chance to sing the World Harmony Run song with us – with actions, of course.
This school had been working on artwork for the exhibition in Rome in September and some of the artwork was on display around the hall for all of us to see.
Ella and Dylan, the two School Captains, came up to receive the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the school ...
... before all were led out to the oval to hold the Peace Torch ...
... run with us ...
... and spend some time asking the Peace Runners questions, such as:
… do you eat on the run?
…. why do you do the Peace Run?
…. how long do you run?
…. how do you transport your belongings?
…. is this your job?
After a wonderful time with the students and having collected all the artwork, our team departed.
Having not run today yet, the girls’ team decided to get a few kms done on tomorrow’s route.
Each of us took off for a nice fast 3 km to stretch our legs before the end of the day.
Having finished our running we made it back to our accommodation for the evening ...
Much gratitude to Amaroo Motel for hosting two of our Peace Runners. Lecia and Mandy warmly welcomed us.
Our wonderful host Fred at The Elms Motor Inn kindly offered a lovely family room for the remaining team members.
Meanwhile the boys team had a short run to our luxury accommodation for the night.
This playful white dog ran with us for quite a distance.
Does this one have a similar plan?
A big, big thank you to Deb at Elm Cottage who kindly hosted the boys' team in a delightful villa.
What a magnificent place! We felt like we had discovered Shangri-La.
